Start the New Year with Healthy and Organic Eating on a Budget

Buy in Bulk

Many natural food stores and co-ops sell a wide variety of foods in bulk. You can find staples such as flour and sugar, pasta, beans, rice and other grains, honey, peanut butter, cereal, olive oil, dried fruits and nuts, and much more.

Compare the bulk bin prices to the prices of pre-packaged counterparts and you may find substantial savings.

Another plus is that you can purchase as much or as little as you need. No need to buy a big package of a product you use infrequently – just buy a few scoopfuls. It’s also a great way to try out a new item without having to take the risk of buying a large amount – just buy a little bit and test it out to see if you like it.

Not only will you be saving money by buying bulk products, but you’ll also reduce the waste of excessive packaging. Many stores even allow you to bring your own reusable containers.

Reduce Processed Foods in Your Diet

Processed foods, whether they are organic or not, are almost always more expensive than foods made from scratch. Use simple recipes to make your own bread, baked goods and snacks to see the savings add up. Skip the packaged frozen dinners and throw together your own stir-fry or other entrée.

You might say “I don’t bake!” or “I don’t cook!” but there is an abundance of simple recipes available and once you get started you might find a new hobby! Our simple no-knead bread recipe is a great way to start. 

Check the “Recipes” link at the top of the page for more recipes from Thrifty Jinxy.

If you have outdoor space, even a small garden can provide you with a lot of fresh produce in the warmer months. Even if you only have a balcony or patio, you can plant some basics in containers (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs) and have fresh produce at your fingertips. Just remember to water them!

 

If you don’t have outdoor space or you want home-grown produce year-round, you can use an AeroGarden. You can grow greens, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and more – right on your kitchen counter! It takes an initial investment for the machine, but you can Google ways to make your own replacement “seed packets” and avoid the costly refills.

Buy Direct from Local Farms

Many farms sell directly to consumers. Like food from a farmers market, direct from the farm is about as fresh as you can get. To find farms that sell directly, you can check your state’s Department of Agriculture web site, or try Local harvest. 

Subscribe to a CSA

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription is a way to receive a weekly bundle of locally grown produce and other farm products. In most cases, you pay up-front for a full season of produce.

Then each week you receive a selection that is currently ripe and ready for harvest. To find out more about CSAs and locate one in your area, check out https://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Use Coupons

As organic foods become more and more popular, the larger manufacturers are distributing more coupons to attract consumers to their brands.

Check for coupons at the customer service desk of your natural food store.

There are also many web sites with coupons available – either to print or to sign up for mailings. Visit our post to learn about saving money with organic food coupons.

By putting these tips into practice, you should be able to enjoy a healthy, tasty, environmentally friendly diet without spending a fortune. If you have any other tips for budget-friendly organic eating, or have any thoughts on this post, please leave a comment!