Eating healthfully can be expensive, especially if you don't know any money-saving tricks for doing so. The cost of California seasonal produce (or any state, for that matter) can be very high, and organic foods, while certainly the healthier choice, are more expensive than non-organic. With enough time and know-how, however, you can save on healthy grocery shopping. Here are a few ideas for how to do that.
1. Buy foods that are local and in-season. When foods are shipped from elsewhere, there are often high shipping costs involved, so the stores charge more for those foods in order to compensate. Sometimes, local foods cost less. Additionally, buying locally is a better choice for the environment. For these reasons, it is a good option to explore.
2. Compare prices at different stores. While one store may charge less for dry goods, another may charge less for fruits and vegetables. When you learn the stores with the best prices on individual items, you can maximize your savings. This can take extra time, but it gets easier as you learn to build the trips into your schedule, and it can certainly be worthwhile.
3. Shop at wholesale markets. Wholesale markets are able to charge lower prices because they get their stock directly from the people who produce it. This cuts out many overhead costs such as extra shipping and storage. It also means that the products are fresher and have exchanged hands fewer times than those at a large, chain grocery store.
4. Frequent farmers' markets. This is a great way to buy local food that is in season. This food is even closer to its source than food from wholesale markets. The sellers are often the farmers themselves. With this type of direct commerce, you can often get local food of much higher quality for a better price than you pay at the grocery store.
5. Do not be embarrassed to apply for food assistance. People with large families or with low incomes sometimes find themselves in need of extra help. This is nothing to be ashamed of. When we work, we pay taxes that go toward this program. Therefore, when you find yourself in need, why not take advantage of a program you have already contributed to? Many states offer perks such as doubling the value of your food stamps at farmers' markets. This benefits both the customer and the farmer.
6. Check for specials. In grocery stores, items that are slightly damaged or about to pass their sell-by dates are often sold at greatly reduced prices. Obviously, you need to be smart and careful about this. Check the fruits and vegetables before purchasing them, to make sure they are not too rotten or damaged to be used. However, you can often get great deals this way, especially when you are purchasing vegetables for cooking in soups or stir-frys. In this case, a bruise or two will not make much of a difference.
Following these suggestions can help you make healthful choices and save at the same time. Organic foods, California seasonal produce, and other health foods are within your reach. Stock up on the items for which you find the best deals, and freeze them, can them, or pickle them to maximize the savings.
1. Buy foods that are local and in-season. When foods are shipped from elsewhere, there are often high shipping costs involved, so the stores charge more for those foods in order to compensate. Sometimes, local foods cost less. Additionally, buying locally is a better choice for the environment. For these reasons, it is a good option to explore.
2. Compare prices at different stores. While one store may charge less for dry goods, another may charge less for fruits and vegetables. When you learn the stores with the best prices on individual items, you can maximize your savings. This can take extra time, but it gets easier as you learn to build the trips into your schedule, and it can certainly be worthwhile.
3. Shop at wholesale markets. Wholesale markets are able to charge lower prices because they get their stock directly from the people who produce it. This cuts out many overhead costs such as extra shipping and storage. It also means that the products are fresher and have exchanged hands fewer times than those at a large, chain grocery store.
4. Frequent farmers' markets. This is a great way to buy local food that is in season. This food is even closer to its source than food from wholesale markets. The sellers are often the farmers themselves. With this type of direct commerce, you can often get local food of much higher quality for a better price than you pay at the grocery store.
5. Do not be embarrassed to apply for food assistance. People with large families or with low incomes sometimes find themselves in need of extra help. This is nothing to be ashamed of. When we work, we pay taxes that go toward this program. Therefore, when you find yourself in need, why not take advantage of a program you have already contributed to? Many states offer perks such as doubling the value of your food stamps at farmers' markets. This benefits both the customer and the farmer.
6. Check for specials. In grocery stores, items that are slightly damaged or about to pass their sell-by dates are often sold at greatly reduced prices. Obviously, you need to be smart and careful about this. Check the fruits and vegetables before purchasing them, to make sure they are not too rotten or damaged to be used. However, you can often get great deals this way, especially when you are purchasing vegetables for cooking in soups or stir-frys. In this case, a bruise or two will not make much of a difference.
Following these suggestions can help you make healthful choices and save at the same time. Organic foods, California seasonal produce, and other health foods are within your reach. Stock up on the items for which you find the best deals, and freeze them, can them, or pickle them to maximize the savings.
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