Eating organic with a family of 5

[Renlor]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading several different books that go on about the importance of eating clean/nude...choosing to eat things in their most natural form where possible.  Up until now I have had the attitude that eating organic isn't that much of a big deal, with a lot of it being hoo-ha.  But, it's finally starting to sink in about how much toxins our bodies absorb....so I'm trying to make changes so that my children can also eat healthier/cleaner.  Trying to find foods that the kids will actually eat is also a mission. 

I normally shop at Coles...their range of organic produce leaves a lot to be desired...and everything else that has the words "organic" on them are so damn expensive.  I googled a local organic produce/meat supplier and found that their prices were even more ridiculous. 

Do any of you have tips on how I can go about making these changes whilst also being realistic about the prices of groceries??  I am spending in the neighbourhood of $400/week as it is!

Thanks in advance.... Renae 

[judydawn]

Wow, you certainly need some help Renlor - that's such an expensive shop each week 
Sorry, can't help you with the organic stuff as I don't buy it myself but those that do will come to your aid I'm sure.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I hear what you're saying Renae.  I like to use organic ingredients where possible but I have accepted that I can't buy everything organic.  I set my budget and just buy what I can. I do my grocery shop once a month (using Coles online) and buy everything I can in bulk. I like buying online as I have more control over the total.  I buy milk and fruit and veg weekly and some smaller organic items from my local health food store.  I do a big bulk order from Biodistributors once every 3 months (flour, rapadura, grain etc).  I am not in a co-op but I know they can also help with costs.

[Deeau]

Ohhh something I can finally answer  Well maybe add my point of view anyway ...there are 4 of us we are not totally organic but I do the best I can.....  Not sure what country you are posting from  but I find alot of the Aldi  organic products  great, they also have a practice of sourcing the products with the least amount of additives as possible.....  google some list to find out what additives are bad....some are OK so avoiding every additive  is not always necessary. I know at first when I changed what we eat ( and why I bought a Thermomix )  I drove my kids nuts refusing to let them eat anything with any  number on it.
As for fruit and veg this list was helpful
Dirty -  buy organic
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Bell Peppers
Spinach
Cherries
Kale/Collard
Greens
Potatoes
Grapes (Imported)


Clean - maybe not organic
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mangos
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet Potato
Honeydew
Melon

I also try and only buy Australian fruit and veg and avoid at all cost from countries that I am suspect in their practices ie: no Chinese garlic etc Remember if you can't get organic then local seasonal is  the next best, I also have a small local organic supplier that specialises in  weekly fruit and veg boxes, (  no website - they have only just recently got a big enough clientel to open a store a few days a week )  maybe you could ask at your local health food store if they know of anything.
I still have a bit of a problem with sourcing reasonable organic meat..... I am yet to find a happy medium there.

Look back on the posts as well as I know some of the girls here purchase flours etc from online sources, I don't tend to eat alot of grains so flour etc is only used in minimal amounts, not a big issue for us. My total shopping bill each week averages out just under $250 for 2 adults and 2 large teenage boys  ( no takeay -  one dog ) so I am happy with that, almost half o f that is fruit and veg ... I think you just need to find a level of  clean food that fits your budget, ie: I don't buy organic pineapples  we mainly just juice them  organic ones are about $9 - $10 non organic are about $5 - $6 ( cause you cut the thick skin off ) Hope this helps in some way
Deeau

[djinni373]

Goodness Renlor that is expensive. You haven't said where you live or how old your children are. We are a family of 5 (including 3 teens) in Sydney and we eat mostly organic for less that. Be happy to share suppliers etc if you are in Sydney too

Probably stating the obvious, but I have saved heaps using the TMX and the many great recipes and ideas on this forum. I make nearly all of our meals, sauces, desserts, breads, biscuits, cakes etc. Wish I could do links for you but I am new to this forum and still finding my way

[Ceejay]

Be on the lookout for organic co ops in your area.  If you can't find one, perhaps think of starting your own.  It cuts costs dramatically and often I find I'm buying organic foods for less than conventional prices.
http://www.foe.org.au/campaigns/sustainable-food/links/food-co-ops-in-australia/?searchterm=timor
I feed 5 of us for under $150 a week with around 90% organic... we are vegetarian though. 

