SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Sales of organic foods are booming, to the tune of more than 17 billion dollars in 2006. But organic foods can be much more expensive for consumers -- anywhere from ten to fifty percent more than conventional foods.
Organics have gone mainstream, even showing up in old-time brands like Prego pasta sauce and Kraft mac and cheese. But they are more expensive. "The way to save money on organics is to prioritize your spending and buy the organics that really matter," says Lisa Freeman of ShopSmart Magazine, which is put out by Consumer Reports. She says -- since packaged foods are processed -- even if they're organic, it's better to focus your organic spending on fresh foods like meat, milk and produce.
Shopsmart says invest in organic peaches, apples, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears and imported grapes. Key veggies to buy organic: lettuce, spinach, celery, potatoes and sweet bell peppers.
Be aware that misting in the grocery store can spread pesticide residue from conventional produce onto organic produce. So look for displays where the organics are displayed separately. “The conventionally-grown produce could contaminate the organic produce, kind of making it a waste of money," Freeman said.
ShopSmart says certain labels aren't worth the money either. For example, the terms "cage free" and "free roaming" on eggs aren't tightly regulated. And if a product is described as "natural," that's only as reliable as the company making the claim. Instead, look for the labels "USDA Organic, 'Certified Organic" and "100-percent Organic." Those are claims regulated by the Department of Agriculture and held to a high standard. "You're just better off buying the organic label because the other ones don't have the government backing them up," Freeman said.
Some of the most well-known organic brands like Earthbound Farms, Health Valley, Stonyfield Farm and Annie's Homegrown offer coupons right on their websites. And the savings can be substantial.
On the flip side, you can save by going generic. Many grocers now offer their own store brand organics. For example, Costco says its Kirkland Signature Organics will save you twenty percent compared to leading national brands. At Costco, we also found a wide variety of name-brand organics sold in bulk. Just make sure you don't buy more than you can actually use. After all, spoiled food can spoil your savings.
Here's one loose rule of thumb from ShopSmart magazine: if a fruit or vegetable comes with a protective peel, like a banana or an orange, buying organic is less important.
