6 Tricks to Save Tons of Money on Sustainable Foods

When I first started on my green food journey I got a bit carried away. As a result, I got hit hard at the checkout line. Over the past couple of years I've learned some really helpful tricks of the trade when it comes to eating green and saving green at the same time. Yes, there are the obvious tips, i.e. don't go to the grocery store hungry and come with a list, but when it comes to green food shopping, there really are some deals to be had. Just because the economy is looking grim, that's no reason to go back to Lucky Charms and Ramen, here are my tips for discount driven green food shopping:

1. Join a Food Co-op

If you join a food cooperation or buying club you can save tons of dough with member discounts. In addition to that, co-op members that volunteer their time to working at the co-op store can receive even more discounts. Food co-ops have the same great organic and sustainable products as your health foods stores, but they're much cheaper. Find a co-op in your area.

2. Join a CSA

This is a great way to get all your local, sustainable produce and dairy at cheaper prices. If you buy direct from the farmers there is no mark up. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) means that you pay a certain amount (usually between $200 and $250 annually) for a portion of what your local farmer will be harvesting that season. You can even volunteer at the farm if they allow you to for even deeper discounts.

3. Shop at Your Neighborhood Store

I know first hand the difference in price between shopping at your big name (I'll leave the names out) organic grocers and a neighborhood health foods store. The cost of my organic groceries dropped drastically when I started shopping at my local health foods store. I think this is partially because the store isn't set up by marketing gurus to make me buy more than I need and partially because the local market sells more local, sustainable products at an inherently lower rate. If the store doesn't have everything that you need, start there and hit the bigger stores after you have drastically reduced your list.

4. Shop the Perimeter

This is a lesson in eating cheaper and healthier. The perimeter of the store is where you'll find all your fruits, veggies, protein, dairy, homemade bread, and juices. If you go up and down the aisles you're bound to pick up stuff that you just don't need like chips, cookies, and other snack foods.

5. Hit the Farmers' Market First

This is sort of an obvious one but I still feel the need to say it. If you buy your seasonal fruits, veggies, dairy, etc. at the farmers' market before hand you'll save money by just buying a few things at the grocery store. Seasonal foods at the farmers' market cost less than goods that were trucked all the way across the country and you're buying your foods straight from the source. Cutting out the middle man is always cheaper.

6. Make Your Own Staple Foods

The shorter the grocery list, the more dough you can save and with a few simple recipes made with items you likely already have, you can save some hard cash. These recipes are also better for you because they're less processed and you can control the fat, calories, and quality of the ingredients that you use. Check out my guide to staple foods that you can make at home for cheap.

Interested in hearing what celebrities have to say about green? Eavesdrop on their dinner conversations on Planet Green TV's Supper Club.