Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot of talk about how “organic can cost more, but it is worth it.” These articles tend to come from a position of privilege with a presumption that increasing your expense on food is a simple action. We know that isn’t the case for the vast majority. Our TR family lives on a closely regulated budget, and we can’t increase it by the smallest increment without feeling the effects elsewhere.
We shop smart. We shop sales. We coupon. Shopping smart doesn’t somehow train us to resist organic. It is the only way that most of us are able to put food on the table for our families.
We know that organic and green products and foods are the better choice. Embracing this fact has nothing at all to do with rewiring our brain or freeing our thought processes. It simply boils down to having the money. Almost all organic food from the store is more expensive than conventional food, and it probably always will be.
So we need to be able to figure out how to make organic choices without annihilating our budgets. Can it be done? We say, yes! But with a caveat! Shifting your family to organic foods while sticking to a budget is a process. It takes a while, but we hope to help break it down into manageable steps.
Some starting tips:
- If you are lucky to be near a Farmer’s Market, visit! Prices tend to be closer to the counterparts offerings. But be sure to ask questions as everything at the Market won’t be organic.
- CSAs – Do your research so that you are sure to pick a participation level that meets your needs and budget. But if you can plan ahead for this seasonal expense, you’ll save money on your produce in the long run. Some health insurance plans will reimburse you for a part of the cost of a CSA!
- Shop around. Yes, initially this takes time and requires note taking. But it is the best way to determine where you’ll get the most bang for your buck: supermarkets, Trader Joes, Co-ops, Costco. Price compare all of the organic stock!
- Change some small but important things that are practically, if not entirely, free and help you to move towards a more green lifestyle: eliminate plastic shopping bags, use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, compost your leftovers.
- Buy organic – FROZEN! Frozen foods retain most of their nutrients and are a more affordable way to purchase organic fruits and veggies!
Again, we know the benefits of going organic. Affording it is a struggle we also know and live. Together, perhaps we can find ways to travel this path in small, affordable steps.
We’ll be posting on this topic as part of a new TR series. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks to going green and organic!