10 Tips for purchasing Organic Food on a Budget

The first step is to stop depending on conventional supermarkets. Limiting yourself to the organic section or the natural food section of your local grocery store is a great way to pay too much for your healthier food selections. These days there are tons of places to buy Organic food in Los Angeles. In addition to supermarkets, you can find them at health food stores, specialty stores, cooperatives, gourmet delis, farmers markets, community-supported agricultural programs, and convenience stores.

If you don’t shop around, chances are you’re paying too much for your organic food selections. And while most people are willing to pay a little more for organic food, few people can afford to pay sky-high prices week after week. And let’s face it, organic food can be quite expensive. A $ 1 conventional food could cost twice as much in the organic version. Or you could pay a lot less for an organic product, maybe just pennies more than the conventional price. Much depends on the food, where you live, where you go shopping and the growing season.

“If you live in a place like California, you’re in luck, because organic and conventional products are priced very similarly,” says Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic food Los Angeles Consumers Association. Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains are grown without most conventional pesticides and without fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients. Organic meat and dairy products do not contain antibiotics or growth hormones. Many food buyers are willing to pay a little more for organic food simply because they know its superior nutrition and like the taste. “You can tell the difference,” says Cummins. “Fresh, local organic produce is the latest.”

1. Do some research.

You may have a lot more organic food options in your community than you think. All it takes maybe a little research to seek out Organic food Los Angeles associations and organizations in your state are good places to start. Just type in your state name and the word “organic” into a search engine and see what comes up. Be sure to check

2. Shop at farmers’ markets.

Farmer’s markets are a great source of fresh local produce. A freshly harvested tomato from a local farm tastes better than a tomato that has traveled thousands of miles before hitting the supermarket shelf. “It’s going to be cheaper and fresher at a farmers market,” says Cummins. If you don’t see a sign that says the product is organic, be sure to ask. Some farmers may be transitioning to organic farming, however, they have not yet obtained full certified approval. The key to getting good deals at farmers’ markets is asking lots of questions. Ask about misshapen products you can buy at a discount. Ask about discounts for buying in bulk. “Always ask what tastes best. They know it. They will tell you,” says Jesse Ziff Cool, author of “Your Organic food Los Angeles Cooking: The Essential Guide to Selecting and Cooking Organic Food.” “They’re going to take a melon and say, ‘Try this.’

3. Buy a share during a community-supported agriculture program.

When you buy a share in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, you pay a portion of the operating expenses of a local farm. In return, you will receive weekly boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables in the next harvest. “You can’t get any fresher. It’s sourced straight from the farm, sometimes it’s picked that morning,” says Ruth Katz, executive director of Just Food in New York City.”It’s usually organic and it’s far more delicious because it is so fresh. And you’re supporting local farms.” A share in a CSA costs between $ 300 and $ 400 upfront during a 24-26 week growing season. Many CSA programs accept weekly or monthly payments, and you may be able to buy a half share rather than a full share. Check websites like the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center and LocalHarvest to find a CSA near you.

4. Join a cooperative.

A food cooperative is a member-owned business that offers food and other products to its members at a discount. Many of the products on the shelves of the cooperatives are organic and many of the products come from local family farms. Joining a cooperative is often as easy as signing up and paying some fees. Cooperative members who volunteer to work can get additional discounts on any product they purchase. To find a cooperative near you, visit websites such as Cooperative Grocer and LocalHarvest. If there is no cooperative in your area, you can always start your own. A brochure from the Cooperative Grocers Information Network shows you how.

5. Join a shopping club.

A shopping club is a great way to get the organic food you want cheaply. At a shopping club, you may be able to get 30 to 40 percent off the retail price. Members of the shopping club buy food and other organic products in bulk and then divide the stash. “These shopping clubs are America’s best-kept secrets,” says Cummins. Ask a cooperative near you about starting a shopping club with your friends and neighbors. Some cooperative supermarkets will allow you to order directly from their store. Ask a local health food store where they get their products and then contact the dealer directly. “Some distributors deliver to individuals or groups of individuals who have a minimum order quantity,” says Katherine DiMatteo, Senior Advisor for the Organic Trade Association.

6. Buy in bulk.

Whether you’re shopping at a health food store, grocery store, or cooperative, buying in bulk is a great way to stretch your money on food. For beans, grains, lentils, and nuts, go straight to the bulk containers. Just confirm you’ve got a cool, dry place in your kitchen to store your dry goods for a couple of months. You can save storage space by dividing your stash with a friend. Be sure to bring your calculator with you when shopping in bulk. Not all items you can buy in bulk are worth it. Do the math.

7. Buy big in season.

The best time to shop for an organic fruit or vegetable is at the height of its season .” As the season progresses, there are more products and the price tends to go down, sometimes dramatically,” says DiMatteo. “This is the best time to buy.” And that’s the best time to buy big. Load up on all of your favorite organic fruits and vegetables at very affordable prices. This is also a good time to bargain at a local farmer’s market. You may be able to push prices further down by buying in bulk from a local farmer. It never hurts to ask. If they have to move products that day, you may receive discounted bulk orders. You can share your reward with friends and family or save it all and freeze your leftovers.

8. Embrace the big freeze.

Your freezer is sweet for quiet TV dinners and frozen pizzas. Have you bargained a lot for lots of organic fruits and vegetables? Freeze your delicious leftovers and take them out as treats for the winter. “Buy it and freeze it,” DiMatteo says. “That may be very inexpensive thanks to having that product at an inexpensive price throughout the year.”

9. Grow yours.

If you are really serious about Organic food near me produce from the garden, why not plant your own? Seeds are available from community seed savings groups or health food stores. Start small. Carrots, radishes, and beets are easy to grow. “Start slow,” says Cool. “Just do a few things at a time.”

10. Buy online

Can’t find a local source for organic food you want? Do not give up. Jump online. You may be able to order the organic foods you want online. The Organic Consumers Association’s GreenPeople directory is a good place to start your online search for affordable organic foods. A summary of additional organic directories is also available on the site. “There are many deals online which will deliver what you would like, at great prices,” says DiMatteo. “Buy wisely.”