Maybe it’s because Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but for whatever reason, we’ve got food on the brain!
In today’s food industry, with a lot of what we consume being highly processed and pumped full of chemicals and preservatives, many have been turning to the “safer” option of buying their food Organic.
Organic food is that which is produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or any other artificial agents used to make or grow normal food today.
While organic food usually tastes better and is better for you, it can also be very expensive compared to its non-organic counter parts! When we say, “more expensive,” we mean that organic food can cost nearly 50 percent more than non-organic food! Yikes! That’s a huge difference! Especially if you are a family on a budget. This price increase is due to the extra time and labor that is required to produce organic food. It is also due to the growing popularity of buying organic, which means that consumers’ demands on supply are continually rising.
So, what do you do then if you want to be healthier by going organic? How do you get that tasty organic food without spending a ton of extra money? Well, follow these tips and tricks to get more bang for your buck, and perhaps buying organic won’t seem so expensive after all!
Shop at farmers’ markets: You can get fresh organic produce for far less at a farmers’ market than you’d pay at the grocery store. It’ll taste just as good, and you’re getting your food straight from the source. Prescott, Arizona has its very own farmers market featuring locally grown produce, meats, and more. You can check their website at prescottfarmersmarket.org for locations, times, and updates!
Choose seasonal produce: Out-of-season produce usually has to be imported, and that can really drive up the price. Focus your meals on in-season fruits and vegetables so that you don’t end up paying $6.00 for a pound of organic asparagus.
Shop more frequently and plan your meals around bulk sales: The trick here is to only buy what’s needed for your meals and to only plan for a week of meals at most. That way you’re less likely to throw food away because you can use leftover produce for more meals before it goes bad.
Grow your own: A home vegetable garden will provide some extremely cheap organic produce, and gardening can also be a fun and rewarding hobby. Don’t have a green thumb? Check out Watters Garden Center, located off Iron Springs Road in Prescott. They have plenty of staff to help you and give advice, and they even offer gardening classes to help you get started!