Tips on shopping for Organic foods.
::: Shopping for Organic foods made easy.
++ Key words: Organic, Food, Shopping / Don Cook / Don's Digital Café
Probably the best way to save money on Organic foods is to grow you own. If you don't have the time, the space or the motivation, you can shop for them.
The above photo, of heirloom and cherry tomatoes, was taken by Don Cook at a Farmers Market in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, California, USA.
Following are some expert tips on shopping for Organic products:
- Check out the EWG Shopper's Guide to Pesticides. This list is on my refrigerator, and I carry it with me (and will until I memorize it). Very important: If you have to choose between buying old, wilted Organic food, and fresh Non-Organic food, I would choose the Non-Organic (especially if it is close to the bottom of this very important list).
- If you happen to live in an area with a Whole Foods Market, you are extrememly lucky. They consistently have the freshest Organic foods on the planet (they guarantee this with a no questions asked return policy). Some people complain about the prices. I don't. The prices of most of their bulk Organic grains are less than I can find on the Internet. The prices of their private label Whole Food Markets "365" Brand of Organic Juices and Unsweetened Soy Milk are lower than anywhere else. They also offer foods you can't get anywhere else: Like freshly roasted Organic coffee beans, and a 100% Organic salad bar. This is where I go for Organic Broccoli Sprouts (at least, until I can grow my own), and 100% Organic Cranberry and Concord Grape Juices.
- Another great place to shop is Henry's Farmers Market. It is a popular grocery store that started in 1943 as a corner store in San Diego that sold truck loads of fresh peaches. Their bulk bins can't even compare to Whole Foods Market (none are Organic), so I skip those. However they do have the best price on Low Sodium Vegetable Stock. Their prices on Organic produce are generally lower than anywhere else. This is where I go for bags of Organic Ruby Red Grapefruits, Red Potatoes, Russets, Leeks, Greens, Broccoli, and Organic Garlic.
- Many kudos to Von's for offering Organic foods.Their fresh Organic Apples, Bananas, Potatoes, Yams, Onions (Red and Yellow), Spaghetti Squash, Avocados, and Heirloom Tomatoes are all generally fresh and of good quality. I even scored some very nice Organic Brussels Sprouts lately. Their private label "O Organics" is probably the best value on the planet. And they should be applauded for their Organic baby foods.
- Ralph's offers a very limited choice of Organic produce. It is generally high priced, and low quality. How can a Produce Manager not know that you should never refrigerate potatoes (especially in a case that is constantly being misted)?
- Very important: Just because a fruit or vegetable is not labeled "Organic" does not mean that it's not. Some small, local farms simply just cannot afford to get their farms "Certified" Organic. Try looking for the product's origin. If it's local, it might be organic (if it's fresh, it most likely will be good), if it's imported, it is most likely suspect. Or do what I do: Make friends with the Produce Manager of the store (or stores) that you shop at, and ask him (or her) where the food you are buying has come from.
- By far, the best source of fresh Organic fruits and vegetables on the planet (other than your own garden) is you local Farmer's Markets. When you buy there, you support local farmers (our Hero's). Please understand that they may very well be "Organic" Farms even though they are not "Certified" as such. Hint: Show up at your local Farmer's Market early to make sure you get the freshest produce (not all local farmers have refrigerated trucks).
:: Source: [Don's Digital Café, San Diego, CA, USA]
:: Image Credit: [Don Cook, Don's Digital Café, San Diego, CA, USA]
:: Innovation: Shopping for Organic foods.
:: Available: Now.
:: Cost: $Depends on product and amount.
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