5 Ways to Save on Organic Food

The price of food may be soaring, but buying conventional produce rather than organic may end up costing more in the long run. “Eating organic now could save you from expensive health problems down the line,” says John A. McDougall, MD, author of The McDougall Plan: 12 Days to Dynamic Health (Plume Publishing). “Pesticides cause neurological damage and promote breast and other endocrine cancers.” Five strategies to skimp on costs, not health:

Stick to what’s in season. When there’s an abundance of a particular fruit or veggie, the price drops.

Plant a garden. It’s an inexpensive and fun way to get your own fresh produce. You’ll never have to wonder where your food came from—and you won’t have to fill up on gas to get to the store.

Plan your meals. Shopping efficiently will also cut down on gasoline-consuming trips to the store.

Support local growers. The more distance the food travels from farm to table, the greater the environmental cost. Plus, you can ask local farmers about discounts or even bartering opportunities.

Shop at a co-op. Food co-ops purchase mostly unprocessed, organic food in bulk, which means you won’t pay for packaging or manufacturing costs.