Organic and healthier food for new year

Brianrr

Last year I gave up drinking (£100's saved there then):beer:

2007 I aim to eat healthier all around

Any money saving tips to buying fresh food and organic foods? I am in the Merseyside area if anyone knows of farmers markets or farm fresh produce

Thanks in advance

Brian

Lula99

Hi Brian,

I'm in Warrington and I use Northern Harvest - they deliver to the door and probably cover your area too. Not always the cheapest but excellent quality, the set boxes are good value. As for farmers markets etc, try the Big Barn website for details of your nearest ones. You can also get organic bargains in supermarkets if you shop wisely - it's often in the marked down rack (otherwise known as crap corner) as the prices are too high in the first place. Hope this helps.

Lula

Brianrr

Thank you Lula for those links and ideas I iwll be sure to check them out
best Regards Brian

Nile

Hello Brianrr

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

You'll find lots of menu threads and helpful members in the 'Old Style' board, so I'll move your thread across for you.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

Mrs_Froogle

one of the things I do to make the best of our food is to have one day a week (sometimes two) when I have a vegetarian meal even though dh and I are both definite meat eaters. That way, you offset the cost of organic meat a bit and eat a bit more healthily

Brianrr

Another great idea too we could all do with eating less red meat in our diets thanks! Brian

bluenose1

I only eat organic meat / chicken etc.
I used to buy organic chicken breast/ thighs etc from Tesco but quickly realised it was much more cost effective to buy a whole organic chicken. Although I pay approx £8.00 for a chicken I get at least two meals off it for a family of 5.

Butternut

Hi there
I'm a new poster, but have been reading posts about organic and organic veg boxes.
I am on a strict budget, but have found that by cutting out processed foods and cakes etc and meal planning i considerably reduced my shopping bill. This enables me to have a veg box fortnightly and to buy organic milk, cheese and bread too. I've got the "thrifty" book and so will be saving even more money soon, which should help go towards funding a partially organic (but cheaper) lifestyle. I can't stretch to organic meat, so buy free range, or from local farm shop.
My plan is :
Fortnightly organic veg box
Fortnighly Tesco shop for staples (£3.99 for home delivery, but saves me being tempted by things i don't want)
Top ups from farm shop
Top ups of bicarb, vinegar, soda crystals etc etc

I've also spent last two nights trying to persuade hubby to get us a compost bin (£4) so i can start home composting.
Also planning on growing own herbs in summer, and poss strawberries, as daughter practically lives off them in summer and they are so expensive.

Anyway, now im registered, i can start posting too.
Sorted !

Brianrr

Thanks to Bluenose and Butternut for some good ideas there.
I think organization is the key to eating well. Shop and think well in advance of menus to save those "there's nothing in the fridge" syndrome that leads then leads you to the local 7 11 shop or worse the take away
I loved Hugh Fearnley–Whittingstall and the wonderful River Cottage so inspirational showing us just what Butternose has said about organic chickens and how you can use nearly every part of it!
Feeling inspired I'm off to look at a few web sites Hugh's is very good too
http://www.rivercottage.net/
Kind regards to you all
Brian

earthmother

It will vary by area, but for some items, the supermarkets are still the best option.

Tesco's is about the best - their organic milk is well-priced (6 pint bottles equate to 32p per pint) - and they do a good range of juices, cereals etc (also the best place for organic lemonade if you still want some fizz on occassion).

Sainsburys is slightly better on the fruit and veg both in terms of price and quality (box schemes don't work for us as there's always something wasted).

Waitrose/Ocado is best for toiletries and household goods.


Our local independant suppliers are very nice, but definitely are not for regular use on a budget.

Nile

Hello Butternut

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave: