10-26-2009, 05:29 PM
I don't know where you are located and what options you have in terms of grocery stores, but a few thoughts:
1. See if there is a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). You can typically get a weekly or less frequent box of fruit and vegetables from a farm or farms in your region. A bit tricky here in Alaska, but there are a few options in Anchorage, one being out of Washington state and another from the Matanuska Valley, about 40 miles away, both of which have weekly options.
http://www.localharvest.org/ (with more discussion here: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/003810.php)
2. Shop around. Other grocery stores than your usual one, Target, Costco, organic co-op, Sam's, local ethnic stores or other places may provide for some cost savings. We went to five stores this past Saturday in the span of 2 hours to cover most of our groceries for the week.
3. If possible, buy in bulk. This will help with the generally somewhat higher cost. Check around to see if you can't purchase a half or whole side of locally grown beef, pork, turkey or similar to economize. Perhaps a friend or coworker would be interested in splitting the meat.
4. Someone is going to quote the study that says effectively, 'no measurable health benefits from organic food'. While that could be true (haven't looked at the study or considered their methods myself), it will probably taste better and be more sustainable in the long run.
5. Cut back on soda/pop. I like sugar as much as the next person, but there are better places to get my calories, thank you. Juice + carbonated water has a nice bite.
...anyway, just a few quick thoughts. Glad to answer additional, specific questions if I can help, though I sure don't claim to know everything.
1. See if there is a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). You can typically get a weekly or less frequent box of fruit and vegetables from a farm or farms in your region. A bit tricky here in Alaska, but there are a few options in Anchorage, one being out of Washington state and another from the Matanuska Valley, about 40 miles away, both of which have weekly options.
http://www.localharvest.org/ (with more discussion here: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/003810.php)
2. Shop around. Other grocery stores than your usual one, Target, Costco, organic co-op, Sam's, local ethnic stores or other places may provide for some cost savings. We went to five stores this past Saturday in the span of 2 hours to cover most of our groceries for the week.
3. If possible, buy in bulk. This will help with the generally somewhat higher cost. Check around to see if you can't purchase a half or whole side of locally grown beef, pork, turkey or similar to economize. Perhaps a friend or coworker would be interested in splitting the meat.
4. Someone is going to quote the study that says effectively, 'no measurable health benefits from organic food'. While that could be true (haven't looked at the study or considered their methods myself), it will probably taste better and be more sustainable in the long run.
5. Cut back on soda/pop. I like sugar as much as the next person, but there are better places to get my calories, thank you. Juice + carbonated water has a nice bite.
...anyway, just a few quick thoughts. Glad to answer additional, specific questions if I can help, though I sure don't claim to know everything.