One of the things our CSA members love most about our CSA is they’re able to fill their refrigerators with fresh, certified organic produce grown on our local farm at a great price. Here’s some other ideas for eating organic and staying within your budget. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!
Join our CSA! Our CSA shares break down to just $25 per week for the basic, and $30 per week for the premium. That’s for a box packed with a variety of fresh, certified organic produce! Pay in full and receive an additional 2% discount. CSA members also receive 20% off retail prices at our farmers’ market stands.
Buy in bulk. Visit the bulk section of your local natural grocer and fill your own bags or re-usable containers with rice, dry beans, grains, and other sundries at a lower price. Many bulk sections carry additional items like olive oil, vinegars, nut butters, and more. Try Greenstar in Ithaca for an amazing bulk selection! You’ll cut down on packaging, too! The CSA Member Farmer’s market discount comes in handy for stocking up too!
Cook from scratch. A little planning goes a long way! Get even more out of your CSA Share by making your own homemade chicken or vegetable stock, salad dressing, and other kitchen staples from scratch. If you’re adventurous get bulk baking ingredients and try your hand at bread and other baked goods.
Make a meal plan. Or use the one that comes with your CSA! Have a plan when you go to the grocery store and stick to it.
Reduce meat consumption. Adding more plant-based meals to your diet is better for you and the planet! Cut meat down to a few times a week, use bacon or sausage in smaller amounts for added flavor, and try using whole chickens which are much cheaper pound. Cheaper cuts of meat like (shanks, short rib, and stew meat) taste great after a day in the slow cooker or several hours at a slow simmer.
Shop sales. Stock up on extra bags of organic whole wheat pasta, whole grains, and other dry goods when they’re on sale. Paired with the produce in your CSA share you can make a quick satisfying meal on the fly.
Set a budget. And stick to it. If you’re running low before grocery day, get creative with what you already have on hand. Try breakfast for dinner, or a quick veggie sauté over toast.
Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to sub ingredients. Garlic and onion minced together make a great sub for shallots, diced celeriac is a perfect sub for celery. An easy way to use any root in your CSA share is to swap it for potaotes in a recipe or use half potatoes and half turnip, rutabaga, etc.
