In a perfect world, we would all feed our babies all natural, organic fruits and vegetables that were free of pesticides and harmful agents and full of the goodness that will keep them growing strong and healthy. But for many parents, the price difference is limiting.
At Walmart, a 12-pack of Earth's Best Baby Food goes for $19.08 while a 12-pack of Beech Nut might go for more like $12. For many, this price difference is simply too much to handle. And with making one's own baby food, it can be the same.
Simply put: many people believe organic is out of their price range. But it doesn't have to be. Here are eight ways to make organic baby food more affordable:
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- Eat out less: I know for us, balancing our bank accounts in order to buy all organic meant cuts elsewhere. We looked at our Starbucks coffees and our lunches/brunches out and our three nights a week of take-out, and we quickly realized there was a lot more room in our food budget that we thought.
- Buy what you can buy: Certain foods absorb more pesticides than others, so if you can't afford to be all organic, maybe you can afford to be 65 percent organic or only 50 percent, but some is better than none.
- Make your own baby food: Most of these tips are for people who plan to make their own baby food, but it bears repeating. It isn't expensive and will save enough money on baby food that you CAN afford to buy organic.
Shop on sale: It's fine to have a clear idea of what you want, but if you can be flexible, you can find bargains.
- Shop farmers' markets: Same concept applies here.
- Shop seasonally: Veggies and fruits are much cheaper in season, even organic ones!
- Join an organic CSA: One of the best ways to get good organic produce (or even meat) is to join a farm share (Community Supported Agriculture). It's typically a bit cheaper than grocery stores and supports local farmers. Big win all around!
- Start a garden: If you have outdoor space, why not grow your own organic foods? As your baby grows, she can get it on the fun and learn about gardening herself.
Do you do all organic? If so, how?
Image via Skycladd/Flickr
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Comments 7
I make my own baby food, and it IS cheaper than buying even the non organic stuff. Sure, some things are more expensive, but it all evens out. For example, organic bananas at my Kroger are .64/lb. Regular are .59/lb. I bought five pounds of bananas for around $3 and it made enough baby food to fill 40 jars. Organic carrots are .99/lb, the same as regular, and 5lbs of carrots makes about 50 jars of baby food. Things like apples can be more expensive, but I dare you to fine 90 jars of baby food for $8. So the higher cost of foods like apples and blueberries is balanced out by bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes(my LO loves the red garnet and the japanese varieties, at .97/lb-enough for 10-15jars).
You basically steam or cook in the oven, then use a blender and blend until smooth, using water as needed. I spend one afternoon per month making baby food and she won't touch the jarred stuff at all. Not even the super expensive organic stuff in the pouches. I make an entire months worth for about $20, give or take, depending on the varieties.
I dont think we could afford organic any other way either, it's just so much cheaper to make it yourself. If you dont have a blender GET ONE because it will save you so much money in the long run.
We try to go organic as much as possible. We don't have any co-ops around here though.