Comments on: Guest Post: How I buy organic, fresh foods for pennies http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: TwinToddlersDad http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272786 TwinToddlersDad Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:13:50 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272786 Good post. In a recent blog post, I offer some more ideas for buying organic on a budget. Check it out and let me know what you think http://www.littlestomaks.com/2008/10/29/5-ways-to-buy-organic-on-a-budget/ Good post. In a recent blog post, I offer some more ideas for buying organic on a budget. Check it out and let me know what you think

http://www.littlestomaks.com/2008/10/29/5-ways-to-buy-organic-on-a-budget/

]]> By: The Good Deal Gal http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272785 The Good Deal Gal Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:46:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272785 Although my stores don't give overage, I too buy organic produce at the local farmer's market, through a co-op, and when it in season at the grocery store. Most of the time it is only 5-10cents more than non-organic. For other natural, organic food items I send emails over to my favorite health-food companies to enlist them in help on my money-saving adventure. I have a post over at my blog listing companies that I have had great success with. (http://gooddealgal.blogspot.com/2008/09/cant-find-coupons-just-ask.html) Although my stores don’t give overage, I too buy organic produce at the local farmer’s market, through a co-op, and when it in season at the grocery store. Most of the time it is only 5-10cents more than non-organic.

For other natural, organic food items I send emails over to my favorite health-food companies to enlist them in help on my money-saving adventure. I have a post over at my blog listing companies that I have had great success with. (http://gooddealgal.blogspot.com/2008/09/cant-find-coupons-just-ask.html)

]]> By: Hannelore http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272784 Hannelore Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:50:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272784 I have a long term goal of being able to cut costs elsewhere in the food budget to afford organic food as much as possible. With that said, for me, organic dairy and meat are more important than organic fruit and vegetables. Toxins (such as pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones etc) are stored in the fat of all animals and so foods with more fat are a more concentrated source of toxins. Therefore, organic butter is a prioritiy for us when we can afford it! Then after that trying to get organic meat, then fruit and vegetables that you eat the skins of, then peelable fruit/vegetables. Also, a good fruit & veggie wash is a great idea! And you can google ingredients to make your own to save a little money. Others shared some great ideas! I have a long term goal of being able to cut costs elsewhere in the food budget to afford organic food as much as possible. With that said, for me, organic dairy and meat are more important than organic fruit and vegetables. Toxins (such as pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones etc) are stored in the fat of all animals and so foods with more fat are a more concentrated source of toxins. Therefore, organic butter is a prioritiy for us when we can afford it! Then after that trying to get organic meat, then fruit and vegetables that you eat the skins of, then peelable fruit/vegetables. Also, a good fruit & veggie wash is a great idea! And you can google ingredients to make your own to save a little money. Others shared some great ideas!

]]> By: Nancy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272783 Nancy Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:46:35 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272783 Hi, we have 8 horses and with 8 horses - you know what that means - fertilizer - well, we have a gardener that needs fertilizer so a win-win is we give him our fertilizer for free and he brings us fruits and vegetables for giving him the fertilizer! He is an organic gardener so we do not have to worry about chemicals. So we have to get or meat but we know some people who raise cattle and we go in with other families to get a steer for slaughter. Hi, we have 8 horses and with 8 horses – you know what that means – fertilizer – well, we have a gardener that needs fertilizer so a win-win is we give him our fertilizer for free and he brings us fruits and vegetables for giving him the fertilizer! He is an organic gardener so we do not have to worry about chemicals. So we have to get or meat but we know some people who raise cattle and we go in with other families to get a steer for slaughter.

]]> By: Stacy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272782 Stacy Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:02:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272782 Sounds like we may be some of the only ones who are benefiting from going the CSA/co-op route. Ours is set up so that you only pay when you order a basket (no membership fee), and you get a share of whatever is bought that week. For $15 we're consistently getting at least $30 worth of produce. Most of it is things we normally eat- apples, bananas, pears, tomatoes, onions, etc, but we've had a few more unusual things. Its been fun figuring out how to use it so nothing goes to waste, and has definitely made it easier to stretch our grocery budget every month. The link (for anyone in the Phoenix area) is www.bountifulbaskets.org Sounds like we may be some of the only ones who are benefiting from going the CSA/co-op route. Ours is set up so that you only pay when you order a basket (no membership fee), and you get a share of whatever is bought that week. For $15 we’re consistently getting at least $30 worth of produce. Most of it is things we normally eat- apples, bananas, pears, tomatoes, onions, etc, but we’ve had a few more unusual things. Its been fun figuring out how to use it so nothing goes to waste, and has definitely made it easier to stretch our grocery budget every month.
The link (for anyone in the Phoenix area) is http://www.bountifulbaskets.org

