How To Go Organic On A Budget

In my Part I “Why I Went Organic” blog, I addressed the win-win reasons why it was a no-brainer lifestyle choice for me. While many believe the process to be too challenging, it really is much easier than you might think. Worries about costs and accessibility are a thing of the past and the journey has become a lot easier. Here in Part II “Going Organic on a Budget” I will help show the way for those that are not there already!

Shop Around

Farmers Markets

Picking up organic produce at your community farmer’s market is always a great choice and has been the traditional method for finding sustainably grown foods. Try saving some extra money by shopping later in the day when vendors often offer discounts on remaining items.

Grocery Stores

Organic products are finding more presence in major stores across the country. From large cities to rural counties, grocers are allocating much more space to certified organic produce. Leaders in sustainability initiatives like Kroger and Albertson’s have also established private label brands that offer entire product lines including foods, cleaners and detergents, health and beauty care and paper goods which proudly carry the USDA Organic Seal at competitive prices.

how to eat organic on a budget

Online Retailers

Don’t forget how easy e-commerce makes it to find literally anything! Sites such as Luckyvitamin.com, Vitacost.com and Walmart.com offer fantastic selections of organic products (including our amazing USDA Organic Certified cleaners and detergents). Who doesn’t love finding the best bargains for organic while shopping via lap top on the sofa (and binge watching the latest on Netflix)?!

Find The Best Deals

The availability of affordable organic products is on the rise thanks to customers demanding healthier and responsibly manufactured options. Competitively priced Certified Organic items can be found at nearly every national grocery chain, and discount players like Lidl and Costco are now rapidly growing their selections, making it even easier to find good deals.

As always, shop smart. Exploring different options—like new cuts of meat that are on sale, opting for frozen produce when it’s off season, or trying out new brands—can shave dollars off your bill. A good rule of thumb is to never buy anything when it’s full price, unless it’s already less than its competitors.

Although a 2015 study conducted by Consumer Reports found that on average, organic foods were 47 percent more expensive, the overall range was huge and you might just be surprised at what you can save! According to the study, some organic product was actually cheaper by as much as 13 percent. Check out these price points below to see how organic and conventional prices stacked up at our visit to a local Harris Teeter:

Sign Up For A Meal Kit Subscription

For those who feel totally lost on how to buy organic ingredients and then turn them into delicious, affordable meals should consider joining one of the many available meal kit subscriptions. Companies like HelloFresh.com and SunBasket.com have organic meal plans that ship directly to your door and provide super easy recipe guides within each box. Most companies also offer a huge discount for your first order which makes it such an attractive option. Not only can they get you one step closer to living an organic lifestyle, but they take the stress out of meal preparation after a long day of work or driving the kids around town for school and activities.

Appreciate The Journey

As with all purposeful changes in life, going organic is a process. It likely will not happen overnight and it will take ongoing consideration. The first step is to set the intention of living a sustainable lifestyle. After that baby steps can be made each and every day to make more thoughtful purchases to support the initiative that the whole world can benefit from. Always be patient with yourself, and most importantly be proud of your efforts and commitment!