[Renlor]

Thank you so much for all your replies.....I have found (via Quirky Jo's facebook link) a company called growers own that supplies local, fresh produce to my area.

I live in Mackay NQ and have three kids ages 11,9 and 5.  I know if I got my finger out and made more of an effort to meal plan then my grocery bill would be a whole lot cheaper.  I so wish we had access to an Aldi here!!

Just for an idea on what it just cost me for vegies at Coles this last shop....

1 bunch radish   $3.99
Granny smith apples & navel oranges  $4.98/kg
Organic sweet corn (2 pces)  $5.99
Organic broccoli  500g  $7.99
Asian pak choy 1 bunch  $2.45
baby cos lettuce (pk 2)  $3.45
Mushies  $10.98/kg
Bananas $12.98/kg  (that's expected due to the horrible devastation with cyclone season)
6 pk of tomatoes  $3.98
Green zucchini  $4.98/kg
Organic potatoes 2kg  $6.98
Organic carrots 1kg  $4.98
Onions  $3.98/kg
Kent pumpkin  $3.48/kg

Free range chicken thighs 680g  $9.88

I have also stopped buying Homebrand milk purely out of support for the Aussie farmers....otherwise it won't be long and we'll be drinking UHT milk from overseas

I think I need to start shopping a bit smarter and plan a WHOLE LOT more!

[Cuilidh]

I'm not sure whether you have farmers markets up in your town or local area, but certainly here in Melbourne the main farmers markets are mostly organic and very competitively priced.

[ellie j]

Hi Renlor,
I also have 5 to feed .. 3 boys 12,11 and 6 .. I have recently started doing menu plans for a week or fortnight in advance.. It is really saving us and so I can afford to buy organic where possible. Buying in bulk also helps .. I also find that making everything from scratch not only saves money but you can make every meal nutrient dense which keeps them full longer and keeps them healthy so very rare doctors visits .. Good luck 

[Ceejay]

Coles and Woolworths are some of the most expensive places to shop for organic produce! 

Check out local businesses. http://www.organicfoodmackay.com/
or joining a community garden to help grow your own?
http://www.organicfooddirectory.com.au/Qld/mackay/mackay-city-zzt-islands/streeter-av-community-garden.html 

[Zan]

I menu plan, limit the meat content of meals, buy fruit and veg from grocers and market stall. Pretty much only buy what is in season and/or on special. No bananas here at the moment. (if it's over $10 a kilo for anything it's usually a no, lol) Buy meat in bulk, vacuum pack and freeze.
Have used coops/suppliers for grains etc, but at the moment I'm very time poor and not making bread so not so much.
Grow some and have chickens for eggs.

[~Trish~]

Hi Renlor, I too live in Mackay but wanted to ask, Have you gone to the morning markets on a Saturday? They sell locally grown bananas at $4 a kilo. I've been getting ours there.

Meal planning really really does help, We used to spend heaps grocery shopping and now shopping for the 5 of us we spend between $300-$400 a fortnight and that is for as much organic as possible. There is an organic shop just near the Leap which I buy some of our organic produce from and there is also another organic shop in Glenella that sells a lot of your dry goods. I can get links if you like

[Renlor]

Hi Trish....I have only been to the local markets a couple of times ages ago, and found that it was just as cheap for me to go to the local grocer...but that is a HUGE price difference!  I will have to get off my butt and go suss it out.  I have the Leap link, but don't have the Glenella one...would be much appreciated if you could forward it on to me

I have registered with a company called growersown...I am yet to buy anything (have been away on hols)...but they supply local produce aswell and are located in River st.  (but not sure if they have a shop front or are just via the net)

Cheers.....Renae (menu planning here I come!!!)

[quirkycooking]

Oh, you guys all had such great answers I don't have anything to add!! Hope it goes well for you Renae!!