[lifehacker]

We are wanting to start eating mostly organic but as a large family with a budget it's a slow process of switching over. I noticed that Coles has quite a lot of organic things like pasta etc that aren't a lot more per packet. Can anyone recommend any brands that are good and not overly expensive?

Also does anyone's kids drink organic milk? My kids are complaining about it, they don't like the taste?

Thanks

[crayons]

In terms of things that may be higher in pesticides than others check out the dirty dozen I can't make link work here. I cannot afford to buy all organic fruit and veg but try to buy organic for the things on this list.

http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214

This post has been edited by sparklyredfish: 02/12/2012, 03:37 PM

[Magenta Ambrosia]

milk flavour depends on what the cows eat Remember when eating organic vegetables to wash thoroughly as people die from not washing organic food properly.

[Roobear]

Do you have a market near you? There organic produce is often a lot cheaper.
We get a $40 seasonal box of organic veg and fruit delivered to us every week, we sometimes run out and just do a quick top up maybe $10 at the supermarket.
We get $80 worth of organic meat delivered to us fortnightly as well.
We have 3 - 4 meat dishes a week and the rest vegetarian... we eat 100% organic meat about 80% fruit/veg and everything else around 50%... we spend around $150 a week on groceries.

[lifehacker]

That's a great list sparklyredfish - thanks! we are quite lucky in that we have 2 friends who bring us organic fruit from their farms.
Roobear - we do and I will be heading there for vegies, I am trying to go completely meat free for myself but the kids and dh still want their meat from the butchers.

Thanks Magenta - I was told by the GP to spray them with vinegar? but will also still wash, great tip! Hmm maybe I will try some different brands of organic milk?

thanks

[Kalota]

DF and I like to eat organically and we find that a lot of "fad" organic foods are so ridiculously pricey just for the label of being "organic." (Like quinoa at the moment, for example...)

We also tend to stray away for supermarkets or brands when we can, and instead go to local farmers markets and buy local organic produce! Sooo much cheaper! However, often this is difficult I understand as I am a very busy lady and often you need to just pop into the supermarket!

Another thing I've learnt to do is to buy in-season and learnt to cook in-season. Foods that are out of season are usually more expensive.

I also buy in bulk, and dry and pickle foods.

And like everyone else has suggested - growing your own if you have the time and resources!

:-)

[froggy1]

I'm all for trying to grow as much as possible to save $$$. We're in the process of converting our front yard to a vegie patch. We planted potatoes over winter and they have conditioned the soil. I've just pulled out about 3 months worth of potatoes and planted tomatoes, cucumber and pumpkin in the (ex) potato patch. Garlic is also a good easy thing to grow and store. Farmers markets are great, but I find them super expensive sometimes. It's hard work trying to afford organic. I'll go with other people's suggestions and say that cutting down on meat consumption helps too.

[jessie123]

Depends on your budget - organic meat is expensive. If you like legumes that will save you money. Eggs are good but around here organic eggs are about $8 a dozen.

With the milk organic milk is the best I buy full cream Paris Farm milk it is so delicious and you get big blobs of cream.