How to Save on Organic Food
Shop Smart shares strategies to buy organic food without breaking the bank.
Mach 28, 2008— -- Buying organic food doesn't have to mean spending more money.
"Good Morning America" consumer correspondent Elisabeth Leamy teamed with Shop Smart, a bimonthly magazine from Consumer Reports, to learn ways to save.
"The key way to save if you're on a budget is to prioritize your organic spending," said Lisa Freeman of Shop Smart magazine.
Because packaged foods are processed, even if they're organic, it's better to focus your organic spending on fresh foods like meat, milk and produce.
"There are certain types of produce that retain pesticide residue more than others," Freeman said. If a fruit or vegetable comes with a protective peel, buying organic is less important.
Shop Smart instead recommends investing in organic peaches, apples, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears and imported grapes. Key vegetables to buy organic include lettuce, spinach, celery, potatoes and sweet bell peppers.
Be aware that misting can spread pesticide residue from conventional produce onto organic produce, and look for displays where the organics are kept separate.
Shop Smart says certain "labels" aren't worth the money either. For example, the terms "cage-free" and "free-roaming" on eggs aren't tightly regulated. If a product is described as "natural" that's only as reliable as the company making the claim.
Instead, look for labels that say "USDA Organic, "Certified Organic" and "100 percent organic." Those are claims regulated by the Department of Agriculture and are held to a high standard.
"You're just better off buying "organic," because then you know there are standards that stand behind those products," said Freeman.
Some of the most well-known organic brands, such as Earthbound Farms, Health Valley, Stonyfield Farm and Annie's Homegrown offer coupons right on their Web sites, often for substantial savings.
Many coupon sites have an organic section and let you print out coupons to use in-store.
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