tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694156048670349907.post3388380682746183819..comments2023-07-05T08:34:31.068-04:00Comments on Survival Cooking, Prepping and Living: Can You Afford Organic and Local Produce?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694156048670349907.post-88431834939032047552009-04-10T18:22:00.000-04:002009-04-10T18:22:00.000-04:00$80/month for one - local but not necessarily cert...$80/month for one - local but not necessarily certified organic, altho organically raised. Local would include my small garden. I also still have 8 spaghetti squash and 1 butternut sitting on my countertop, lots of dried veggies and fruits, and lots of frozen veggies/tomatoes/etc.<BR/><BR/>My meat is mostly self-harvested - clams, fish, deer, elk. Just canned my first clams this year to cut down on the freezer being so full of meat.marci357https://www.blogger.com/profile/08464308058830198491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694156048670349907.post-45501617183683948532009-04-08T18:57:00.000-04:002009-04-08T18:57:00.000-04:00You are right, Sam. I should have emphasized ... b...You are right, Sam. I should have emphasized ... buy local and organic whenever you can, and when you can afford it, and yes, there are ways to get around the affordability issue. But... these days, not many people have that luxury. Literally! Thanks for writing. VikkiThrtnWmsFamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694156048670349907.post-15398544325998749072009-04-08T10:56:00.000-04:002009-04-08T10:56:00.000-04:00Howdy,While I'll agree organic can be more expensi...Howdy,<BR/><BR/>While I'll agree organic can be more expensive, if you stick to simply meat, veggies, fruits, beans and legumes, seeds, nuts etc and cut out pre-packaged foods you can keep the costs down. There are co-ops who purchase from UNFI - United Foods Inc - local buying clubs, buying items in bulk/case which keep the cost down. <BR/><BR/>Check out localharvest.org. You can find local producers, co-ops and farmers markets - build relationship with local farmers....perhaps you can work out an opportunity to help them at the farm for reduced cost items....like beef, chicken, pork, etc. <BR/><BR/>While we have our own garden we cannot produce enough on our property for our own needs (and some varieties simply won't grow here). Therefore, we participate in a local CSA - community supported agriculture, buying a working share which saves us $150 a year. For $350 we get at least one bushel of fresh, locally-grown, organic veggies for 16 - 18 weeks depending on the growing season. <BR/><BR/>AND - if you can't afford organic - get locally produced!!! This is still MUCH better than food being shipped across the country. Go to the farmers market, perhaps you have something you can barter with them. Buy all their such and such at a reduced price and split it with others. For items we need in larger quantities we can't grow or get at our CSA, we attend farmers market late in the day and get great deals on items to can, freeze, dry, etc. <BR/><BR/>WHEN you find organic on sale - load up. Certain veggies keep for longer periods of time...as you've learned storing your own home-grown items. <BR/><BR/>You are wise to head out on Tuesday for the "orange-sticker" items. We've learned this trick too! Another tip, ask if they have a glut of any product in the back - perhaps they'll offer a case price or reduced price to move it out!<BR/><BR/>AND....I can say this. We started eating organic, locally-grown OR organic products when hubby started having serious medical issues with his digestive tract. He was once again able to eat foods which he had previously had to stop...AND the symptoms are nearly non-existent. HE is on NO medications and feeling stronger than ever. We do spend more $$ than we use to on groceries - however, for us the trade off (savings from doctor and medication bills, eating out, etc)...wash out.<BR/><BR/>AND there is the importance of keeping LOCAL producers in business. There is very little of our family's food dollar which DOES NOT stay in our home state. We buy very little food which isn't produced locally......we are NOT interested in financing large corporations (mainly MONSATAN) . We have made friends with many local farmers and producers and learned a great deal from them. Knowing we are helping keep another family farming and growing is as important to us as getting the best quality food out food $$ will buy! AND every time we go "to the farms" it is a little mental health break for us - so much less traffic, noise, pollution etc. Keeps the batteries fully charged and ready to go! :) :)<BR/><BR/>Summary - grow your own, buy organic, buy local.......! God bless.<BR/><BR/>SamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com