Frugal Organic

It would be really nice to be able to just go to the store and buy whatever organic items you wanted.  Chances are though, that doesn't fit into the budget.  Here are some suggestions about how to shop organically in Fort Wayne.

1.        Use your organic $$$ wisely. 

The US government issues 2 lists based on concentration of pesticide residues on produce.  You want to buy organic for the items on the “Dirty Dozen” list.  The “Clean 15” list is generally safe to choose conventional growing methods.

**Dirty Dozen**

·         Peaches

·         Apples

·         Sweet bell peppers

·         Celery

·         Nectarines

·         Strawberries

·         Cherries

·         Kale

·         Lettuce

·         Grapes (Imported)

·         Carrots

·         Pears

**Clean 15**

·         Onions

·         Avacados

·         Sweet Corn (frozen)

·         Pineapples

·         Mangoes

·         Sweet Peas

·         Kiwis

·         Cabbage

·         Eggplant

·         Papayas

·         Watermelon

·         Broccoli

·         Tomatoes

·         Sweet Potatoes

2.        Do it Yourself/Buy Locally

There is no better way to eat organic frugally in the Fort than to grow it yourself.  You actually don’t have to have acres of land to do it, either.  You can check out allyou.com/garden for a great step by step for beginning gardeners.  You can even do container gardening on a deck or patio.  Here is a reference for container gardening.  You also can band together with family or friends to swap produce that you have each grown.  Start your research early so you are ready to get started in the spring. 
Buying locally can be another great way to save.  Check out Kate's post about our local farmer's markets.

3.        Frugal Freezer

Once you have harvested a bountiful crop from your garden, you need to make it last.  Essentially, you “shop from your freezer”.  It is not is not only more economical, but it is really convenient, too.  For example, if you have grown a bumper crop of green peppers, chop those babies up and put them in a bag in the freezer to be used in omelets, casseroles,  etc. 

4.        Use Coupons

There are several sites that have printable coupons for organic items.  Also,  many manufacturer  coupons for conventional items work on their organics as well.  For example;  Ragu,  Bertolli, and Marzetti all have separate organic and conventional lines.  Just because a coupon doesn’t say that it is for the organic items, doesn’t mean that it can’t be used for it.  Just make sure that it doesn’t specifically exclude it. 

Here is a list of websites for access to printable and sign-ups for mailers for organic and natural coupons

·         Mambosprouts.com/coupons

·         Deliciouslivingmag.com/coupons

·         Organicvalley.coop/coupons

·         Organicdeals.blogspot.com

·         Stoneyfield.com/coupons

·         Healthsavers.com

5.        Other miscellaneous tips:

·         Babies and toddlers are more vulnerable to the effects of pesticides.  Consider buying organic versions of the things your little ones eat the most.  (I know it’s apples and carrots around here!)

·         Many stores have a “house brand” that is organic.  Here in Fort Wayne places such as Kroger, Walmart, and Meijer all have a store brand organic item.  Check these out for big savings as well.  Sometimes there are even Catalina printouts (the little coupons that print with your receipt) at Meijer or mPerks for savings on Meijer’s organic line.