10 Ways to Save Green by Eating Green

In the past few years, Americans have become increasingly more mindful about their food choices, as evidenced by the exploding popularity of organic and natural foods. Unfortunately soaring food prices now threaten to nip this collective movement in the hormone-free bud. But at Sprig, we believe that a pesticide-free salad shouldn't be a luxury for people who are savvy with their resources (and the Earth's). So, we compiled 10 tips that will help you save some beans while eating green.

1. Bargain Hunt and/or Gather

Buy non-perishables in bulk when you find a deal. Prices often vary between health food stores, supermarkets, and online distributors (Amazon.com and My Natural Beef deliver nationally; Fresh Direct in New York City, and Pioneer Organics in the Pacific Northwest). If you want to try new products, many green companies offer coupons or free giveaways on their Web sites.

2. Drip, Sip and Save

Wake up and smell the coffee brewing in your own kitchen or office. At less than $10 a pop, two bags of shade-grown, organic or fair trade coffee could be $40 (and 30 paper cups) cheaper each month than your daily commutes to the café. But don't believe the buzzwords, check if your caffeine fix is certified here. 

3. Produce a Strategy

All conventional produce is not created equal—with equal amounts of pesticide, that is. While you should always spring for spinach, strawberries, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, potatoes, cherries, red raspberries and imported grapes, there are others you can skimp on, organically speaking. This group includes bananas, kiwi, onions, papaya, sweet peas, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, pineapples and avocados. Their thick skins or growing practices leave these crops with relatively fewer pesticide residues.

4. The Time is Ripe

Wait until vegetables and fruits are in season—and then wait a week more. At this point, the market will be flooded with timely treats and prices tend to drop. NRDC's regional guide tells you what's fresh on the farm. Frequenting farmers markets later in the day may also better your chance for a deal as local growers look to pack away the day's extras.