10 Ways to Shop Organic

Finding the time and money to eat healthy can be challenging. Here are a few ideas and resources to help you locate and prepare more local, fresh and chemical-free food. 

1) Buy from your local farmers' market. There are many great deals at farmers' markets. You can find local meats, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and many other goodies in one place. The food is fresh and grown locally and you have direct access to the farmers, a great time to ask them how their raise their animals or grow their produce. Markets usually start in May but the best selection becomes available as the growing season gets into full swing. Farmers' markets usually last through September in this area. Plus, if you use EBT (SNAP/Food Stamps), many Markets will accept them. The Lakes Area Growers Market in Brainerd, the Pine River Market Square in Pine River, and the Onamia Area Farmers Market are great places to get started locally.

2) Buy into a CSA. A CSA is a community-supported agriculture program - participants buy a share of the farm's yield. Every week you will get a box of fresh produce (often delivered directly to your door!). CSA share boxes are a great way to experience a variety of produce items. Some CSA programs provide recipes and cookbooks with their produce in an effort to give the consumer fun ways to prepare their food. Some local CSAs are from The Farm on St. Mathias in Brainerd, the Farm of Plenty in Randall, and Island Lake Farm just east of Brainerd.

3) Join a food Co-op. From the outside, many co-ops look like other grocery stores, since a co-op provides products and services like their conventional counterparts. It's what goes on behind the scenes that makes the difference. A co-op exists to serve its members. Unlike conventional grocery stores, co-op members are also the owners. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the buisness decisions your co-op makes. Additionally, co-ops frequently source local products, employ knowledgeable staff and offer products that may be tough to locate at a mainstream grocery. There are several good local co-ops. Crow Wing County Food Co-op in Brainerd, Harmony Co-op in Bemidji, and Good Earth Food Co-op in St. Cloud will be good places to get started.

4) Buy in bulk from local farmers. What do I mean buy "in-bulk?" For grass fed beef, you can buy a quarter side of beef, which equals about 1/4 of a cow. From this quarter side, you can get approximately 40-50 pounds of ground beef, 6-7 T-bones, 5-6 porterhouses, 10-15 roasts, ribs, soup bones, if you want them; round steaks, sirloins, and ribeyes. Ask around, to get the best price with the raising practices you want. Prices range from $2.25-$5.00 a pound. Buying chickens locally can also save you money. If you look in grocery stores, organic chicken can cost up to $10.00 a pound, buying directly from the farmer could save you half that cost per pound. If you want to see where you can buy local, check out the Minnesota Grown website.

5) Shop in Season. Organic produce can vary significantly in price depending on when you buy it. For example, organic strawberries in the spring are relatively cheap at $3.50 a pound when compared to almost $8.00 a pound in the winter. By shopping in season, you can save a lot of money. Like I said, the local farmers markets get started in May, but the bulk of the produce becomes available as the growing season gets warmer. For instance, vegetables that are available early in the season are the leafy crops, such as kale, radishes, and lettuce. Common late season produce are gourds and apples. Plan accordingly! Also - look to pick-your-own locations for berries, apples, pumpkins and more.



 6) Always Comparison Shop. While this idea isn't exclusive to shopping organic, it's a great way to stretch your food budget. In my area, I can get a 3 pound bag of organic potatoes for $7.99 and just down the street about 4 miles I can get the same bag of potatoes for just $3.99, It is important to comparison shop to get the best deals.

7) Create your Meal Plan Around the most Affordable Produce, Meats, and Sale Items. Organic does go on sale, especially when it's in season. Some delicious meals can be made with a few ingredients. Let your tastebuds have an adventure and try new things - like fresh herbs!

 

8) Grow your own Organic Food. I have my own little garden that produces much of my families produce. You can grow a lot of produce with just a little time and a very little space. When growing your own food, you control how you fertilize, deal with pests and which seeds you choose. By growing your own organic (chemical free) food, you can save money! It is really rewarding to bring your own food from garden to table. Last season, I grew baby red potatoes in my front flower bed! This year I'm trying tomatoes.



9) Preserve your Food - When it is Season. Preserving food when in season is a great way to trim the grocery budget. Did you know that peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and many other foods can be frozen whole, sliced, or chopped? You can also learn how to can, dry and pickle your own food. It may take a little time up front, but it will save you money down the road. We've got some tips on how to start preserving your own produce.

10) Transition Gradually to Organic Food. It takes time to make permanent changes in life. You are much more likely to succeed if you slowly make this transition. Start with foods that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue, like apples. Here is a list of the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen" - great information on chemicals on your food. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/