A LOOK AT THE MONEY
So you have chosen to eat Organic, at least some of the time but you are concerned about costs. Generally, Organic Food is more expensive because it is more labour intensive (remember no pesticides, chemical fertilizers or drugs), Organic certification is expensive, Organic feed is costly, Organic farms are often smaller and there are usually no government subsidies. Let’s take a look at how we can make eating organic worthwhile and affordable.
The general rule of thumb is this: Buy and eat organic for food products that are eaten raw, whole or with its peel, or those with thin peels. Examples include:
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Go for Organic eggs, meat and dairy if you can afford to.
However, food products with thick peels that are removed are usually less affected by pesticides. So you may not always need to buy Organic for some of these:
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OTHER COST-SAVING TIPS:
- Buy in season: Fruits and vegetables in season are not only cheaper but usually tastier too.
- Compare prices: Check out and compare the prices in various grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
- Shop at farmers’ markets: You may find the freshest produce and best prices if there is a farmers’ market in your area.
- Join a food co-op or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm: They offer lower prices to members and the option of purchasing shares of produce in bulk from a local farm, respectively.
MY TAKE: Knowing when, where and how to buy Organic is the sure way to go!
RESOURCES:
Organic Foods: What you need to know about eating organic
Let’s talk about… organic farming
Organic farming – helping the environment, thanks to the community