Eating healthy, and eating organic, can be expensive. But this shouldn’t mean that you have to compromise! Eating organic does not have to break the bank, it can simply be a matter of careful planning and good strategies to find affordable options.
Here are some tips for saving money when it comes to buying organic.
Shop Seasonal and Local
Shopping for seasonal foods is usually cheaper, and you still find that the foods are fresher and more flavorful.
Look for foods at farms and farmer’s markets, which can often have good deals and is a great way to support local businesses.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Consider a CSA, which is also seasonal and local. This is a share of a local farm, and you get a weekly box of produce, fruit, or whatever you have signed up for. This is economical in the long run, and is a good way to try produce you might not normally use (e.g. swiss chard or garlic scapes).
Buy in Bulk
Bulk purchasing can be a great way to save money. Look for discounts on things that you use a lot of, like canned beans.
Coupons
Be sure to check for coupons either through your grocery store, or through brands that you like.
Meal Plan
Plan out your meals ahead of time so you don’t let produce go to waste. Throwing away organic food can be a huge waste!
Grow Your Own
Start an herb or vegetable garden. This can be a fun experience and also allows you to save on produce.
Prioritize the Dirty Dozen
If you still have to compromise on purchasing some traditional produce, keep in mind the Dirty Dozen. This way you can prioritize which foods to purchase, and which to avoid.
I love buying from local farms… do fresh and no added chemicals, which is great!
Thank you for this. I have been wanting to buy more organic food. It tastes much better. I love when I find coupons.
Great practical tips! I especially love the advice to shop seasonal and local – fresher, tastier, and budget-friendly. Plus, the bulk buying recommendation is spot-on for stocking pantry staples affordably.
Your practical strategies—like shopping seasonal and local, joining a CSA, buying in bulk, clipping coupons, meal-planning to cut waste, and even growing your own produce—make choosing organic feel both manageable and empowering. This thoughtful blend of tactics not only helps stretch the dollar, but also encourages a more intentional and sustainable way of living.
Great tips! I would add investing in a pressure cooker. It’s a great tool for canning when you can buy organic produce in bulk, like tomatoes, green beans, and the like.
Seeing this just at the right time. Been having so much trouble lately with meal planning with the rising costs, especially while living with a chronic illness.
We’ve been buying local and seasonal for years and wouldn’t have it any other way. Local, seasonal produce often tastes much better than out-of-season options.
We love visiting farmers markets or we have a local garden centre that produces a lot of their own produce which we love. Always much nicer than the supermarkets
I love heading out to my local farmers market and picking up fresh tomatoes, corn, peaches, etc. They have some of the best-tasting fruits and veggies!
I try to buy organic, but it can be expensive, which is why I’m grateful for your article’s suggestions! I think if I meal plan better, then I can prioritize what to buy and from what market. Also, shopping the sales at Whole Foods or Sprouts.
I don’t tend to buy organic as it is so expensive. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Buying in bulk is so important if you have the space for it! I think that meal planning really makes sure you don’t waste anything at all.