How to Buy Organic Food for Less

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Many people think that organic food reduces exposure to added chemicals. For example, organic foods don’t have added hormones, and they reduce exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The result is that organic food has become popular. But, unfortunately, with that increased popularity comes the expense.

Organic food, therefore, can be an expensive addition to your grocery bill. How much have organic food costs increased? Are there any low-cost options? Here are some ways to purchase organic food that are also healthy for your budget.

Organic Food Costs on the Rise

Food costs have increased with inflation. But organic food costs are rising faster than conventional foods. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), conventional chicken legs decreased in cost from last year by 42 percent, but organic chicken legs increased by 67 percent.

There is an increasing disparity between conventional food and organic food. For example, conventional vine-ripe tomatoes rose 18.6 percent year over year, while organic rose 100.5 percent.

Conventional orange bell peppers rose 17.7 percent from February 2022, but organic rose 100.4 percent.

Warehouse Clubs Save

Warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s Wholesale Club have savings on organic foods. The costs of these warehouse clubs are:

• Sam’s Club—$50 (currently $25 until Jan. 31, 2024)
• Costco—$60 (you’ll receive a $10 gift card)
• BJ’s Wholesale Club—$55 (now $25 until Feb. 4, 2024)

Wholesale clubs make the bulk of their profits from membership fees. So whereas a regular store might have a 25–50 percent markup, the wholesale club’s markup may only be 15 percent.

So, over a year, the savings may make up the fee’s expense.

But although there are great deals, you will usually have to buy in bulk. If you have a small family, you’ll need to determine if you will use that extra large package of organic wings.

CSA Provides Organic for Less

There are Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs available. A CSA connects the consumer directly to the producer.

For example, a farmer may offer “shares” of tomatoes. This could be a bag or box of tomatoes. You pay a fee and receive the produce seasonally. It allows you to receive fresh produce at a reduced rate.

Some communities or regions have a CSA. Your state agricultural department is a great place to start to find one close to you.

Be Aware of Seasons for Best Deals

Most people know to look for produce in the summer or fall, but meat also has a season.

For example, pork season is fall. Because of this, there is an abundance of pork at this time. That means the potential for lower prices.

On the other hand, beef comes after the first cold spell in the fall. With these lower prices, it would be a good time to stock up on your favorite organic meat and fill your freezer.

If you’re looking for fruit, naval oranges are abundant during midwinter. And blood oranges are in season from winter to spring.

Online Organic Food Shopping Saves

There are several online budget-friendly buying options. Besides the expense of organic food, some areas have limited options. Online organic shopping can fit the bill for both.

Amazon Fresh is available in limited locations for Prime members only. It delivers organic food to your home for less. To find out if you can access it in your area, type your zip code on the Amazon Fresh website.

Thrive Market is an online membership service. It specializes in organic foods. For a monthly fee of $5, you’ll receive exclusive deals and gifts. In addition, recurring deliveries can be arranged for more savings.

An option for meat is Wild Fork Foods. This is also a membership service. The cost is $2.42 monthly. They provide two-day delivery on all orders over $35 for unlimited members, with discounts for shipping.

Organic meal kits are also available. According to Food & Wine, the best overall kit for both the food and the price is Sunbasket. With a starting price of $9.99 per serving, they deliver in 46 states. Sunbasket provides customized options, various snack add-ons, and a broad range of diet-specific meals. Food arrives at your doorstep fresh weekly.

Visit Farmers Market for Inexpensive Organic

Prices can vary from vendor to vendor, so you need to shop around the market to receive the best deals. And one disadvantage is not having USDA certified produce. But if you frequent the market, you’ll start to know each producer and how they farm.

If you buy at the season’s peak, you'll score even more deals. Because of the abundance, prices will be lower.

Take a large shopping bag or box so you can buy in bulk. Also, by buying at the end of the market, you can pay less since the farmers will want to sell, so they don’t have to haul their goods back to the farm.

Save When Buying Organic

Shopping online, at farmers markets and at warehouse clubs can help you reduce your organic food bill. Factor in membership fees and compare them to potential year-long savings.

Noting the season for foods can also give you savings. Buy fruits, vegetables, and meat at peak times to take advantage of their abundance and lower prices.

The Epoch Times Copyright © 2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.