You have probably heard that eating organic produce is better for you, but the prices can be double that of regular produce. Of course you want to feed your family the best food possible, but you also need to work within your budget.
If you would like to save money on organic produce, here are a few tips to try:
Spend Your Money Where It Counts
The main benefit of eating organic produce is the lack of pesticides used in growing the food. Limiting your exposure to pesticides can lower your risk of cancer, and aid in liver function as the liver is your body’s filter. According to a list published by the Environmental Working Group, there are 12 types of produce which contain the highest amounts of pesticide residue and are therefore dangerous to consume as non-organic.
Spend your money to buy organic versions of these fruits and vegetables:
peaches
apples
sweet bell peppers
celery
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
pears
grapes (imported)
spinach
lettuce
potatoes
Buy “Safer” Non-Organic Produce
In order to save money, you can buy the non-organic versions of the 12 least contaminated fruits and vegetables:
papayas
broccoli
cabbage
bananas
kiwifruit
sweet peas (frozen)
asparagus
mangoes
pineapple
sweet corn (frozen)
avocados
onions
You can also help reduce pesticide residue by washing and peeling fruits and vegetables that are not organic.
Updated List 2013:
Dirty Dozen + 2
apples
celery
sweet bell peppers
peaches
strawberries
nectarines (imported)
grapes
spinach
lettuch
cucumbers
blueberries (domestic)
potatoes
added green beans
kale/greens
Clean 15
onions
sweet corn
pineapples
avocado
cabbage
sweet peas
asparagus
mangoes
eggplant
kiwi
cantaloupe (domestic)
sweet potatoes
grapefruit
watermelon
mushrooms
Eat In-Season Produce
One of the best strategies for saving on organic produce is to eat whatever is in season: pumpkins, cabbage and squash in the Fall; tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers in the Summer. You can often find locally grown organic produce at farmer’s markets and road side stands. The price of in season local items is usually much less in comparison to items which have to be shipped from other countries.
Cut Other Budget Areas
If buying organic produce is important to you, you can cut other areas of your budget to leave more money for groceries. Trimming your cable package or your entertainment budget by only $20 a month can give you enough to purchase a few more organic fruits or vegetables.
Do you have other ideas for saving on organic produce? Share them in the comments. 🙂
Hi,
I live in a condo and have a small container garden on my patio.I also have
a community garden plot.This year we have so many squash we find new things to make and even share with other people that organic produce is a streach. We also got quite a few green beans and are starting to get a few tomatoes. We just Googled community garden for our area and God blessed us with a plot. It is 100.00 for the year you get 30.00 back if you pull weeds
and the city pays the water. I think it is a great deal.
That is a great idea Patti! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
You may want to consider adding corn to the organic list. I believe non organic corn is genetically modified.
Thanks Dawn. I got this list from the Environmental Working Group’s list based on their research, but I have heard that much of our corn is GMO. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
If you really want to save and know that you’re pesticide free you could start your own garden at home. We have a little patio garden that costs next to nothing and gives us fresh veggies all summer and fall!
The downside to trying to go organic in your backyard… There isn’t really a way to regulate the radius around your plants and dirt to prevent any outside source of contamination. Although, growing your own produce is a fantastic way to save. We are currently moving into an apartment, so I am trying to figure out how we can grow anything other than select berries and herbs inside.
We are lucky enough to live in a community where there are several Amish. We buy our produce in season from them You can’t get much more organic than something grown by them! If you live near Amish, check them out…their prices can’t be beat, either!
some Amish use pesticide. I spoke with a local Amish farmer and he admitted to it. Although it is probably way less than the mass grown fruits and veggies.
Join a local organic CSA…Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a great way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Goggle CSA and your city and state.
Great idea Jenn!