9 Ways to Make Organic Purchases more Affordable

IF you are taking the step this year to incorporate MORE Organic and Non-GMO Foods into your diet, we would LOVE to share our tips to help you save.

We took the plunge a few years ago – and while it may not be the popular route … it’s what WE feel is the BEST route for ourselves and our kids.

Many people will see that the cost of Organic Food is almost always a little more than conventional. If you aren’t sure why that is, we recently mentioned that in detail HERE…   Through we will say that there are some great ways to save that, in some cases, will help you get items for possibly the same or even LESS than their conventional counterparts.

ALl it takes is a little willingness and discipline to make the switch – because it’s not easy. Especially when you are faced with grocery store ads that have great deals {but on processed food}, possibly free soda, and Ibotta offers that are attached to huge bonus offers.

Your mind has to be a filter to filter that out – just remember that YOU control what your family eats, and therefore their health. 

Here are TEN helpful ways to make your goal of “Going Organic & possibly even Non-GMO” a reality for your family – big or small…

1.  Start VERY Simple

We realize that the average person and family can’t make the leap entirely – after all, some items WILL be more.

But you can take it a little at a time. Start with  your produce – and start with the Dirty Dozen (I would also include corn and papaya on that list – I would not touch either with a ten foot pole unless it was organic, but your opinion may differ…)

Then, move on to Milk – work at easing your children off conventional milk, and away from Soy, Almond and Rice Milk.  

As you gradually shift away from Conventional produce, you can start to shift your purchases into other organic areas a little at a time until you gradually adjust to the rise in cost.

In the meantime, avoid buying prepackaged foods — replace your cereal with whole grain oats, avoid buying chips and unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks like Capri Sun Pouches.

2.  Buy in Bulk

Thankfully Costco is in almost every area, and Phoenix is no exception. They carry upwards of 200 organic options, and their prices are very comparable to conventional – in fact, some items are just pennies more per ounce than their conventional counterparts.

It’s worth shopping there, if not every week, then every other – we are a family of 6, soon to be 7 and we shop every other week in ONE mass trip. It’s a HUGE money and time saver – we don’t have to buy papers, clip coupons or drive around to stores with kids. We can go there and be home within 1 1/2 hours. 

Time is money, at least for us.

During your visit you may see Organic Eggs, Milk, Sugar, to Fruit, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Broth and even Canned Items like Tomatoes and Vegetables. Quinoa is a great price as are sweet potatoes – they have some really nice bargains.

You can see our last post on 20 Organic Items you will want to buy at Costco for a breakdown in prices.

3.  Use Coupons

IF time permits, you can search out coupons in our coupon database, and head to non-Warehouse Stores such as Sprouts, or Whole Foods. Fry’s also has a generous selection of Organic items.

Once there, learn to be disciplined to picking up only those items you need, that fit your goals – not what might look cheap or be on clearance on an end cap. OR, what might be featured on sale in the ad – most times, the ads will promote those products that are heavily subsidized that will get the most foot traffic (which is never organic items!)

You can also use Savings Apps that we have noted here, some of which are tailored to organic purchases.  And check out the Simple Truth coupons you can find in digital form here (not all are for Organic items!)

Sometimes shopping without coupons at a warehouse CAN be just as effective to save – you will need to weigh out the time it takes you to clip, scout sales and drive versus just buying things at the Warehouse store.

4.  Buy In-Store Organic Brands

In addition to offering organic produce in their own section, most national chains of grocers have created their own in-house Organic Brand/Line that is priced lower National Organic Brands.

Examples of those brands include Wild Oats Brand (Walmart), Safeway’s O Organics, and Fry’s Simple Truth Organic (not to be confused with Simple Truth – as they are often times mushed together in the same section but are NOT the same!)

5.  Join a Co-Op

Some areas of the U.S. have a Co-Op that you can join (my Dad has one in Minnesota, and I do believe Bisbee has one too…) – it can be a great way to save on groceries.

Thankfully we ALSO have Co-Ops here in Phoenix too – you can see a list of those here if you want to try to find one in your area.