]]> By: Cireena http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272781 Cireena Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:48:30 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272781 This year I joined a CSA for the first time. I enjoyed it, but as with the other comment, I received a lot of produce I ended up not using and it went to waste. I also grow a garden, but I have not had good harvests so far. I need to work the soil some more and tend to it better, each year I hope to do more with the garden so I can buy less at the store. I purchase my Dairy and Meats from a local farm, and visit the Farmers market when I'm not a member of a CSA. Right now to save money, EVERYTHING is not organic just the things that are the most important to me, and I have been shopping at Wal-Mart instead of my Local Grocery Store, and use coupons. I don't like it, but for now it's necessary. This year I joined a CSA for the first time. I enjoyed it, but as with the other comment, I received a lot of produce I ended up not using and it went to waste. I also grow a garden, but I have not had good harvests so far. I need to work the soil some more and tend to it better, each year I hope to do more with the garden so I can buy less at the store. I purchase my Dairy and Meats from a local farm, and visit the Farmers market when I’m not a member of a CSA. Right now to save money, EVERYTHING is not organic just the things that are the most important to me, and I have been shopping at Wal-Mart instead of my Local Grocery Store, and use coupons. I don’t like it, but for now it’s necessary.

]]> By: Jamie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272780 Jamie Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:50:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272780 Wow - I love the idea of extras from coupons! I never knew that stores did that. I have always just stuck with a tight budget and therefore didn't worry so much about coupon cutting, but you might have just won me over! Thanks for the info! Wow – I love the idea of extras from coupons! I never knew that stores did that. I have always just stuck with a tight budget and therefore didn’t worry so much about coupon cutting, but you might have just won me over! Thanks for the info!

]]> By: Rachel http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272779 Rachel Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:11:21 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272779 I am intrigued at your September spending of only $11. (I read that on the current post at your blog). I am curious though if this total includes newspapers. How do you get all of your coupons? You must get A LOT of coupons. I have not really asked people for their extras and am not really into dumpster diving....how do you get so many? I am intrigued at your September spending of only $11. (I read that on the current post at your blog). I am curious though if this total includes newspapers. How do you get all of your coupons? You must get A LOT of coupons. I have not really asked people for their extras and am not really into dumpster diving….how do you get so many?

]]> By: FarmNana http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272778 FarmNana Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:28:10 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272778 Our church is collecting items to send to our soldiers overseas. It is delightful to be able to donate deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, Dr. Scholl's pads, and lots of other free/or almost free items. God bless our brothers and husbands who are risking their lives and giving up the comforts of home for our freedom! Our church is collecting items to send to our soldiers overseas. It is delightful to be able to donate deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, Dr. Scholl’s pads, and lots of other free/or almost free items. God bless our brothers and husbands who are risking their lives and giving up the comforts of home for our freedom!

]]> By: Catherine R. http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272777 Catherine R. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:20:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272777 LOL Spam, Hamburger Helper...and toothpaste! It always seems like I have 8 coupons at a time for toothpaste alone and hardly ever any good coupons for actual food. You ladies are way ahead of me in couponing skill. I still spend too much most of the time and live in an area with higher prices. LOL Spam, Hamburger Helper…and toothpaste! It always seems like I have 8 coupons at a time for toothpaste alone and hardly ever any good coupons for actual food.

You ladies are way ahead of me in couponing skill. I still spend too much most of the time and live in an area with higher prices.

]]> By: Katie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272776 Katie Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:04:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272776 When it comes to organic, the best way I save money is by NOT BUYING ORGANIC. I am a dairy farmer and understand how milk is produced. I know how much hype and misinformation is provided to consumers thinking that organic has to be better than conventional foods. Truth is, they are pretty similar and both have their pros & cons. To me, its not worth paying more money for something that is the same. While I thoroughly agree with supporting local farmers, I do not agree with buying organic. When it comes to organic, the best way I save money is by NOT BUYING ORGANIC. I am a dairy farmer and understand how milk is produced. I know how much hype and misinformation is provided to consumers thinking that organic has to be better than conventional foods. Truth is, they are pretty similar and both have their pros & cons. To me, its not worth paying more money for something that is the same. While I thoroughly agree with supporting local farmers, I do not agree with buying organic.

