Are you one of the many people who want to eat ethically and healthfully, but are not sure how to do so? If you have budgetary restrictions, that makes this task even more difficult. If you could buy grass-fed beef wholesale, that would probably be helpful, but you may not know how or where to come across these kinds of deals.
On the surface, it does not make sense that food would cost more because it is less processed and closer to its natural state, or, in the case of meat, that it costs less if the animals are pumped full of hormones. However, when food is mass-produced, even if it is over-processed and full of chemicals, it costs the company less, and therefore they can charge less for it. Organic farmers tend to have very small businesses, and therefore they have to charge more.
The reason that smaller businesses and individual farmers have to charge more is that they have to make a profit that exceeds their production costs. Because this reason is logical and valid, people without financial restrictions are often willing to pay the extra money. The reason that their health and peace of mind are worth the higher cost.
For people with a limited income, however, this may not be possible. When you have to feed a family, or even an individual, on a small budget, you cannot afford to make concessions in the cost department. This does not mean that you can't ever choose healthier options, though. Here are a few suggestions that might help.
One thing you can do is to choose particular items that you will only buy natural or organic. Even if you can't do that with everything, you can be picky with certain things. Meat is always a good idea, because of the hormones and antibiotics that are found in the conventional varieties, as well as the ethical issues surrounding mistreated animals. In terms of fruits and vegetables, it is safe to eat the conventional varieties of some, but not of all of them.
There is a list called "The Dirty Dozen Plus" that can help you with this. The name refers to certain fruits and veggies that are more likely to contain dangerous pesticides if they are not organically grown. These include spinach, bell peppers, nectarines, apples, celery, grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes and strawberries. These should be bought organic if possible.
Some veggies and fruits, however, are less likely to be dangerous, and are therefore safer to buy in their conventionally grown varieties. These "Clean 15" are papayas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, sweet peas, mangoes, kiwi, avocado, pineapples, asparagus, sweet corn, onions, and cabbage.
Following these lists is one way that you may be able to afford some organic foods. Another possibility is to shop at wholesale markets or co-ops, or order wholesale foods online. It is worth checking into this to see if it will save you money. Also, if you receive food stamps, you may be able to cash them in for double value coins at a farmers' market. This is definitely true in Michigan, and may be true in other states as well. Explore your options, and do the best you can!
On the surface, it does not make sense that food would cost more because it is less processed and closer to its natural state, or, in the case of meat, that it costs less if the animals are pumped full of hormones. However, when food is mass-produced, even if it is over-processed and full of chemicals, it costs the company less, and therefore they can charge less for it. Organic farmers tend to have very small businesses, and therefore they have to charge more.
The reason that smaller businesses and individual farmers have to charge more is that they have to make a profit that exceeds their production costs. Because this reason is logical and valid, people without financial restrictions are often willing to pay the extra money. The reason that their health and peace of mind are worth the higher cost.
For people with a limited income, however, this may not be possible. When you have to feed a family, or even an individual, on a small budget, you cannot afford to make concessions in the cost department. This does not mean that you can't ever choose healthier options, though. Here are a few suggestions that might help.
One thing you can do is to choose particular items that you will only buy natural or organic. Even if you can't do that with everything, you can be picky with certain things. Meat is always a good idea, because of the hormones and antibiotics that are found in the conventional varieties, as well as the ethical issues surrounding mistreated animals. In terms of fruits and vegetables, it is safe to eat the conventional varieties of some, but not of all of them.
There is a list called "The Dirty Dozen Plus" that can help you with this. The name refers to certain fruits and veggies that are more likely to contain dangerous pesticides if they are not organically grown. These include spinach, bell peppers, nectarines, apples, celery, grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, potatoes and strawberries. These should be bought organic if possible.
Some veggies and fruits, however, are less likely to be dangerous, and are therefore safer to buy in their conventionally grown varieties. These "Clean 15" are papayas, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, sweet peas, mangoes, kiwi, avocado, pineapples, asparagus, sweet corn, onions, and cabbage.
Following these lists is one way that you may be able to afford some organic foods. Another possibility is to shop at wholesale markets or co-ops, or order wholesale foods online. It is worth checking into this to see if it will save you money. Also, if you receive food stamps, you may be able to cash them in for double value coins at a farmers' market. This is definitely true in Michigan, and may be true in other states as well. Explore your options, and do the best you can!
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