Eating well on a budget

by A.W.
(Miami)

Q I'm a graduate student who wants to try many of the recommendations on this site. Any tips for how to make this work with my budget?

A Shopping at the farmers market is a great way to save money. If you get to know your farmers and are a steady customer they’ll reward you with lower prices. If you get there near the end of the market farmers have lowered prices just so they don’t have to take food back with them.

Buying in bulk at the farmers market or your local grocery store will save money as well. Most grocery stores give 10% discount on a case. You can split a case of whatever you by with one or two friends and you all save.

Even if you only have a small deck you can grow foods like lettuce and tomatoes in containers or grow sprouts in your kitchen.

You pick farms or neighborhood vegetable gardens equate to big savings too.

Purchasing the foods that are in season and abundant will treat you pocket book kindly as well. Some raw food groups have food co-ops to buy in bulk and save money. Try making a connection with your local vegetarian or raw foods group for more local ideas on saving money on groceries.