Most Co-OPs charge a one time membership fee, and allow you to get a few percent off discount coupons after joining, some give a few each month in addition to discount days.  Always make sure you weigh the options of a Co-Op (Membership Fee, plus driving distance0 to see if it makes sense for your family long term).

6.  Join a local CSA

Thankfully we have MANY in the Phoenix area that you can join – we have done this and it works great for us. Community Supported Agriculture Programs deliver a box filled with organic vegetables (and in some cases a few other items) direct from your local area farmer to your area – whether it be a drop off location or a central location in certain areas of town.

There are weekly CSA Boxes/Bags you commit to – for a full or half share… and by joining your local CSA you are supporting your local farmer and their personal goals of supporting Organic produce.  Find local CSA’s for Phoenix HERE – one that they didn’t include is also Taste of Paradise – which is in the East Valley. 

7. Plant your Own

IF you have outdoor space (even indoor space works too!), plant a few container vegetables or a small garden. Try for those vegetables and produce items you know you will use the most.

OR, check out your area to see if there is a community garden – you can also pick up GMO-Free Seeds by State – we listed below (get the FULL list for ALL states HERE).

GMO FREE Seeds Arizona

Aravaipa Heirlooms
PO Box 72
Oracle, AZ 85623

Hatching Bunnies Farm
Gilbert, AZ
Email: hatchingbunniesfarm@cox.net

Humble Seed
7119 E. Shea Blvd.
#109-394
Scottsdale, AZ  8525-6107
Tel: 877-956-SEED (7333)
Fax: 480-347-0837

Native Seeds/SEARCH  
3584 E. River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718  
Tel: 520-622-0830  
Fax: 520-622-0829  

Old Pueblo Plant & Seed Company 
P.O. Box 86441 
Tucson, AZ  85745-6441 
Tel: 520-201-2136 
Fax: 623-201-2136 
  
Sherizona Seed Co.
23336 N 120th Lane
Sun City, AZ 85373

Terroir Seeds LLC home of Underwood Gardens
P O Box 4995
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Tel/Fax: 888-878-5247

Westwind Seeds and Gardenscapes LLC 
6336 N. Oracle  #326-246 
Tucson, AZ  85704 
Tel: 520-887-2106 
Email: reggie@westwindseeds.com 

You can also use the Seed Library for FREE seeds at your local Library too.

8.  Find a local Farmer

If you are in an area that still has some small local farms, consider taking the family to visit a local farmer and pick up your grass-fed beef or chicken (provided that the farmer feeds them Organic feed) for purchase instead of buying from the grocery store (which in most cases is NOT Organic).

If your Costco doesn’t carry Organic chicken or Grass Fed Beef, this is just another option – thankfully here in Phoenix we have many local farmers, as far south as Hereford all the way out to Yuma and as far north as Flagstaff.  Many of them also come in frequently to the Farmers Market with their Beef, Chicken and Eggs, too – you’ll want to see this link here to find a local farmer that visits near to you.

In the End

By supporting Organic and Non-GMO Foods, you are showing local farmers and industry that you want to see more of those items – you are encouraging farmers to continue their efforts to grow those foods.   

Will your family and friends think you are extreme? Probably. Will you garnish comments? Probably. In the end, it’s your choice.  If YOU can find it important, that’s all that matters. 

You are also making a statement to food manufacturers that YOUR food is important to you and your family and that there IS a connection between the health of you, and your children, to the food you ingest.  I love to think that the health of my kids is largely OUR efforts – while we are blessed with 4 healthy children, we also don’t make regular doc visits…   both of us agree that a combination of good food, exercise (limited screen time), our addiction to Essential Oils, lots of love and great spiritual support, all work together.

We can’t be perfect – and we sure aren’t — but every little bit of change is a huge step in a better direction.

Conventional food IS always going to be cheaper – it’s highly processed from GMO Corn ingredients, Soy, Fructose, and heavily supported by tax subsidies.  Change will not happen at the Federal Government Level, after all… there is too much money to be made in heavily subsidized food, not to mention health implications that result in money for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Despite the popularity of shopping for low-cost food … be your OWN change and slowly take efforts required to move your family in a different direction – watch documentaries that will support your mentality. Encourage family to do the same. Find room in your budget to buy better food, even if it means throwing the junk to the side.