I’m sure you BARELY slept last night because of all the anticipation about waiting for Part 2 of my Organic Food post. What little sleep you did have was probably dominated by dreams about fields full of clean, ripe, and juicy organic vegetables. I know, I’m psychic.
Today, I am going to give you some TIPS for buying organic food. Its important to go to the store or healthy vending machine armed with information before any food purchase. After all, its affecting two things that dominate our lives: the wallet and the body.
1. Look for farmer’s markets. When I think of farmer’s markets I think of two words: cheap and fresh. I live in Southern California and went to one the other day where I bought a cucumber the size of a loaf of bread for $0.75! And remember: its a market. This means you can easily barter for bulk discounts. So don’t be scared and get yourself a killer deal on some killer tomatoes, dudes and dudettes!
2. Bulk up when they’re IN SEASON. One way to alleviate cost while at the same time getting the freshest possible fruits and vegetables is to become knowledgeable about when the seasons are for your favorite crops. Here is a handy tool for seeing what is in season in your area for any month!
3. Buy preserved when they’re NOT in season. There’s nothing wrong with buying canned, dried, or frozen organic fruits and vegetables when they’re not in season. In the winter, switch it up to canned organic tomatoes and eat frozen berries (side note: mix frozen berries with bananas and orange juice in a blender first thing when you wake up. It will ROCK YOUR WORLD.)
4. Shop online. That’s right, for organic food! The shipping costs won’t necessarily kill you when you do a little digging and get a good deal. Check out the Organic Consumer Association’s Green People Directory.
5. Grow your own. Whenever you grow or make something yourself, doesn’t it taste better just based on that knowledge? I brew my own beer and other people smile politely while secretly wishing they’d have chugged some straight-up vinegar instead, but to me it tastes golden because I remember how long it took to get that batch ready. Check out Seeds of Change to order seeds, and read this guide on how to start a basic garden.
6. Transition into buying organic slowly. Start by replacing one or two of the foods you buy regularly with its organic equivalent. Shop around and see if you can find prices that aren’t way higher than what you were paying for your non-organic foods. As you start to replace the foods in your pantry and refrigerator with organic versions, keep track of how it is affecting your monthly food budget. Don’t sell the farm converting everything to organic, but keep in mind the long term benefits of eating organic: both on your family’s health care costs and on your environmental impact.
So now you know more about organic food and how to be an expert at shopping for it. Don’t just buy organic willy-nilly. Educate yourself! Make smart food choices for you and your family, and you’ll reap the benefits in the long run. One last point I must make is that just because its organic, doesn’t necessarily mean its healthier than other food. Eating a pound of bread grown from organic wheat versus eating a pound of conventionally grown broccoli isn’t going to be healthier. Keep it all in perspective and arm yourself with knowledge. Remember, small changes today can equal HUGE changes in the future.
