| We all know the benefits of eating organic foods, | | | | clubs. Many warehouse stores are starting to |
| but sometimes the costs can be prohibitive. Here | | | | carry organic produce, organic frozen meals and |
| are six tips to help you buy organic while staying | | | | even eco-friendly household items. You can |
| within your budget. | | | | purchase items that you use every day, such as |
| 1. Get a card. One of the best ways to save on | | | | oil or flour, and lower your costs for organic |
| organic food, and foods of all kind, is to sign up | | | | goods. |
| for a free supermarket savings card. Many | | | | 5. Shop farmer's markets. Try shopping at local |
| different grocery stores have savings cards that | | | | farmer's markets for fresh produce grown |
| allow you take a certain percentage off of your | | | | organically. Look for farmer's markets in the |
| total bill, or that give special prices on certain food | | | | newspaper and try to find one nearby on a |
| items. As an added benefit, supermarkets collect | | | | weekend or weeknight. As you are shopping, you |
| data on their customers' buying habits. By using | | | | can ask the farmers how they grow the produce |
| your card and buying organic, you could be | | | | and if they use organic methods. Keep in mind |
| affecting their future buying decisions. If more | | | | that, at a farmer's market, you'll only be able to |
| people like you buy organic, your favorite | | | | buy produce that is in season, but the prices may |
| supermarket may begin to stock more. | | | | be as much as half to one third cheaper than |
| 2. Buy generic organics. Many supermarkets also | | | | you'll find at supermarkets. You may even be able |
| carry generic store-brand organics. These brands | | | | to lower prices further by buying in bulk from |
| can have the same ingredients as pricey, | | | | farmers. |
| brand-name organic products, but at a fraction of | | | | 6. Know what you need. You can also save on |
| the cost. You might be surprised at the quality of | | | | your total food costs by making your organic |
| ingredients that you'll find in store brands. | | | | choices carefully. You don't have to buy |
| 3. Look online for coupons for organic foods. This, | | | | everything 100 percent organic. Adjust your |
| of course, only works on pre-packaged organic | | | | purchases based on your needs and the level of |
| foods. Go to the website of your favorite health | | | | pesticides that different foods contain. Some |
| food stores as well as your favorite companies | | | | produce, such as bananas, avocados, and broccoli, |
| and get on their mailing lists so they can email you | | | | retain less of the pesticides, so you can feel safer |
| promotions and coupon codes. | | | | buying conventional varieties of these types of |
| 4. Don't skip the warehouse. Savings on organic | | | | foods, and going organic with other items, such as |
| food doesn't stop at the local supermarket. You | | | | like apples, cherries, and peaches. |
| can also save big when you buy at warehouse | | | | |