Stretching Your Wallet for Organics

Now more than ever we are being forced to take an in depth look at our spending. Often times one of the major purchases that comes under scrutiny is the grocery bill for a raw food enthusiast. ((((((STICKER SHOCK!))))) Did you just put a down payment on a car?! Nope, that’s just your groceries for the week.

All jokes aside, for some it can be a little daunting to justify their grocery bill each week or every other week, at a time when it seems like our money isn’t going as far as it used to. Our system is backwards. You can get some mystery meat on a bun that doesn’t even break down over time and provides you with little nutritional value for under a dollar. All the fast food restaurants have dollar menus, but is that really food? And what does it do for you? Yet the price tag on the good, high quality, all natural produce can sometimes have you wondering whether or not its worth it, especially if you’re a newbie!

But do not fear, we would like to offer some suggestions to help get your wallet off life support. Also, if you have some creative suggestions to share, feel free to post them as a reply.

1. Shop local. A simple search on the internet where you place your city name and the words “farmer’s market” into the search bar will yield some positive results. Farmer’s markets are a great way to load up on local produce at prices that are easy on the wallet. If you can’t find a market near you, search for organic farms near by that allow customers to pick their own fruits and veggies. Invite some friends or family members out to pick fresh produce or select fresh produce from the market, and then end it with a group potluck where you prepare a fabulous meal together.

2. Don’t buy everything from the pricey organic market. There are huge chains of market stores that offer fair trade and organic produce. We think these stores are great and are so excited to be in these stores that often times our grocery basket is filled up with way more than what we intended to buy. Instead of going to a pricey organic market for all your food needs, consider making it a treat to go once a month. And when you do go, stick to a budget (bring a calculator if you have to so you can ask yourself “can I afford that?”). It’s okay to include on your list “one new produce to try, under $3.00.” Even regular super market chains have organic produce now. They may not have the same selection, but surely it will suffice for the price and carry you over until your monthly field trip to the pricier market.

3. Don’t by everything organic. If you can’t afford it right now, then you can’t afford it! It’s not a big deal or a set back, just a little obstacle to work your way around. Have you ever heard of the Dirty Dozen? Foodnews.org put out a Shoppers Guide to Pesticides. Check it out here: http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php and print it out (it’s wallet size!). This great resource lists the produce that receives the most pesticides during growth and cultivation. If you want anything from the Dirty Dozen, it would be best to buy them organic. Then they also list the Clean Fifteen, which include produce that are the lowest in pesticides. How does your produce selection stand up against this list? Find out and adjust accordingly.

4. Plan ahead. Knowing what you will be preparing for the week or next couple days will be instrumental in your grocery shopping. Then you can make a list of exactly what you need and buy only that. This way no food goes to waste.

5. Buy smaller quantities! If you are a raw food enthusiast, you get excited in the produce section. This also ties into planning ahead, but if you only need a little of a certain produce (this is especially true for greens and herbs), then just get what you need. Remember you can always get more later, rather than have too much and have that food go to waste in your fridge.

6. Grow your own. Even the White House in Washington, DC is rockin’ an edible garden this year. And you can too! As long as you have a patio or even a window that gets sunlight, you can be growing something! Patio gardens are becoming increasingly popular, and you can grow some herbs right in your window seal. Save money and have total control over how natural your produce will be. It can be a fun project! If you grow an abundance, you can give extra produce (like cucumbers or cherry tomatoes) to friends and neighbors. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of eating something you grew yourself. Use your resources! If you have access to the internet, the answers are right at your finger tips, especially when typing into a search engine!

 In the meantime, we hope you’ll remember that you are worth the investment of delicious raw foods. By making these proactive choices now, you are choosing not to invest in the pharmaceutical meds that treat the systems of a long term diet of meats, pesticides, and processed foods later. With each dollar you spend on healthier options, you are one step closer to your personal goals for health and wellness. And, you are investing in your brighter future. So we hope you’ll use these suggestions to make it all the more easier to invest in your mind, body and spirit!

By rawfoodnation Tags: clean fifteen, dirty dozen, edible garden, organic, raw food, shop local
Posted in Lifestyle Tips | 6 Comments »

6 Responses to “Stretching Your Wallet for Organics”

1. Davy Russell says:

   March 26, 2009 at 2:58 pm

   The ONLY way I can afford to eat the way I want to right now is with my Costco membership. A lot of people don’t think of Coscto as a place to get groceries or even organic produce, but they do have it there and it’s much cheaper at a grocery store.

   My wife and I go through 6 or so pounds of organic spinach each week, which my costco sells for under $4/lb, while the grocery store across the street has it for $7!!! They also have organic spring mix for cheap too. We get 10lb bags of organic carrots for under $6. Try finding that deal at the supermarket. While Costco (at least the one I go to) doesn’t have all their produce organic, it is a way to save on the less-pesticide-residue produce like Avocados and Pineapples.

   Our costco membership pays for itself every single week, and my wife and I can afford to eat healthy and raw on our budget.

   [Reply]
2. rawfoodnation01 says:

   March 31, 2009 at 10:43 pm

   Hi Davy! What a great suggestion! Although I don’t have a membership to a super store like Costco, I have definitely benefited from going with a friend! More and more stores are starting to feature organic produce. Consider touring your local club store, and if it is worth it, go for it! Also consider partnering with friends and buying one membership (with some club stores you can have another person on your account) and then shopping together. Thanks so much for sharing!

   [Reply]
3. James says:

   April 2, 2009 at 11:05 am

   well said – sadly in Australia we don’t have much choice thanks to Woolies and Coles dominating the scene. Organic is not really on the scence and is on about 2% of the Supermarkets shelf space if that,,

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4. rawfoodnation01 says:

   April 2, 2009 at 9:03 pm

   Hi James! Are you a member of http://www.GiveItToMeRaw.com?
   This is a global network of raw food enthusiasts. Perhaps you could find some other local raw foodies in your area and buy in bulk or trade information about where to find the best organic produce. Wishing you the best!

   [Reply]
5. Wysteria says:

   April 7, 2009 at 12:26 am

   I would love to second (or third…fourth) the Costco idea! I recently discovered the spring mix and spinach myself. And my hubby and I have started making our money work more for us so this is a great option! The avocado’s are wonderful and will do the trick for now (until the organic ones drop in price again). I do have to say that I really notice a difference in the flavor of tomatoes when I purchase conventional ones. I realize they are on the “Clean 15″ list but that is one thing I will probably continue to splurge on because I really notice a taste difference. I have also found some great markets that have only organic stuff and have lower prices. I have also dabbled with the idea of talking to the local organic markets and seeing if I can take their “ugly” stuff off their hands for cheap or free…I have talked to other raw foodies and a number of them supplement their diet that way. Making juice and smoothies out of the ugly fruit/veggies. It’s a thought!

   Love the blog!

   xo

   [Reply]
6. Does Your Grocery List Contain The Dirty Dozen? « Raw Food Nation says:

   June 11, 2009 at 5:48 pm

   [...] our post Stretching Your Wallet for Organics, we briefly touched on the the Dirty Dozen, the 10 produce items that get the most pesticide during [...]