Saving Money on Organic Food

Organic food shopping isn’t what it used to be, because now more stores offer more selections.

“It varies by store, but in our larger stores, you can find up to a thousand organic and natural products.”
-Kim Jaegar, Publix Supermarkets

And while selection is on the rise, prices are also getting easier to swallow. Major grocery stores and now even discount chains sell their own store-brand organics. And that means lower cost.

“[In] our Greenwise section, customers can save 10 to 30-percent…”
-Kim Jaegar, Publix Supermarkets

Good savings, but if your budget can’t afford all organic, what are the best buys for your money?

Experts say organic meat and poultry can be worth the higher price. Maybe dairy products and eggs because protein-rich foods with the USDA seal are certified free of pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics. Baby food could be a good organic pick, also because of the pesticide issue.

Highly processed organic foods like cereals, potato chips and packaged foods might not be worth your extra money. Because experts say much of the health benefit can be processed right out of them.

As far as produce, don’t pay more for organic fruits or vegetables with a protective peel or thick skin: that skin is already a natural guard against pesticide residue.

Bottom line? As the market gets more competitive, organics are getting cheaper and easier to find. But no matter how you slice it, there are still organic foods with more appeal than others.