Eating Organic

The Environmental Working Group has put together a shopping guide that ranks 43 common fruits and vegetables from most (peaches, apples...) to least (onions, avocados...) pesticides. This is a great way to slowly begin incorporating organic food into your diet where it really makes a difference.

5 Ways to go Organic on a Budget

1. Sales
Look for the Healthy Advantage sales tags throughout the Co-op and save anywhere from 10-40%. All items in the flyer may also be ordered by the case for an additional discount. Also check for other Co-op Bargain Sales tags.

2. Stick to foods in their natural form
Prepared and packaged food items have the greatest markup, but bulk foods are very inexpensive and often better for you too.

3. Eat lower on the food chain
Organic beef is especially pricey, often costing several dollars more per pound than the conventional stuff. So make a little go a long way: Serve meat in soups and stews or as a side dish. Think of meat as a condiment instead of the main dish.

4.Prioritize your produce
In some cases, organic produce is definitely worth a higher price; at other times, it may be OK to save your money. See the Environmental Working Group's shopping guide for a guide to vegetables and fruits with the highest and lowest pesticide levels.

5. Try to buy straight from the source.
If you don't garden yourself, watch local farmers' markets for locally-grown produce. Or join Seton Harvest community supported agriculture (CSA). You buy a share in the costs of the farm's operation and get a portion of its bounty in a weekly food basket. Not only do you get super-fresh food each week, but you support the local economy.

For details reading organic labels and reasons to go organic, read more here >