Finding good deals on organic food

[lvg4him]

I would love to know how you people find good places to buy food in your area. I have been very blessed to find a local co-op here and have friends that know of other co-ops in the area, but I have family and friends in other states that would love to be able to buy produce at a fair price. Most of the co-ops or CSAs they have found charge way too much (it would be cheaper to shop at the local HFS) or you pay and they give you whatever they want.

So, if you are new to eating healthy, how can you find a place that won't rob you blind for organic produce (without starting your own co-op)?

Thanks!

[Rawkinlocs]

I wish I could answer that for you, but I can't. I don't really try to focus on organic at this time, just on eating raw. I know perhaps I should, but if I did, we'd be up the creek financially. Until our finances get to where we know they're headed, most of our produce is conventional stuff. All we can do is pray because for now, buying all organic for this family of 6 on our budget is out of the question. I can sometimes get "some" things organic, but if not, I don't sweat it...just do the best I can!

[Rawmommie]

I can't afford organic right now either. I do get my mejoul dates at the healthfod store, but I can barely afford those. It's worth it though b/c dates from the grocery store don't even compare! I'm going to grow my own this next spring/summer, I think that will help a lot.

[vegbaby]

I get all my nuts and dates in bulk from www.organicfruitsandnuts.com. :)

[Rawism]

Great website, vegbaby.

I buy everything organic except my bananas. Weird, eh? It's just something about paying 99 cents/lb for bananas that doesn't sit too well with me. LOL

I guess I am the exception. I live alone and only have to prepare for one.

[lvg4him]

I have read that if you go raw then you should definately do organic because of the pesticides in the non-organic. If you are cleansing your body with the raw then you are conteracting that by eating pesticide grown veggies. Anyone have any info on this?

I know that my in-laws really want to do organic. Dad had colon cancer and just about died from it when he had his colostomy (6 years ago) and just recently had a heart attack (earlier this year). They are cooking for just the two of them (plus the occasional guests) and spend about $700 a month. This is not always organic produce, but they still eat meat (although it is grass-fed). For our family of 5 I spend about $200-400 a month and it is mostly organic. But I have really good sources (the co-ops and local CSA). I just wish I could help them out more.

Thanks again!

[glad_2beme]

If I had that kind of food budget I would buy organic all of the time. But I feel doing something is better than doing nothing. Farmers markets are local growers, check there, we also have a local small classified magazine that people sell items in, I sometimes put an add in there that I am interested in purchasing fresh grown produce.