Save Money Buying Organic Locally Grown Food At The Farmers Market
Organic foods are all the rage these days for good reason. They are healthy, fresh, devoid of many harmful pesticides and chemicals, and don’t pollute the environment. Unfortunately, organically grown foods can be anywhere from 10% to 100% more expensive than their non-organic counterparts, making it difficult for families on a budget to go green. Organic produce aisles in large supermarket chains like Publix and Kroger are often small, expensive, and offer a limited selection. It is unlikely you’ll find a bargain on organic foods at a regular supermarket chain. Similarly, Whole Foods isn’t nicknamed “Whole Paycheck” for no reason.
Why Organic Is So Pricey
The term “organic” has a very specific meaning when applied to produce. According to the USDA,
“Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.”
Furthermore,
“Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”
This extra organic certification can be extremely expensive for many organic farmers. In fact, most of the premium price for organic food comes from a combination of expenses arising from this certification process and transportation costs involved in shipping and distributing their produce nationwide (which isn’t exactly green, to say the least).
Buy Local Organic Produce At The Farmers Market And Save
Many small local farmers have been using organic farming methods since before the term “organic” was coined. To them, that’s just the way things are done and always have been. Since they don’t go through the USDA’s organic certification process, they can pass on those substantial savings to you. Similarly, they don’t have large shipping costs to cover since in many cases, the farmers market is just a short drive from the source. All this means you benefit from healthy, pesticide-free food at a price comparable to non-organic food in your supermarket. It is also DELICIOUS. You can’t even compare the taste of fresh produce to what you’ll find in a supermarket.
Ask If The Merchandise Was Farmed Organically
Since produce at the farmers market is unlikely to be labeled Organic, you need to ask. If you’ve never been to a Farmers Market, most farmers love to talk about food. They are generally especially proud of the fruits of their labor and will be happy to discuss their farming methods with you. In the end, you gain a friend, healthy food at a reasonable price, and help out Mother Earth to boot. Not bad for a day’s work.
