How to Eat Organic From the Grocery Store on a Budget

If you’ve recently decided to buy healthier, more sustainable foods—but need to stick to a budget—this post is for you (that’s like, everyone, right?). With a little planning, you can make choices that are better for you, your wallet, and the environment. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started eating organic on a budget.

If you are familiar with my homesteading goals, you will know that I want to be more sustainable, healthier, and more frugal (I talk about these things a lot on the podcast). With this healthy yet budget-friendly grocery haul, I wanted to see if I could actually do the first two while also being financially savvy. I am going to take your through my steps so you can implement them in your own home!

Today I wanted to bring you along grocery shopping with me to answer some questions about this new “homesteading” way of life that I am trying to live.

1. Is eating from scratch really cheaper?
2. Is buying organic better/worth the price?
3. Can you do all of this on a budget/shopping at a military commissary?

Step 1: Plan Your Meals

Why it matters: Meal planning helps you avoid impulsive (often more expensive) buys and reduces food waste. By knowing exactly what you need for the week, you can shop smarter and stay on budget.

• Start with a weekly dinner menu. List out simple meals you can realistically cook. Incorporate dishes that share common ingredients so you buy less. I even have a Google Sheets Monthly Meal Planner if you want to plan for the whole month!
• Shop your pantry first. Use what you already have at home—like spices, beans, or grains—and build meals around those items.

Pro Tip: Create a running list of your go-to, budget-friendly meals. Rotate them into your weekly plan so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you shop.

My Grocery Plan for the Week

Just in case you are interested, we are a family of 2 adults and one toddler. I already had some ingredients on hand.

Here is my dinner plan for the week:

• Sunday: Spicy Sausages
• Monday: Ground Beef, Pepper, and Onion Sourdough Skillet
• Tuesday: Pork Butt and Coleslaw
• Wednesday: Sheet Pan Brats
• Thursday: Cast Iron Skillet Steak and Potatoes
• Friday: Homemade Pizza
• Saturday: Eat Out!

Step 2: Know When to Splurge on Organic

Why it matters: Some organic items are worth the extra cost because they’re frequently high in pesticides when grown conventionally (non-organic). Others may not need to be organic.

Focus on Produce First

So we know that buying organic is generally more expensive. So where can we get the most bang for our buck? Organic produce tends to be only a little more expensive than its conventional counterpart, especially when it’s in season.

Consider local, seasonal produce. Local farmers’ markets often have organic (or chemical-free) produce at competitive prices, and you can ask the farmer directly about their practices.

Pro Tip: If you can’t always buy organic, don’t stress. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables—organic or not—is better than none at all. Use the EWG lists as a priority guide.

Watch My Healthy Budget-Friendly Grocery Haul!

Now that we are done with the haul, I want to provide some insight that I learned while shopping this week.

Step 3: Embrace “From-Scratch” Swaps

Why it matters: Making your own versions of common staples can reduce costs, boost nutrition, and cut down on packaging waste.

Swapping these items in my typical grocery hauls could add up to a LOT!

• Make Your Own Snacks: If you haven’t watched my video on Sustainable Toddler Snacks, head over and check it out! For a week’s worth of pouches, I could save about $3.52. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but since it is an easy swap with a large sustainability impact, I would say it’s worth exploring.
• Craft Plant Based Milks: Next would be the DIY oat milk. I also have a post on this, and it is another easy swap with some added health benefits (and no seed oils!). I’d still recommend trying raw milk, though!
• Don’t Buy Soda: Okay, okay. We all know I shouldn’t drink Coke. This has a large impact on sustainability (Coca-Cola produces about three million tons of plastic packaging a year. Even though I get cans, it’s not a great company to support), health, and finances. So, why can’t I cut it? I don’t know. Leave me alone. We all have vices.
• Bake Bread: Lastly, making my own bread. I don’t really want to give up my Dave’s organic Good Seed bread and I don’t think I could make it cheaper. But regular white bread, artisan bread, and sourdough are easy and will definitely save me money compared to buying the store-bought organic options (almost $4 a week). Plus, homemade bread is delicious and kind of fun, so I need to be less lazy and just do it.

Pro Tip: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Focus on one or two from-scratch swaps at a time (like bread or a favorite snack). Once you get comfortable, add more.

Step 5: Look for Budget-Friendly Shopping Options

Why it matters: Different stores offer different deals. Even if you don’t have a specialty grocery chain nearby, you can often find organic staples in regular supermarkets or on-base military commissaries.

1. Check the commissary (for military families): More commissaries now stock organic basics like flour, sugar, and canned vegetables at lower prices. Watch expiration dates carefully, especially for produce and meat.
2. Warehouse clubs: Stores like Costco or Sam’s Club often carry bulk organics—produce, grains, and even frozen foods—at better prices per unit.
3. Local farms and markets: Often, the produce is fresher, and you can ask about their growing methods. Sometimes farmers use organic practices but haven’t paid for the certification, so their prices may be lower.

Pro Tip: Compare the per-unit price (e.g., per ounce or pound) between different brands and store options. Sometimes organic items in bulk or on sale end up cheaper than smaller, conventional counterparts.

Step 6: Track Your Savings and Stay Motivated

Why it matters: Knowing how much you’re saving by cooking from scratch or buying bulk organic items can motivate you to keep going.

• Calculate your swaps: For instance, if making your own bread saves $4 a week, multiply that by 52 weeks. Seeing that annual savings (over $200) will help you stick to homemade.
• Celebrate small wins: Even if you only manage a couple of organic items each week, that’s progress.

Pro Tip: If there’s a swap that’s both budget-friendly and a win for the environment—like homemade oat milk—stick to it. Over time, these choices can add up to significant savings.

Is Eating From Scratch Really Cheaper?

So, short answer is that it really depends. However, if you are buying quality ingredients from the store, it will be cheaper to make your own food from scratch.

With this grocery haul (in the video above) alone I discovered several changes I could make that would save me $563.69 in a year! That’s kind of a lot for such a small little haul.

Overall, I think that we can truly have it all. If we take the time to make things from scratch and shop in the right places, we CAN afford organic for a more sustainable, healthier, and yes, even more frugal life.

Eating Organic on a Budget is about Balance!

Eating organic on a budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on simple meal planning, embracing from-scratch recipes, and choosing produce wisely (using the “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” lists), you’ll optimize both your health and your grocery budget. Whether you’re shopping at a military commissary, a local farmers’ market, or a warehouse club, prioritizing organic staples and seasonal produce can significantly lower costs. With these beginner-friendly tips for frugal living and sustainable choices, you’ll quickly discover that feeding your family nutritious, pesticide-free foods is both affordable and incredibly rewarding.

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