Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Fumbling Toward Grace

Home
Catholic
Sustainable Eating On a Budget: Part II

Sustainable Eating On a Budget: Part II

Last updated on: June 6, 2012 at 8:00 am by Sarah Babbs

Sustainable Eating On a Budget: Part II 2012-06-06T08:00:33-04:00 Sarah Babbs

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Here in Part II of this series on sustainable eating, I will look at some of the nuts and bolts ways to save money on sustainably raised/grown food.

1. Farmer’s Markets or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Go to the farmer’s market! No, seriously. Go. It’s nearly June. Summer is upon us and farmer’s markets are bursting with delicious, sustainable produce just begging to be eaten. There’s nothing like the first strawberries of the season.

Local Harvest is an amazing website which will connect you with places in your area which have sustainable food. Find a farmer’s market here!

When you shop at a farmer’s market, there’s no middle man. You are buying directly from the producer. Not only are you supporting the local economy, a small business owner, and sustainable agriculture…you are saving money, particularly on produce.

While you’re at the farmer’s market, buy a whole chicken. Do it (if you like chicken).

It took me an embarassingly long time to realize how much money can be saved when you buy a whole chicken versus boneless, skinless breasts. At the farmer’s market, we get a whole, 3 pound chicken for about 8.50. That’s less than three dollars per pound. At the grocery, free-range, boneless, skinless breasts cost nearly SIX dollars per pound! That’s insane. Please don’t pay six dollars per pound for chicken. Just cook the darn thing and take the skin off. There you go. Go to the farmer’s market.

If you don’t have time to go and meander through a farmer’s market (although I think it’s one of the true pleasures of summer), you can sign up for a CSA, or community supported agriculture. Some will deliver to your door, some will have you pick up in one location. It’s basically a bin full of whatever produce a particular farm has for that week (some are bi-weekly). Same idea as the farmer’s market, but more of a time-saver for the busy.

2. Keep Your Eyes Peeled

If you get a Sunday paper, there are coupons inside. Grab those suckers and get to work. Occasionally there will be a coupon for Eggland’s Best cage-free brown eggs, or for Organic Valley dairy, or Stoneyfield Farms organic yogurt. Keep your eyes peeled and you can find good deals through the paper.

In a similar vein, did you know you can print coupons from the Internet? I know, crazy right? I love technology.

Whole Foods has printable (as well as in store) coupons that change bi-weekly.

Organic Deals has great coupons and grocery store deals for organic and sustainable products.

You can also print coupons from Horizon Organic, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm.

Check the manager’s special table at the grocery. One time I got Puffins for $1.00 per box (normally $4.00) because they had too many and wanted to get rid of them.

Also, I have made a habit of checking the meat department for manager’s special. If you live in a mixed-income area like I do, there is always free-range, no hormone added meat that doesn’t sell. So it will go on manager’s special a few days before it’s sell-by date, and I’ll snap it up and stick it in the freezer. Some days it will yield nothing, other days maybe 3 pounds of sustainably raised meat for $6.00.

3. Think inside the (Big)Box

I am not one of those purists who will never buy anything from a Big Box store like Walmart or Meijer (the midwestern version of walmart).

Often, the prices for organic items (if they have them) will be cheaper at a big box store than at a regular grocery.

Or, some stores, like Meijer, have their own organics brand, which is cheaper than other name-brand organics. We get snack crakers, cheese, and bread for prices comparable with name-brand conventional items.

The biggest thing is to be willing to shop around a little and see which store(s) have the best selection of the sustainable items that your family decides are worth buying.

It takes a bit of work, but we’ve been able to figure out a mix of farmer’s market, grocery, and big box store options that save us the most money and let us eat sustainably.

4. Get Growing!

One of the best sources of local, sustainable produce is your back yard. Or, if you don’t have a yard, how about a little container garden?

Now, I know that not everyone has the time, space, or inclination to start a vegetable garden. But if you are interested in growing some of your own food, I found a few books and sites which might be helpful.

You Growl Girl

Organic Gardening

Week By Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook by Ron and Jennifer Kujawski

There are many websites and books that can be helpful for people who want to garden sustainably, regardless of the amount of space you have available.

These are just a few ways we have been able to save money on sustainable eating, and which I hope can be helpful for others. I would love to hear ideas or things that have helped you, so please do leave a comment!

Culture

food

sustainable eating

Previous Post

May 30, 2012

Sustainable Eating on a Budget: Part I

Next Post

June 8, 2012 7 Quick Takes Friday!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 7 QT Beauty and Style Blogging Books Catholic Culture Family Funny Making House Poetry Social Justice The Children Uncategorized Various Women

Select a Month December 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 December 2017 November 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz