How to Eat Organic Foods on a Budget

Whether it's because of worries about food safety, ecological concerns, or just a desire to eat fresher, less processed foods, more and more food shoppers are buying organic these days. Yet organic foods and beverages can cost as much as 50% to 100% more than conventional foods -- and prices are going up for both organic and conventionally grown items.

Still, rising prices don't have to mean that cost-conscious consumers must give up the advantages of organic food. Here are some tips on how shoppers can stretch their food dollars for organic foods, and information about other food options that may be equally kind to the planet.

What Exactly Are Organic Foods?

Don't confuse terms such as "free-range," "hormone free" or "natural" with organic. While they may be truthful, these terms are not regulated by law. Look for the following regulated terms on food labels:

• "100% organic" is for foods that have no allowable synthetic ingredients and can use the U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic seal.
• "Organic" foods have a minimum of 95% organic ingredients and are also eligible by law to use the USDA organic seal.
• "Made with Organic Ingredients" must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. These foods are not eligible for the USDA seal.
A USDA organic seal indicates that the food was grown, harvested, and processed according to national organic standards that restrict the amounts and residues of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, foods called "organic" cannot be treated with any synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. They may, however, use biological pesticides (those derived from a natural source).

Keep in mind that while years ago, most "organic" foods you found at your neighborhood health food store came from small, local farms, this is now more the exception than the rule. Today, organic foods are big business, sold in chain groceries and often produced by multinational companies and then trucked across the country.

Organic Vegetables and Fruits

Organic foods generally cost more because the lack of pesticides means growing them is more labor-intensive, and the crop yield is not always as good. But, experts say a good place to spend your organic dollars is on fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables are conventionally treated with pesticides and fertilizers to enhance growth and prevent infestation, and are likely to contain pesticide residues.

"It really is a personal choice, but how can anyone think substances such as pesticides, capable of killing insects, can be good for you?" asks Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, a food studies and public health professor at New York University. "If you can afford them, buy them. Given the choice, go organic, and if you can't afford them, try to buy [at least] the ones on the 'dirty dozen' list."

The "dirty dozen" refers to 12 fruits and vegetables that the nonprofit Environmental Working Group says are among the most susceptible to pesticide residue, and thus most profitable to buy organic. They are:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

The Environmental Working Group also has a list of 12 fruits and veggies likely to have the fewest pesticide residues, which may not be worth the added cost of buying organic. They are:

• Papaya
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Bananas
• Kiwi
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Asparagus
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Sweet corn (frozen)
• Avocado
• Onions