by Sherrell Dorsey of OrganicBeautyVixen
Are any of you familiar with grocery outlet? It’s a discount grocery store that no one dare go in to for fear of being sold old expired food. For years I stayed out so when my aunt lured me in to the store yesterday I couldn’t help but cringe and be prepared for the worst. But what I found was an unexpected surprise.
In addition to carrying some of my favorite brands there was an organic section of packaged foods with actual relevant brands. Not this knock off versions of our favorites. Luna Bars, Tazo Tea and more. I stood there in disbelief. My only thought: Why was I sleeping on Grocery Outlet?
This just goes to show you that and no one has an excuse not to eat healthier when discount chain stores like this even carry organic.
Don’t be fooled. There are plenty of places that carry green and organic foods and products but you have to be open and nonjudgmental. Here are a few surprisingly great places to get your organic grub on:
Urban Farms – These community farms are homegrown gold mines. Neighbors get together and turn empty lots into gardens full of fresh veggies. You can even volunteer to assist and grow food for the community. Google “Urban Farms” in your city to find a resource near you.
Walmart – Even the big discount retailer is getting in on the organic action and bringing lots of healthy options to their super centers.
Soap.com – You can have all of your organic personal care products delivered to your door! They’ve done a lot of heavy advertising but don’t miss out on the “natural and organic” section for everything from laundry to shampoo and body wash from top natural personal care products.
Where else can you find great organic and natural options in your neighborhood?
Sherrell Dorsey is a natural beauty expert, writer, speaker and advocate of health, wellness and sustainability in communities of color. In addition to creating OrganicBeautyVixen.com, Sherrell writes beauty articles for Tyra Banks’s beauty and fashion site TypeF.com, Jones Magazine, MySalonScoop.com and Posh Beauty. Follow Sherrell on twitter at www.twitter.com/organicvixen and connect with her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/
Newark Natural Foods in Newark, Delaware is my go-to place. It's in the vicinity of the University of Delaware campus. They also stock a lot of natural and organic beauty products.
They offer a membership discount card, and if you're a Senior Citizen or Student, you get a discount on your discount card application fee.
They will also order any item for you if you don't see it on their shelves.
Thanks for sharing it
I get kale and ginger at the curb market in Atlanta. It has the best price on kale and fresh ginger. I have been juicing since the summer and I've lost 15lbs without really trying. Aldi has good produce prices too.
I totally agree with Anon 1:47…People bash me about my healthy eating habits and how I'm able to afford organic foods. It's a lifestyle so it's important to me and my family. Plan, plan and plan! I shop at Whole Foods and other local marktes that sell organic foods, but do so on a BUDGET. I capitalize on sales, specials, coupons, and sometimes have to stop at more than one place depending on who has the better price on certain foods that week. When it comes to fresh produce, buy organic foods you can eat the skin on but you can pass on foods that you peel.
And as CJ said, always check for the USDA seal just because the package says 'natural' or 'organic' doesn't mean that the majority of or all of the ingredients are certified organic; label reading is of the utmost importance when it come to eating healthy!
If you are looking for organic items just make sure it has the USDA organic symbol on it. If it does not have that then it is probably NOT organic. Any company can say that their product is organic and put those words (along with the words "all natural")on their packaging when actually it is not. Be careful!!!!
Farmer's markets. There are quite a few here in NYC, and this is also where I also learned about different flavors of foods I have eaten for years. A farmer at one of these places taught me the purple streaked garlic (which I LOVE) has more intense flavor than the pristine white garlic I bought for years from supermarkets. The prices are not bad, it's also fun to go spice shopping at these markets. In cold winter you can also shop at any food co-ops in your area. But all this takes more planning, it's not as easy as dropping into your closest neighborhood store. The time spent can be a luxury by itself.
So glad to see this. I get my head ripped off all the time by people who insist that it is far more expensive to eat healthfully than it is to stuff your face with fast foods.
Local Farmer's Markets are great places to get organic products and homemade healthful foods.
As far as Im concerned, it is stupid not to take care of your health and eat energy filled, lifesaving foods. The extensive problems with the health care system in this country are going to be around for the foreseeable future, so it behooves everyone to take personal responsibility for their health. Eating right is only one aspect of that, but a very important one.
Thanks for the info!