Many people complain about the fact that healthy, organic foods are often more expensive than junk foods. Brown rice costs twice as much as white, whole grain bread is double the cost of white bread. It can be discouraging. But don't lose hope. It is possible to afford more organic foods and make healthier choices on a budget.

Here are a few creative solutions to help you think outside the grocery bag.

Farmer’s Markets
You can usually find a local farmer’s market in the summer time and, if you live in a larger city, you can find them operating year round. You’re going to find the best seasonal deals and you’ll often stumble upon amazing items at prices that are easy on your pocket. If you’re not sure where to look for a farmer’s market, try calling your local chamber of commerce. You can also search at LocalHarvest.org for small local farmers. Ask them if their produce is organic. Many times it is.

You can also find "you pick" farms locally if you search. These often have great prices since you have to do the work! But it can be a lot of fun as well as educational. Bring the kids and make a day of it.

Buy In Bulk
Larger health food stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods offer a nice variety of bulk items. Other health food groceries have bulk bins that allow you to bring your own containers for your grains, sweets, soap, maple syrup, etc. These can offer huge savings, especially on small items like spices and herbs.

It might seem odd to buy a 15 pound bag of rice, but if you eat rice once a week, you'll be able to use that rice up in a few months. (Store whole grains in the freezer.) Bring a calculator and see how much you'll save buying in bulk. Large wholesale stores like Costco and BJ's are also now offering organics.

Grocery Store Sale Papers
You can find deals on organic food you’re willing to visit different stores for sales. Some of the offerings advertised in sale papers are organic. These low priced items are called "loss leaders" because the store often doesn't make a profit on them. They're priced low to get you in the store. Calculate whether it's worth your time and gas to shop at two or more stores rather than the same store each week. It might make sense for you to shop at each store once a month and stock up on what's on sale.

Forego Some Convenience
It's tempting to buy precut fruits and veggies, but they actually arent as good for you as produce that you clean and cut fresh at home, due to the nutrient loss that happens when the items are exposed to air and light. You’ll get more of the nutrients you’re looking for when you’re willing to do more preparation on your own. It doesn't take that much time to cut your own fruits and veggies anyway.

Cook from Scratch More
A homemade soup made from organic ingredients is much healthier than store bought canned soup and is often cheaper. The same is true for many other dishes. Prepared foods usually have more salt and contain preservatives.

Do you have a bread machine gathering dust somewhere? Put it to use and make a couple of loaves a week. Even if you buy organic flour, you'll likely still save money over premade bread from the store. This would be a great task to assign one of your kids.

Know What to Buy Organic
There are certain foods that are more likely to contain pesticide residues. For instance, fatty items like dairy products, butter, and meats. It would be better to buy these items organic and buy conventional produce and wash them thoroughly. Why? Because hormones and pesticide residues will collect in the fatty tissues of animals.

Focus on Veggies
If you eat more whole grains, vegetables and beans and use meat as a topping or seasoning agent, you'll naturally spend much less. Many families find that they can afford to eat mostly organic when they eat little animal protein. Try making vegetarian, bean based dinners at least 3 nights a week.

CSAs and Co-Ops
Do a Google search to find a local community sustained agriculture (CSA) co-op that allows you to trade a little work (or a little money) for fresh organic homegrown goods.

You an join an existing co-op to buy just about anything from boxed organic food, vitamins and personal care items. Or just get together with a friend to pool your resources and buy from companies that offer a wholesale program. Yahoogroups.com is a great place to find people willing to do coops. RealMilk.org is another wonderful site where you can find organic milk at less than grocery store prices.

Grow Your Own
If growing your own garden seems overwhelming, just start with one tomato plant or a small herb garden. Enlist the help of your kids and make it into an educational experience. Or find a neighbor who you can start a small garden with and share the work.

Go Online for Organics
Believe it or not, you can save money by buying organic food online. Some retailers offer free shipping with a small minimum purchase, others offer great prices on bulk items. You can also find coupon codes for some of the retailers. The time and gas savings can also make it very worthwhile. Obviously you can only get canned and packaged food through the mail but that accounts for a lot - canned beans, organic chicken broth, rice, dried pasta, teas, etc.

The underlying theme here is that you can spend a little extra time or spend extra money. The good news is that time spent in the kitchen as a family will do more than just save money and contribute to a healthier lifestyle; it will contribute to better relationships as well.

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