Organic on a food stamp budget?

[Richard D]

It's possible. Takes a little more work, but way beets Ramen.

http://www.organicsoul.com/organic-on-a-food-stamp-budget/

[ixion]

1. yeah, don't buy pre-processed organic food, just buy veggies

bread, etc. The basics.

[Richard D]

2. Even better

Learn how to make bread. I think a loaf of home made organic bread would cost just a couple dollars.
Pasta is fairly easy to make as well. Japanese style can be made with flour, water, a rolling pin, and a knife.

[ixion]

11. Yep, good point!

:toast:

[FirstLight]

3. Our Grocery outlet has a quite nice organic selection

Amy's Pizza is regularly $6-7...i can get it for $2-3...they have everything like applesauce & fruitsnax and ice cream and pancake mix...

what i like is that they also have the organic soaps and shampoos, at less than half the price... i cannot pay $6 for a bottle of shampoo, so it is nice to have that option

[dana_b]

4. yes, you are right however

one of the complaints that I have heard from people on a very limited budget is that there are no farmer's markets in their area. If there is a good public transportation system, it might be better.

Also it looks like she went to Whole Paycheck to get her grocery store items. There are cheaper places (thank God) so that may be why she went over her budget.

[Richard D]

10. What's worked for many . . .

. . . is to start a neighborhood or family buying club.
You can get even cheaper prices by buying in larger quantities.
Send one person from the club to get produce, or better yet get the club big enough so local farmers will deliver.

[dana_b]

12. great idea

thanks!

[SheilaT]

5. You don't even need to go full-on organic

to eat well on a limited budget. But you do need to fix things from scratch.

I'm not on food stamps, but I do have a rather limited budget these days, and I do find it hard to buy spices without taking money from another category to do so. However, I rarely eat out any more, and lucky for me I enjoy cooking. I could do a better job of paying attention to what things are on sale in the grocery store.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Easy to solve the spice problem!

Never, ever buy them in a Supermarket. Go to a more 'healthy' store with bulk bins and jars. Buy spices there. As little as you need, as much as you want. You can buy a tablespoon's worth. They tend to have high quality as well. They also have the baker's needs, baking soda, powder and the like. I just now filled my can o' baking powder w/organic for 38 cents. New can, 1.75. Same store.

[customerserviceguy]

9. There's another cheap source of spices

and it's probably already in your local supermarket. Go to the Mexican/Hispanic food section of the store, find the same stuff they sell in the tiny jars for big bucks in cellophane packages for a fraction of the cost.

[SheilaT]

13. Oddly enough, some things seem to be more

expensive in bulk. Unbleached white flour is maybe three dollars for a five pound bag at the supermarket, but 99 cents a pound bulk.

I have not found spices in bulk at my Sun Fresh. Does Whole Foods sell spices in bulk? I don't often go there. I also don't see baking soda or baking powder in bulk.

[midnight]

6. Looks good... Anyone know what kind of beans she says she is throwing in without soaking?

[Fridays Child]

7. Cannellini.

:)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

14. They make ramen out of beets now?

Ew, gross... :puke:

[Richard D]

15. It's delicious!!

I have a weird sense of humor.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

16. Yea, me too

:hi: