Ways to still save when buying organic foods

Ways to still save when buying organic foods

Tools

Story Published: Jul 16, 2008 at 4:57 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:15 PM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

Watch the story
SEATTLE -- Gas and food prices are at record highs, and household budgets are getting clobbered.

That has forced many people to change what they buy at the supermarket. For some, higher-priced organics are now a luxury they can no longer afford. But you can save on organics, if you know how to shop.

When a half-gallon of organic milk costs $3.89, and a dozen large organic eggs set you back $2.99, and a loaf of organic bread is $4.39, it's easy to see why many are cutting back.

But here's another option: prioritize your organic purchases to get the most bang for your organic buck.

In general, meat, milk and eggs are worth buying organic. But what about produce?

Skip the fruits and vegetables that tend to have little or no pesticide residue and focus on the ones that are more likely to contain these chemicals.

"Leafy vegetables often have residues and then soft-skinned fruit like this peach and this nectarine," said Charles Benbrook, chief scientist with the Organic Center located in Boulder, Colorado. "The pesticide residues that are sprayed on this fruit can very easily go through the skin and contaminate the fruit."

Fruits and vegetables with a thick skin that's not eaten, such as pineapples, bananas, and oranges, tend to have very few residues, if any.

Another money-saving option: go with conventionally-grown frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.

"Packaged goods tend to have zero or only slight residues," said Linda Greer with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "They are cleaner, so to speak, than the fresh produce we buy."

Something else to consider: Organic is more important for children, as they're more vulnerable to pesticide exposure than healthy adults.

If you want to keep some organics in your diet, prioritize your shopping with the list of "Organic Essentials" from (The Organic Center.)

Some organic manufacturers, such as Stonyfield Farm, Organic Valley, and Horizon Organic Dairy now post coupons on their websites.

Weather & Traffic

Icon
Current Temp 66.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
More Weather

Weather & Traffic

More Weather

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Marketplace