According to a policy analyst with Consumer Report’s Greener Choices, organic produce, meat, and dairy products can cost anywhere between 50 to 100 percent more than their conventional counterpart. Despite that fact, consumers are increasingly turning to organics.

According to market research firm Hartman Group, more than 70 percent of consumers now have at least one organic product on their shopping list.

Yahoo Finance shares five tips for going organic for less:

1. Prioritize – Organic apples, beef, and spinach, for example, give you more bang for your buck than other produce because their conventionally grown counterparts are heavily laden with pesticides and other harmful additives. Seafood, cosmetics, and cleaning products, on the other hand, can be labeled “organic” without meeting the same USDA requirements imposed on vegetables and meats.

2. Consider alternatives – Organic meats, eggs, and dairy products are some of the priciest, but you can find antibiotic- or hormone-free varieties, giving you at least part of the organic benefit.

3. Look for sales – Organic food is frequently put on sale, so look for coupons and discounts advertised in store circulars.

4. Turn to local farmers, and buy in season – Local farmer’s markets and community-supported agriculture programs (CSA’s) are great places for organic produce, and buying fruits and vegetables that are in season will help reduce your cost, as pricing is more competitive during those times.

5. Consider generics – Many supermarkets are now adding their own organic lines to their private labels, pushing your cost down.

Source: mercola.com