Tips for eating locally on a budget.

by Jennifer Maiser, Editor

Serious Eats, this week, posted a great article about how to eat locally and sustainably on a budget.  While we know from last year's Pennywise challenge that eating locally on a budget is possible, it's also easy to watch the food bills pile up when you're concerned with finding sustainable products for your family's dinner table.

Among the suggestions in the SE article, I especially like the suggestions to cut back on meat consumption, and to buy in season.  In season eating offers the best value for local produce, and if you put up or preserve foods while they are in season you can have a version of them throughout the year.  In addition to the Serious Eats advice, I would also suggest the following:

1) Subscribe to a CSA.  CSA boxes from local farms typically offer a good value for in-season, fresh produce.

2) Get to know your farmers.  You're more likely to find out about good deals on your food, and to learn what foods offer the best value that week.  Just start by saying hi, asking them about their week, and asking them about the produce.  Soon, many will be keeping an eye out for special deals for you.

3) Be smart about your meat purchases.  Consider a cow share or meat CSA if it's available in your area (or start your own!).  Choose whole chickens over boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  Learn to work with odd meat cuts so that you can maximize your dollar when possible.

Jennifer Maiser is the editor of the Eat Local Challenge website.  She is often found behind a camera or writing for her site, Life Begins at 30.

Comments

[anita]

I wrote a (very) little blurb about this, too, on The Daily Green, with 3 more tips:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/organic-sustainable-food/sole-food-digest-week-2-44052108

[Becks]

The main way I save money on local, organic food is by growing it. We're going to get some chickens in a couple weeks so we'll have a steady supply of eggs in addition to the surprising amount of produce we've grown this year.

[Weeping Sore]

I would also recommend going regularly to a few local Farmer's Markets. Even if you don't buy, you learn what's in season and how prices compare favorably to local grocery stores.

[Tiffany]

I have been thinking about this a lot. Since I live outside of DC our farmer's markets tend to be on the expensive side and I often wonder whether I am saving any money shopping at them. Your tip about talking to the farmers is excellent. This week I spent some time talking to one and after about 5 minutes of conversation she revealed to me that their steaks were on sale. If I hadn't talked to her, I would have just bought my pork chops and moved along. I also find that talking to them can keep me aware of what will be available at upcoming markets and how long each season will last.
Great post!