Because they are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, hormones or genetically modified organisms, organic foods come to be part of the daily diet for the health conscious world wide. But what about the high price of organic foods? Many families would like to be able to enjoy organically grown foods, but just can`t afford them.
When purchased in supermarkets, organic foods can cost considerably more than their regularly grown counterparts, but that does not mean that they cannot be found at more a reasonable cost.
Shop Locally
The best deals to be found when searching for organic foods are usually close to home. Check in at small local farms. Some small farms that adhere to organic standards sell their products privately and at reasonable rates. Look for foods like, fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, butter, cheese, honey, pork, beef, chicken and lamb.
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are great places to find organic foods, but if you don`t see a sign telling you that it is in fact organic, be sure to ask before buying.
- If there is a particular vendor at a farmers market who`s organic foods are high in quality and are reasonably priced, be sure to ask what they have to offer in the off season and how to go about buying.
- No matter what farming techniques are used, fruit and vegetable farmers always end up with produce that is not quite up to commercial standards. These are fruits or vegetables that are an odd shape or size or that have a small bruise or blemish. There is nothing wrong with them, but because they don`t look as pretty, they are classified as seconds and usually discarded. Do not be afraid to ask the vendor what is done with these still healthy foods. He might be willing to sell a bushel of tomatoes, peaches or other preservable fruits / vegetables that are not quite perfect at a fraction of the regular price.
Join a CSA
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA farmers receive payment from consumers before the start of each growing season, and the consumer in turn receives a portion of the farmers bounty.
For example, Edencrest Farms is a CSA farm located near Barrie, Ontario. They offer a wide range of organic produce as well as maple syrup, eggs, fresh berries and organically fed turkeys and pork. Prices are $200.00 for a half share and $400.00 for a full share. These prices work out to about $25/ week for sixteen weeks, so the consumer is receiving a basket of farm fresh produce every week at prices far below what they would pay in a supermarket.
Grow Your Own
The cheapest way to get organic vegetables is to grow them at home, and if space is limited, they can be grown in containers. All that is needed is some organic soil (available at most nurseries) , organic seeds and several decorative, whimsical containers. Old baskets, urns and crockery all make great planters.
Plant containers full of strawberries, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, miniature hot peppers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and bush beans and scatter the pots around the balcony, deck, patio, or in spots around the yard that need some extra greenery. The addition of these plants will not only add a little whimsy to an otherwise bland space, but will help reduce the cost of buying organic produce.
Laurie Pizans - I am a wife and the mother of three grown children and one silly yellow dog. I quit work a few years back due to health problems, but work ...
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