]]> By: Sally http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272775 Sally Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:01:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272775 None of the stores near me (Atlanta, Ga area) will give overage on manufacture coupons. Cvs, will give overage on their store coupons, the other stores do not allow overage on store coupons. I use the $5/$25 (precoupon total) kroger entertainment coupons, at publix/kroger, along w/ coups that make an item free, to pay for produce/meat/milk. Also, getting all health/beauty items for free, also leaves room for the healthier food! I second the garden idea, we do that also! Fruit trees, pay for themselves very quickly!! One plum tree, produced 50+lbs of plums this yr. We gifted some, ate some, juiced some, and froze some. Many people have fruit trees they won't eat off of- check w/ your neighbors, many won't mind if you pick some! The CSA's around me are more of a donation,than a source of fresh produce. I was sorely dissapointed after joining and finding out I was getting $5/produce/week, in exchange for my $30/week payment. I would love to help local farmers, but I can't afford a $25/week donation! Make sure there is a system in place, in case a crop is small or the growers have issues. None of the stores near me (Atlanta, Ga area) will give overage on manufacture coupons. Cvs, will give overage on their store coupons, the other stores do not allow overage on store coupons.

I use the $5/$25 (precoupon total) kroger entertainment coupons, at publix/kroger, along w/ coups that make an item free, to pay for produce/meat/milk. Also, getting all health/beauty items for free, also leaves room for the healthier food!

I second the garden idea, we do that also! Fruit trees, pay for themselves very quickly!! One plum tree, produced 50+lbs of plums this yr. We gifted some, ate some, juiced some, and froze some. Many people have fruit trees they won’t eat off of- check w/ your neighbors, many won’t mind if you pick some!

The CSA’s around me are more of a donation,than a source of fresh produce. I was sorely dissapointed after joining and finding out I was getting $5/produce/week, in exchange for my $30/week payment. I would love to help local farmers, but I can’t afford a $25/week donation! Make sure there is a system in place, in case a crop is small or the growers have issues.

]]> By: Calee http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272774 Calee Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:51:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272774 Check out ethnic markets! We shop mainly at a Middle Eastern Grocery store that often has organic, but also just has really cheap fresh produce. Avocados are $1 each at Ralphs--they're often 5/$1 at a local Mexican market. Also- I second the idea of a garden. We have a tiny back yard (patio really) but still grow tons of veggies in a small space. Check out ethnic markets! We shop mainly at a Middle Eastern Grocery store that often has organic, but also just has really cheap fresh produce. Avocados are $1 each at Ralphs–they’re often 5/$1 at a local Mexican market.

Also- I second the idea of a garden. We have a tiny back yard (patio really) but still grow tons of veggies in a small space.

]]> By: $5 Dinner Mom http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272773 $5 Dinner Mom Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:13:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272773 1. Trader Joes! I recently discovered it! It is inexpensive, offers a great variety of organic foods! If you have one near you, check it out! 2. Get on your stores "best customer" list to receive coupons on dairy, eggs, meats. I shop at Kroger and they mail out AWESOME coupons! 3. Save as much as you can on nonperishable items so there's lots of room in the budget for fresh produce and meats. Erin 1. Trader Joes! I recently discovered it! It is inexpensive, offers a great variety of organic foods! If you have one near you, check it out!
2. Get on your stores “best customer” list to receive coupons on dairy, eggs, meats. I shop at Kroger and they mail out AWESOME coupons!
3. Save as much as you can on nonperishable items so there’s lots of room in the budget for fresh produce and meats.
Erin

]]> By: Mandy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272772 Mandy Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:01:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272772 We've been part of 2 different CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) I've not liked them very well, but it is a very good way to get inexpencive organic produce-around here it's about $15/week for a half bushel of fresh local produce. My problem was we got a lot of things we dont' use and not enough of what we do. That said, I'm a huge fan of out farmer's market, go later in the day and ask for a discount. The worst they can say is "no"! We’ve been part of 2 different CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) I’ve not liked them very well, but it is a very good way to get inexpencive organic produce-around here it’s about $15/week for a half bushel of fresh local produce. My problem was we got a lot of things we dont’ use and not enough of what we do.

