Why the Frugal Should Care about Affording Organic Food
(Please note TFF’s new category: Affordable Organics)
It’s been said that organic food costs at least 20 percent more than conventionally-grown food. Anyone who shops at Whole Foods Market can attest to that. So why is it important for frugal shoppers to care about being able to afford organic food?
As frugal shoppers, we need to prove to everyone that it’s important to put your money where it counts–in our own health and in the health of the next generations to come. It can cost an arm and a leg for our local farmers to obtain organic certification, which is part of the issue. As a result, it’s still the prevailing perception that organic food is only for wealthy people.
This weekend, I was at Manchester Community College for the 30th Annual Conference of the CT Northeast Organic Farmers Association (CT-NOFA) where I was able to be amongst our state’s farmers. (As a brief backgrounder, fourteen years ago, genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced into our food system, and studies show that ingesting GM ingredients leads to health problems which is why supporting organic growers is so vital.) Before the keynote address, Bill Duesing, Executive Director of CT-NOFA, opened his annual review by saying, “Organic Food is Not Just for Rich People.” I couldn’t agree with him more.
To make important and frugal organic food choices, download a wallet-sized list of which fruits and vegetables contain the most harmful pesticides here: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/guide/
Get a free app or download the Non-GMO Shopping Guide at www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com
Learn about the documented health risks of GMOS here: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/
Frugal shoppers take note: It is not just an old adage–“Health IS Wealth!”
~Aimee, TFF
Two Frugal Fairfielders 
Eveenthough the organic food costs more the nutrient values and the good things about it will never change. its good for health also.
Absolutely! We couldn’t agree with you more!~TFF
Send me a private email and I’ll give you the name.
totally agree-I joined an organic CSA and the $600/yearly share (20 weeks June thru early Nov)breaks down to $50/month or $12.50/week. Quite affordable! (and we are not by any means wealthy)My share starts as one Stop and Shop sized tote and maxes to 3 bags of the same size in the height of the season. Almost every week there was something extra as a freebie. Gleaning the fields is also available, at the discretion of the farmer. At the end of the season, there was a freebie table-take it if you can use it.
I canned 30 pints and 30 quarts of heirloom tomatoes this Summer. I made several types of relish, pickles, pickled vegetables as well as jams (from foraging). Alot of our surplus was also frozen for Winter use. Tonight’s supper included organic CSA kale and organic CSA garlic. Yum!
We are supporting a local farmer, eating clean, reducing our carbon footprint-it can’t get any better. : )
Bonus was that we were “forced” to try some new vegetables that were included in our weekly shares. Now have some new favorites which continue to grace our table. These are often heirloom vegatables not found in grocery chain stores, and rarely even at Farmer’s markets. Very happy
Hi! Are you able to share the name of your CSA in Connecticut? It sounds excellent! But there’s probably a waiting list….?