My college roommates used to tease me about my weekly organic milk indulgences, partly because I consumed milk like a young calf. But also because it cost more — roughly $2 extra per half gallon compared with conventional milk; I actually looked it up once.
*Cue all Savinly Readers cringing.*
Still, that was my pick and what made me feel good drinking.
10 Ways to Cut Costs on Organic Groceries
If you’re in the same situation (or pushing the same cart) and prefer organic items, know it doesn’t have to break the bank.
You might not find stacks of coupons for those beloved items in the Sunday circular, but there are plenty of tools and tactics you can use to keep costs down.
Here are some of our top picks.
1. Scan Your Receipt and Cash In with Rewards (Yes, Even for Organic Brands)
Fetch Rewardsis an app that offers a variety of gift cards for popular retailers — like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more.
I’ve always liked it because you get perks just for buying everyday essentials like toilet paper and other items you were already planning to purchase.
It’s also very simple to search for organic brands that qualify for rewards.
How it works: After installing the app, snap a photo of your receipt showing a purchase from one of the brands listed in Fetch. In return, you’ll earn points redeemable for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Target or Walmart.
You can download the free Fetch Rewards app here to begin earning free gift cards. Over 13 million people already have, so clearly it’s doing something right…
2. Have Organic Products Delivered to Your Home
Ordering groceries online and getting them delivered to your doorstep eliminates a lot of hassle. (Plus, you’ll avoid awkward hallway run-ins with that high school classmate.)
If you haven’t discovered your go-to online grocery service yet, check outThrive Market, which focuses on organic products, including gluten-free, paleo, raw and vegan options. Categories span food, pet supplies and wellness.
I spotted many items I already buy at the store.
For instance, I adore Lundberg Farms Organic Brown Rice Cakes — lightly salted, naturally. But a pack can run about $5, so I only buy them occasionally. On Thrive, they’re 33% off at $2.85.
I also toss chia seeds into my morning smoothies, but those are incredibly pricey. If I buy the Thrive brand, I save 50%, bringing the cost down to $7.95.
When you sign up for Thrive Market or install its app now, you’ll receive 20% off your first three orders.
Brb. Time to stock up.
3. Try a Meal Kit Delivery Service
If you want to get creative with dinners without triggering #PinterestFails, consider subscribing to a meal box.
For instance, HelloFresh delivers a box of fresh ingredients along with detailed cooking directions.
Note: Not all HelloFresh ingredients are organic, but some are and none are artificial.
The subscription is adjustable, so if you’ll be away for a week, that’s okay. Choose three, four or five meals per week.
For two people and three meals, it costs about $60.
(Pro tip: Get $35 off your first order here.)
The ingredients may not all be organic, but they’re fresh and sourced from sustainable farms.
If you want to compare other well-known meal boxes, we’ve got options for that too.
4. Download This “Berry” Handy App
BerryCart is a cashback app I recently found — and one I’ll probably start using regularly.
It’s great for organic shoppers because it compiles top deals on organic, gluten-free and non-GMO products, so you know you’re getting genuinely organic items.
It operates similarly to Fetch Rewards: download the free app, locate the deals you want, buy the products, then photograph your receipt.
No need to choose a particular store; simply take a photo of your receipt no matter where you shopped.
Here are some current cashback examples: 75 cents back on Hope organic hummus, $2 back on NutZo organic nut and seed butter and $1 back on organic sparkling water.
The app seems like a convenient way to get money back while discovering new organic brands.
Beyond apps and websites, there are several other tactics to use when shopping organic. Here are a few more…
5. Pay Attention to Seasons
Whether you’re buying produce or meat, you’ll notice prices dip when items are in season.
Take Heidi Medina’s suggestion. Her household sticks to a budget, but she chooses to buy organic meat. Like produce, meats have peak seasons, which can vary by region.
For example, beef season usually arrives after the first cold snap in autumn. You’ll likely find better prices then. Pork season tends to come later in the fall, after pigs have had access to late-season fruits and nuts.
If you want to read all of Medina’s tips, we’ve got them here.
6. Learn to Identify Your Store’s Organic Private Label
We all know store generics can save cash, but many chains also offer a line of organic store-brand items.
Here are some examples:
- Aldi: Simply Nature
- Kroger: Simple Truth
- Publix: Greenwise
- Safeway: Organics
- Target: Simply Balanced
- Whole Foods: 365 Everyday Value
Locate your go-to store’s organic private label before your next shopping trip.
7. Explore Local CSA Programs
Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs connect buyers directly with growers.
For instance, a local beet farmer (Dwight Schrute, probably) might offer “shares” of produce to people nearby. These shares often arrive as a bag or box of beets. Members pay a fee and receive seasonal distributions.
CSAs benefit farmers, who get early-season funds, and consumers, who receive local, ultra-fresh produce at a lower cost.
For example, Savinly Reader Kristen Pope joined her local CSA by purchasing a “quarter share.” For $9.53 per week, she received a box of fresh organic produce.
Find CSA options near you at Local Harvest.
8. Don’t Hesitate to Buy in Bulk
Before you start filling containers with organic nuts, grains and beans, check the unit prices.
But more often than not, you’ll save money by purchasing in bulk.
Some markets even offer self-serve organic flours, honey and coffee beans.
Another advantage of bulk shopping is you control the quantity you buy, which is convenient. If you end up with extras, you can always freeze them!
9. Go DIY: Cultivate Your Own Organic Produce
Part of why I opt for organic is knowing pesticides and other unpleasant chemicals weren’t used in growing my food.
You can relieve that worry by getting your hands dirty and growing some of your own produce.
If you’re skeptical about how that will work, here’s a beginner’s guide. Read that.
You’ll also want to confirm that what you’re planting makes financial sense, so here’s a list of vegetables that are cheaper to grow than to buy.
10. Know Which Items Are Worth Buying Organic
If you’re fully committed to organic across the board, that’s fine: Do what works for you.
But if you automatically buy organic for everything because you assume it’s better, it might help to do a bit of research.
Start here: Learn what organic actually signifies.
That will help you decide what’s worth the premium and what isn’t.
Bonus: Take a Trip to HomeGoods
You might think I’m odd — why would you need organic furniture or decor?
But HomeGoods stocks a surprising number of organic pantry items — often in the kitchen section.
Find everything from discounted chia seeds and organic coconut oil to organic baking mixes.
I’ve discovered many treasures there. It’s hit or miss, but worth scanning the aisles on your next visit.
If you decide organic is the route for you, now you know how to do it without overspending!
Carson Miles (@CarsonMiles) is a junior writer at Savinly. She’ll always splurge on her organic skim milk. So worth it.