That said, I’m a huge fan of out farmer’s market, go later in the day and ask for a discount. The worst they can say is “no”!

]]> By: Brandi http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272771 Brandi Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:53:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272771 I buy a lot of organic products at a discount grocery store that is owned by an Amish family where my in-laws live. I stock up about once a month on brand name, organic canned goods, sauces, cereals, teas, coffee, snacks, etc. You have to be a bit choosy because a lot of their items are expired, but I've found that it just doesn't matter with most things (unless it's been expired for a long time!) For produce, I try to grow as much of my own as I can and buy organic the rest of the time. I try to buy only what's on sale. Using the catalina system is a great idea! We have chickens, so we get our own organic eggs. If you have a discount grocery in your area, it's worth looking into! Great post...thanks Beeb and Crystal! Great ideas! I buy a lot of organic products at a discount grocery store that is owned by an Amish family where my in-laws live. I stock up about once a month on brand name, organic canned goods, sauces, cereals, teas, coffee, snacks, etc. You have to be a bit choosy because a lot of their items are expired, but I’ve found that it just doesn’t matter with most things (unless it’s been expired for a long time!)

For produce, I try to grow as much of my own as I can and buy organic the rest of the time. I try to buy only what’s on sale. Using the catalina system is a great idea!

We have chickens, so we get our own organic eggs.

If you have a discount grocery in your area, it’s worth looking into!

Great post…thanks Beeb and Crystal! Great ideas!

]]> By: Lea Ann http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272770 Lea Ann Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:10:37 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272770 You really can get bargains and use coupons for organic and natural foods. I recently wrote a column for a local Dallas Magazine about that very subject. Here it is retooled as a blog article with links to specific coupons. Happy green couponing! http://mommyswishlist.blogspot.com/2008/09/greener-than-you-think.html You really can get bargains and use coupons for organic and natural foods. I recently wrote a column for a local Dallas Magazine about that very subject. Here it is retooled as a blog article with links to specific coupons. Happy green couponing!

http://mommyswishlist.blogspot.com/2008/09/greener-than-you-think.html

]]> By: Lindy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272769 Lindy Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:03:42 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272769 We save money by growing our own garden! We live in a suburban neighborhood with a fenced yard. In the last five years we have grown 3 types of tomatoes, acorn & butternut squash, peppers, cucumbers, red potatoes and blueberries!!! I froze some for the winter months and had a lot to give away! Our friends and neighbors could not believe what we had grown with little maintenance! We even grow fresh herbs around our deck! Plants include: parsley, oregano, basil, rosemary, mint and chives. This year we are going to try to maintain the herbs indoors to have throughout the winter. We save money by growing our own garden! We live in a suburban neighborhood with a fenced yard. In the last five years we have grown 3 types of tomatoes, acorn & butternut squash, peppers, cucumbers, red potatoes and blueberries!!! I froze some for the winter months and had a lot to give away! Our friends and neighbors could not believe what we had grown with little maintenance! We even grow fresh herbs around our deck! Plants include: parsley, oregano, basil, rosemary, mint and chives. This year we are going to try to maintain the herbs indoors to have throughout the winter.

]]> By: Mary Ellen ~ Carolina Momma http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272768 Mary Ellen ~ Carolina Momma Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:03:49 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272768 Great advice! I've found just by using coupons to help save on non-food items (HBA, paper products, cleaning, pet & baby items), I'm able to stretch my grocery dollars further. Which creates more room in the budget to devote to fresh and organic fruits & veggies! Great advice! I’ve found just by using coupons to help save on non-food items (HBA, paper products, cleaning, pet & baby items), I’m able to stretch my grocery dollars further. Which creates more room in the budget to devote to fresh and organic fruits & veggies!

]]> By: Jan http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-how.html/comment-page-1#comment-272767 Jan Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:01:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-how.html#comment-272767 Nice post but no stores around here give overages. They adjust the coupon down to the purchase price. I sometimes do catalina deals- but only if I need the items. Nice post but no stores around here give overages. They adjust the coupon down to the purchase price. I sometimes do catalina deals- but only if I need the items.

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