Talking About Green

Nearly everyone wants to buy organic whenever options are available but sometimes doing so can really put a dent in the budget. You are probably aware of the healthy benefits that are received when you eat foods that have been grown without pesticides and other harsh chemicals but that does not change the fact that sometimes these choices can just be down right expensive.

You may assume that farmers are being a little greedy when it comes to pricing these items but quite honestly, it’s really expensive for farms to be labeled with organic certification. This in return has to reflect in the price that you pay. If you want to shop organic, use the tips below to avoid paying more than you have to.

Skip the Grocery Store

Even if you have to drive into a neighboring city to find a farmer’s market, the trip will be well worth it. You can buy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmer’s market for a fraction of what you would pay in the store. Not only are you not having to pay for the convenience and packaging of buying store-bought products, there has been no shipping charges added on either.

The foods that you buy at these markets are in season, delicious and it feels good to support local farmers but shopping locally. If you have never been to a farmer’s market, you’re in for a special treat because you can often find homemade bake goods as well! What could be better than that?

You should also know that many farmers label their goods as no spray or spray-free because it’s just so expensive to pay for the organic label. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you could be buying organic and not even know it.

Join a Community Supported Agriculture Group

Also referred to as a CSA, these are communities of individuals just like you who support local farmers. You pay a membership fee and your farmer will deliver goods right to your door! Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to spend your day off in a grocery store yet have all the fresh essentials that you need? It’s easy to find a CSA that offers fruits and vegetables but if you do a little digging you can find one that will deliver other items like milk, eggs and meat as well.

Understand Crops

There are some foods that are labeled the Dirty Dozen. These are the ones you should put at the top of your list when shopping for organic items because they soak up pesticides like sponges. The list includes peaches, grapes, apples, bell peppers, cherries, spinach, celery, strawberries, lettuce, nectarines, pears and potatoes.

This is a guest post from My Garden Hammock A site dedicated to the humble hammock with some great tips on choosing the hammock bed for the garden or even to replace your bed