2009.03.25
Organic versus store brand
A gallon of store brand milk or Horizon’s organic version? That’s a question that I’ve been asking myself lately when I approach the grocery store's dairy section.
I can save several dollars for a gallon of store brand milk, rather than buying the organic gallon. Because of the wide cost difference, often I've chosen the store brand over Horizon.
Not everyone is scaling back on natural or organic food purchases. According to Nielsen Co.’s Healthy Eating Report for 2008, sales of organic or natural foods rose last year, compared with 2007.
Here’s a link to the report’s findings.
What decisions have you made at the grocery store lately? Are you bypassing organic or natural products for less expensive brands?
I do usually bypass organic because most of the time it is more expensive. But, I think I'd like to incorporate more organic items into my diet. One thing I do love is that Kroger (at least the one I go to) has a clearance bin full of organic items...I always make sure to check it out and I have found several good buys.
Comment by HCS — March 25, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
It depends. We will try to buy organic whenever possible, but if there is a comparable item that is a lot cheaper, we'll buy the regular item. That's part of why we love Whole Foods. They have their own store label brand that is comparable in price to what the Kroger and Food Lion store branded organic selections run. Only problem is that the nearest Whole Foods is about 2 hours from here, so we rarely go. More to what we aim for is not so much organic as it is the gluten free items. My wife can't tolerate the gluten, and I also have periodic problems so we just avoid wheat and gluten if at all possible. That's why we love shopping at Kroger, because they have a fairly large selection...along with Eats and Annie Kays in Blacksburg, plus the gluten-free store in Pulaski (the name escapes me, but it's great).
Comment by Other John — March 25, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I would love to buy organic all the time, but it is expensive. My one organic splurge is organic milk, it has a longer expiration date and tastes better than non-organic milk. I'm partial to Horizon, but the Kroger organic line is also good.
Comment by Tricia — March 25, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Yes, I bypass organic products mainly due to the expense. However, I'm not convinced that organic is all it's advertised to be. Nor do I believe that it is necessarily healthier or better for you. However, I have bought organic in the past because the packaged quantity was less and just what I needed. I didn't want to buy non-organic and have half of the product spoil before I could use it.
Comment by Michael — March 26, 2009 @ 12:17 am
Another thing I buy, though it's not organic, is halal meat. I don't know all the reasons why, but halal meat keeps in the fridge for about a week longer than regular meat I'd buy at Kroger or Food Lion. It may have to do with the meat quality, but I suspect it's more in how it's processed. I just know that the meat isn't bloody like it is at the store, so a pound of ground beef will stay red and edible for nearly 2 weeks, whereas regular ground beef from the store turns in 3-5 days, at the most. I also think it tastes better, but we have to special order over the internet and have it shipped with dry ice...sort of like Omaha Steaks, but a whole lot less than them. The price we pay is a bit above what we'd pay at the store, but not that much. Even with shipping, a pound of ground beef averages us about $4.00, and the similar store product is usually in the high $3/lb range. Our steaks often are cheaper than in the store, but chicken is more expensive. Plus, for it to qualify as halal, it has to meet the natural qualification in terms of no hormones fed to the animals and the animals can't be fed re-processed waste animal parts like what frequently happens in commercial farms.
Comment by Other John — March 26, 2009 @ 8:34 am
I buy organic fruits and veggies unless the price difference in really large. I also buy organic chicken. It does cost more, but tastes better in my opinion. I'm not a milk drinker, but I buy organic milk when my grandson is visiting.
Comment by Debbie — March 26, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
We buy organic milk, but usually buy either the Kroger or Food Lion brand organic because it's cheaper. I prefer Horizon but I can't justify the price. When I was pregnant with my son last year, we splurged and bought Horizon most of the time because it was the only brand offered in a gallon size (I drank milk ALL THE TIME. I craved it.). My husband and I prefer the taste, and have both had bouts of intolerance to milk. A friend suggested switching to organic and it seems to have helped. I actually saw something in the news yesterday that said research shows organic milk to be higher in certain vitamins, so now I feel pretty good for paying a little more!
I will buy organic fruits and veggies, both fresh and frozen. I found a list last year of what produce you should buy organic. Basically, any produce that does not have a rind to peel (apples, pears, grapes etc) you should buy organic because the inorganic versions soak up more of the pesticides due to not having the protective rind.
Buying organic processed foods seems silly, but occasionally I will buy them. I like the Annie's Organic because all of the ingredients are natural and the list of ingredients doesn't take up one-half of the side of the box. I only get Annie's when it's on sale, though, as it is more expensive. But my shopping habits are generally dictated by what's on sale anyway.
Comment by Lori — March 26, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
Personally, I think that if an organic product is affordable, a person should consider buying it. But I wouldn't spend tons of extra money on organic products. The "organic" label has some meaning, but it's probably better for the environment, the economy and a family's health to try and buy local instead. Most local producers are following many of the same practices they would have to follow if they were certified organic just because they know that's the right thing to do. And some just can't afford the extra money it costs to jump through all the hoops so that they can get certified organic.
Comment by Lindsey — March 27, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
I'd love to buy organic all the time but find it a tad more costly. Some items you can shop around for and get a better deal in organics. I recently cleared a very small space in my yard for a tiny garden, it'll be all organic and free of cost...
Comment by pammala — March 28, 2009 @ 12:53 pm