Organix

     This is my first visit to USA and at first everything seemed to be interesting in food.The very first day we went to buy some groceries from 'Walmart' that was the first time I have noticed 'Organic Food' but to be frank i have never heard of it before and sure that many who are reading this haven't in India ,this organic food is expensive and I opted to buy some fresh groceries rather than organic.

At that time I have no idea how important is eating organic food to health .One day as we are watching some food documentary we came across this organic food and its cons and was shocked to hear why the groceries we buy are so cheap as they are raised with pesticides and harmful chemicals .

         
People are aware of the benefits of eating organic foods. They have been proven to contain a higher percentage of nutrients, have no pesticide residue, generally taste better and have positive benefits on the environment and the people who farm them.

So why don't more people eat organic?Because we feel it's too expensive. It costs an average of 30% more for organic goods than for conventionally grown products and not everyone has that extra money to spare. But by employing smart shopping tactics, you can save money and eat healthier.

What is Organic Food exactly:

There are many products available in market like 'Natural','Farm grown', 'Hormone Free' these products are not Organic don't confuse organic with these products .

•  There are regulations for organic food adopting ambiance and it comes with U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic seal. consider them as 100% organic 
•  Organic" foods have a minimum of 95% organic ingredients and are also eligible by law to use the USDA organic seal.

  The "dirty dozen" refers to 12 fruits and vegetables that the nonprofit Environmental Working Group says are among the most susceptible to pesticide residue, and thus most profitable to buy organic. They are:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

 The Environmental Working Group also has a list of 12 fruits and veggies likely to have the fewest pesticide residues, which may not be worth the added cost of buying organic. They are:

• Papaya
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Bananas
• Kiwi
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Asparagus
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Sweet corn (frozen)
• Avocado
• Onions

 Rising prices don't have to mean that cost-conscious consumers must give up the advantages of organic food,here are some of the tips and tactics for buying more efficiently and healthily at a affordable price :

• Evaluate the food products that you consume every day. Decide which products makeup the core of your diet. The next time you're in the supermarket, check out the natural foods section or visit your local natural foods market. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that organic milk does not cost significantly more than your normal brand and considering the huge health benefits (no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics), this is a great place to start - especially if you have children.

•  Purchase accordingly to the seasons in Farmers market so that you can save big. This is a great source for in-season, fresh produce that if not certified organic, may still be pesticide free since it does not travel far. Many cities have farmers' markets year-round, rain or shine.

•  Become a member of food cooperative with a very little money like 15$ so that u can get a rebate for 12 to 15 % of your purchases.

•  Like every other Super market u can get coupons at the very package itself which u can redeem while checking out.you can even get incentives to try product by visiting the websites.These are the two great websites.

• You can even save on the sale ,organic products go on sale the same as anything else. This is where you can scoop up some great deals. The idea here is store up be flexible and stock up when something you like goes on sale. 

•  Buy in bulk,this is one area that many people ignore and can save you quite a bit of money. You can purchase ¼ lb or 5 lbs - the difference is that you are not paying for packaging. Your local grocery store and natural foods stores have bulk isles where you simply fill a bag, write the price on the twist tie and they'll weigh it at the register.

• The  websites( stonyfieldfarms.com & mambosprouts.com) offer a great selection of food manufacturers with links to their home pages where you can request information and additional coupons such as Smucker Quality Beverages and even you can contact Smuckers at 530-899-5010 and request product coupons.