'Tis the season to enjoy the local bounty; fresh produce that's been grown in Michigan. There's something rewarding about filling your fridge and your belly with food that comes from just a few miles away, rather than a few continents away. And if you choose to go the organic route, that's a nice treat too. Buying local isn't just trendy anymore, more and more, it's becoming the norm.
If there is a drawback to eating local and organic foods, it's that it tends to be harder on the 'ol wallet. With that in mind, here are some tips for eating local and organic foods without breaking the bank.
Join a CSA: By supporting a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, you'll pay for weekly or bi-weekly boxes of locally harvested foods. By paying the farmers up front, typically in the beginning of the season, you can save a significant amount of money (and time in the grocery store) in the long run. If the weekly allotment is too much for you or your family – some people can't make it through all that produce – try splitting a subscription with friends or neighbors or look for farms that offer half subscriptions.
Stock up on sales: See your favorite organic cereal on sale for only $1.69? Grab a whole bunch. Although this tends to work better with dry goods rather than produce, stocking up on frequently used sale items can save you beaucoup bucks.
Buy bulk: These days, many stores have bulk bins for grains, cereals, pasta, dried fruit, snack mixes, teas, honey, peanut butter, shampoos, and many other food and home products. When you buy bulk, you're not only reducing packaging, you're also saving a good amount of money.
Go big: Buying in larger quantities, directly from a farmer or from a local store, can often save you money. Ask your farmer or the store manager if they have any deals for buying by the case. Or, if you're a meat eater, buy a whole or half carcass that's split into servings, and store it in the freezer for the year ahead. If it's too much money up front, pool together with other folks and split up larger quantities.
Food triage: Make sure the foods you use most are organic and/or local. The Organic Consumers Association newsletter recommends the "80/20 Rule," where "80 percent of the benefits come from 20 percent of the purchases." They give an example: if your family drinks a gallon of milk a week, but only one tablespoon of mayo, buy organic milk and non-organic mayo.
Buy in season: Produce that's in season is almost always less expensive. Eating seasonally can save you cashola, and you're getting the best flavor to boot.
For any questions, call or contact Schoen Insurance Agency today.
