organic groceries- what first???

[momomom]

So, I am more of a lurker here... I usually post in the thrifty forum. I have been on a really tight food budget, but I've stockpiled enough-including a 6 mo supply of organic whole wheat flour from an awesome sale- to be able to do a few more organics. Which of these foods are the highest priority to buy organic???

Here are the foods we eat frequently- at least 1-2x/ week- that are available in organic at reasonable prices:

oatmeal (we eat it every day)
brown rice (3+ times/ week)
pinto beans
black beans
eggs (well, not until May will this be an option, org eggs are 5$ dozen till the farm and art market opens)
lentils and garbanzo beans- I already buy these organic
honey (not org, but local, raw, unfiltered)
carrots
apples
soymilk- already buy it org for yogurt only, we are allergic to unfermented soy
hamburger from a local farmer/ friend- we will def. be buying a bunch soon

We are a no-dairy household.

These things I can't afford to buy organic:
strawberries (i make my own jam from frozen strawberries)
blueberries (frozen, daily on oatmeal)
chicken- 15-20 vs. 4-5 for a single chicken...

Thanks for the input!!!

[fish3737]

I know you said you can't afford organic Strawberries - but these are about the worst for spray. I just buy them seasonally or grow them myself. There is a reason they are huge and beautiful in the store!!!

Apples are another one to buy organic (off your list).

I grow my own blueberries - I have 20 plants - but they are all still young. , So I also pick them in the summer at organic farms, freeze them - and use them all winter. It is way cheaper too and they last a long time in the freezer.

I need to find the link to the dirty dozen.

Here is one:
http://www.oregonlive.com/idahosportugal/index.ssf/2008/11/the_dirty_dozen_fruits_and_veg.html

[Leocaligirl]

Yes apples are one of the biggest pesticide users. Buy organic apples.

[tallanvor]

I would think off your list, apples and grains would be most important.

[mixed_chica]

I know you said you can't afford organic Strawberries - but these are about the worst for spray.
Im on a tight budget myself. If I cant afford the strawberries, I just dont get them. I think apples and strawberries are the worst imo. Ive been to both of these conventional farms and you would just be blown away seeing how much they spray...And this is only what you can see!
Apples are another one to buy organic (off your list).

Same with apples!



[QUOTE=Leocaligirl;9800277]Yes apples are one of the biggest pesticide users. Buy organic apples.
:thumbsup:

The biggest thing I had to realize was that I had to change a lot of my thinking about food, especially because im broke.
If you buy in season, you can get these iteams cheaper.
We eat a lot less meat so we can afford "good" meat! Yes hard at first,but our bodies are now thanking us!
The top of my produce list for organics are iteams that dont have a strong protective covering.
I cannot afford Organic pineapple, but I feel more confident about buying that conventional as opposed to say strawberries.
We also buy all lettuce and grain organic.
We try to eat less, and thats costing us less. We americans actually eat WAY too much anyways! me included:blush:

[britsuz90]

Apples, definately, they are usually not that much more than regular ones.
Strawberries. You can either grow your own. Everberry ones produce twice a year. You can do these easily in containers. DD just outgrew her strawberry allergy, so we are going to be putting in a bunch this year.

TJs carries frozen organix strawberries for only a few cents more than regular

[AmberP]

During strawberry season, our grocery store carries organic strawberries for roughly the same price as non-organic. Sometimes they are on sale for $2 a clamshell.

[momomom]

Thanks, all! I will start w/ apples and oats, then move on to rice and strawberries. We sadly have no TJ's here, but when travelling this spring I may stock up there!

[Kristi17]

HI there, I wanted to add that if you have a sqaurefoot garden (just google that and you will see the website) you can grow your own strawberries SUPER SWEET!!! and organic because they are your own! We do it every year! YUM! :)

[Kristi17]

HI there, I wanted to add that if you have a squarefoot garden (just google that and you will see the website) you can grow your own strawberries SUPER SWEET!!! and organic because they are your own! We do it every year! YUM! :)

[Kristi17]

HI there, I wanted to add that if you have a squarefoot garden (just google that and you will see the website) you can grow your own strawberries SUPER SWEET!!! and organic because they are your own! We do it every year! YUM! :)

[Kristi17]

Sorry about all teh replies!!! DS wasn't cooperating!!