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Saving Money on Sustainable Food
By Linda | August 5, 2008
Making the right food choices can save you thousands of dollars on your health, plus give you more vitality to enjoy life. Scrimping on food may cost you more money on doctors and drugs as well as down time.
My clients sometimes make poor food choices because of money. “Organic is too expensive,” I often hear. But is it? And is “organic” what you really want? Although better than “conventional”, organic is not always the best choice. Large food conglomerates have diluted the term organic and made “organic certification” too costly for small farmers who may go beyond organic. If you look carefully, you can find the most flavorful and healthful foods at reasonable prices from small, sustainable farmers who don’t label their foods organic.
“Sustainable” and “ethical” are the new organic. Your best food choices come from smaller local sustainable dairies or farms, places you can see for yourself. Smaller herds are more likely raised on pasture, the ticket for real health benefits, not organic feed. The same holds for poultry, eggs and produce. And, by purchasing local, you potentially save on shipping costs.
Sustainable goes beyond avoidance of pesticides and upholds practices that lead to healthier food while promoting the health of our planet, including our air and drinking water.
Want to save on meat? Healthy meats come from happy grass-fed animals, not feedlots. Check my shopping guide for sources. A client recently told me she spent just $2 per pound on a freezer full of meat by sharing a grass-fed cow with friends.
To save on produce, subscribe to a local CSA for organic, local, fresh produce or shop your local farmer’s market. At the very least, buy seasonal produce; it is the least expensive, freshest and most nutritious choice. If you buy conventional, at least avoid the toxic “dirty dozen.”
Look for coupons and sales on your favorite meal ingredients. I just saved $1 on Organic Pastures butter with a coupon. I buy extra bottles of my favorite olive oil when it goes on sale.
Consider growing a few things yourself. You will not only save on fresh produce, you will enjoy more flavorful food plus a new healthy hobby.
Use real food. More than 90% of the U.S dollar spent on food is for processed foods. By making a meal from fresh, sustainable meat, dairy and vegetables, you fuel your family’s health, save money and promote the health of our water, air and land.
Finally, don’t rule out organic due to price. You may not need to spend more after all.
Share your ideas for saving on real, ethical, sustainable food.
Topics: Sustainable Food, Uncategorized |
August 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hi Linda! Nice post. Thanks also for the link to my “Dirty Dozen” article. That is one of the oldest articles on my site, but continues to be one of the most read. People really are looking for this type of information.
Your suggestions on saving money on organic food make me jealous that you live in a place where organic food is sometimes on sale. That does not happen here in our community of @150,000 people. Organic food is usually looked at here as a specialty item that can command a much higher profit margin. I expect seeking out coupons when they can be found might help as that does not depend on sales.
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