Produce with thick skin doesn't have to be organic.

Organic food costs more. That part isn't going to change. But the gap between what you can pay and what you have to pay is bigger than most people realize, and closing it is mostly a matter of knowing where the money actually goes.

1. Skip organic on the low-residue produce.

Some fruits and vegetables consistently test with little to no pesticide residue on the part you eat. Buying those organic is the easiest money to save.

Avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, onions, papaya, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, honeydew, kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, mangoes, watermelon and carrots all land on that list most years. The Environmental Working Group updates it annually and it's free to look up.

Two caveats. If you buy organic for reasons beyond residue, like farming practices or runoff, peeling a mango doesn't address any of that, and this tip won't apply to you. And wash melons and cantaloupe before you cut them regardless. Your knife carries whatever is on the rind straight into the fruit.

If you aren’t sure what organic foods are or what their benefits might be, read this article: Organic vs. Conventional Foods.

2. Spend it where residue is highest.

The other side of the same coin. Strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, peaches, cherries, nectarines, apples, blueberries and green beans tend to test highest and don't peel. If you're going to buy some things organic, buy these.

3. Buy in season.

Prices track the harvest, and organic prices swing harder than conventional ones because the supply is smaller. Seasonal guides are easy to find online, and warehouse stores often move organic produce at near-conventional prices when something is in peak supply.

There are several seasonal buying guides online, but we've put together a simple list in our article: Seasonal Produce Guide - When's the Best Month to Buy Fruits and Vegetables?

4. Buy in bulk only if you can freeze it or store it.

Bulk organic is a bargain when it's frozen produce, grains, beans or nuts, all of which keep for months. It's a loss when it's fresh produce with a four-day shelf life. Frozen organic vegetables in particular are usually cheaper than fresh, get picked at ripeness, and let you thaw only what you need.

5. Start with the store brand.

House-brand organics almost always beat national brands on price. Publix has Greenwise, Costco has Kirkland Signature, Wegmans has Wegmans Organic, Albertsons and Safeway have O Organics, Target has Good & Gather, Walmart has Great Value Organic and Bettergoods, Aldi has Simply Nature, Kroger has Simple Truth, and Whole Foods has 365. Trader Joe's sells organics under its own name at prices worth checking against anywhere else.

6. Try the farmers market late.

Farmers markets aren't automatically cheaper, but the last hour often is, because vendors would rather discount than haul it home. Ask. Small local growers frequently follow organic practices without paying for certification, which is expensive and out of reach for a small operation. If it matters to you, ask how they grow it.

7. Buy it whole.

Pre-cut, pre-washed and pre-bagged organic produce carries a markup that has nothing to do with organic farming. A head of romaine against a clamshell of organic hearts, or a whole pineapple against a tub of spears, is usually the single largest price gap in the produce section.

8. Use coupons and grow the easy stuff.

Most organic brands run coupons through their newsletters. Organic Valley, Amy's Kitchen, Bob's Red Mill, Eden Foods, Newman's Own Organics and Simply Organic all do. Use a throwaway email address until you trust them with a real one.

And organic herbs are absurdly priced for what they are. Basil, mint, rosemary and green onions grow in a pot on a porch here year-round, and a $3 plant replaces a $4 plastic clamshell every week.

9. Don't buy organic junk food, or organic seafood.

An organic soda is a can of sugar water with a better label. Same for organic cookies, chips and most of what comes in a box. The processing is the problem, and organic doesn't fix it.

Organic seafood is a different issue: the USDA has never finalized organic standards for seafood, so the word on a package sold here isn't regulated and doesn't tell you anything. Buy fish on species, source and freshness instead.

The Bottom Line

Decide which items are worth it, buy those in season and store brand, skip organic on everything that tests clean, and put nothing organic in your cart that came in a box.

Call for a FREE Consultation (305) 296-3434
CAUTION: Check with your doctor before
beginning any diet or exercise program.

12/23/2017
Updated 5/29/2022
Updated 8/30/2026