But with all these sales, you may still be surprised at the hit your wallet takes as you make your way through the checkout.

The Washington Post
reports that buying organic foods can be up to 40 percent more
expensive than regular foods. So how does a family go organic without
going broke?

Here are some easy tips for buying organic food on the cheap:

1. Research

Before heading to the supermarket, search the Web for local organic
associations or organizations in your town or state. Buying local is
often cheaper. These sites will have tips and information that will
help you make your organic food choices.
Bankrate.com lists some organic food Web sites that can help you get started, including
Organic Consumers Association and
Eat Well Guide .

2. Buy locally

Local growers will have items that are in season and will have them
priced to sell. Also ask about discounts and bargains, or if there are
“seconds” (misshaped foods that are fine otherwise) for sale.

The
added benefit of buying locally is that you can usually speak with
someone who works the farm. You can ask questions about the food and
even get tips on preparing the food. Buying locally also helps sustain
the local economy.

3. Buy items seasonally

Fruits and vegetables that are in season will be more abundant on store
shelves and will usually cost less and, as an added bonus, taste great.
Whether you buy in-season items from a local grower or your
supermarket, the items are always cheaper than items not in-season (ie,
items that have been shipped great distances to get to the market).

Be flexible with your shopping and purchase items that are on sale: if apples are on sale, buy them instead of other fruits.

4. Buy in bulk

When items are on sale, stock up. This is especially true of canned
items, cereals, dried fruits and beans (canned, bagged, or bulk). Be
careful to store the items at home; you don’t want items to expire. And
with fresh foods, some are good for a number of days, or try preserving
fruits or canning vegetables. Freezing is also a good way to have fresh
foods available any time.

Also if you are feeding a big family,
you may consider joining a co-op or buying club. A co-op is a
member-owned business that provides groceries and other proeucts to its
members at a discount. With a buying club, members purchase food and
other organic products in bulk and then share with all the members.

And buy generic brands when available. Store generic organic brands are less expensive than brand-name organic foods.

5. Grow your own

A family garden is a great way to have fresh, healthy fruits and
vegetables at a fraction of the cost of buying them at the supermarket.
Check with your garden center about which plants to start early in the
season, like strawberries; those that thrive in the summer heat, like
tomatoes; and those that will last into the fall, like chard and kale.
Also start slow and pick items that are easy to grow.

Though likely not for budgetary reasons, first lady
Michelle Obama started a garden at the White House this year. California’s first lady
Maria Shriver followed her lead and planted a garden on Capitol grounds in Sacramento.

Finally
getrichslowly.com offers several tips on starting your own garden.