8 Places to Shop for Organic Groceries
Where can you find high-quality food items when eating Paleo and/or gluten-free? These are the places I shop most often - and why.
Most of these are for buying food you will cook yourself; a few are for online sources.
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission on a sale, at no cost to you.
Tips
Buy local produce in season. Why?
Local produce will have the highest nutrient levels since you can buy it picked a very short time after harvest. It will be in season - another reason it will have the maximum nutrient levels since it’s with the right levels of sunshine and moisture.
If you can afford it, buy organic produce. Why?
According to The Environmental Working Group (EWG), organic produce will have lower levels of toxic pesticides than conventionally grown. They publish the lists called the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen. But as a physician I trust once told me, it’s better to eat conventionally grown strawberries - they still have those good phytonutrients - than to avoid the berries because you can’t get organic.
Speaking of the EWG, you can also check to see how they rate sunscreens and other skin care products and even find out about certain products from large stores.
Where to shop organic and affordable:
- Farmer’s Market
For produce and eggs and local meats, look for a market like the South Pearl Farmer’s Market in Denver. It’s wonderful, as much a social event as a place to shop. If you have a garden, you may have the same produce as your favorite farmers do. Goal: not planting so many carrots! This market is only open from May to November.
- Food Co-op
Look for a food co-op near you for local produce, both organic and conventional, and local eggs and meats. In Honolulu we shop at Kokua Market, where you can still earn a discount by volunteering a few hours a week. Denver doesn’t have one quite like that but a group of people is trying to get the Westwood Food Cooperative started. http://www.westwoodfood.coop
This grocery store company is not in all states, but if there is one near you, it is your best bet for organic produce since they don’t sell any that is conventional. They rank certain products like meat and eggs for their companies’ environmental practices such as “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”. They have their own brands which are quite affordable. Their first store, in Lakewood, CO, is still going strong.
- Whole Foods and Sprouts
I am lumping these together, probably unfairly, only because these are pretty even on my list for organic produce. There are many more states that have Whole Foods and Sprouts stores than Natural Grocers. Whole Foods offers certain items like organic milk as loss leaders, or priced below what other stores are selling, to help bring you in. I confess to a bit of cherry-picking for those. They also have a paleo-friendly section to help you shop online.
Whole Foods’ extensive fresh meat and fish counter, is a place to find bone-in chicken these days without going to a butcher shop, and more.
Sprouts has a fine collection of groceries and feels more affordable in general. They still sell herbs and spices, as well as nuts, in bulk at Sprouts, whereas Whole Foods has reduced their bulk offerings.
Everything at Trader Joe’s feels affordable and they always have organic produce even if not all items are available organic. Plus it’s fun to shop there because they always have a new product I haven’t seen. My only gripe is that so many items come wrapped in plastic.
Thrive Market is an online store with an excellent selection of foods for all eating styles. I have been a subscriber for years and rely on their own brands as well as other branded products for Paleo and Gluten-Free ingredients. Keto? Vegan? Lots of options for those, too. Membership costs $5 per month, or $60 per year. Thrive guarantees that you will get at least that back in savings over the year. I’m only sad that they don’t ship to Hawaii, but I enjoy Thrive when I am in Denver!
Shopping for meats and fish
I listed this company first because I have the most experience with them - not because they say it’s just like at Grandma’s house, oh, no! They source their beef, chicken, pork from family farms that practice regenerative farming, and their wild salmon from Alaska fisheries. The meats are delicious and you can customize your deliveries. The meats arrive frozen and you can adjust your deliveries to match what you use.
ButcherBox delivers 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, humanely raised pork, and wild-caught seafood directly to your door. I have a small amount of experience with Butcher Box but know others who recommend the products. Stay tuned for an unboxing post or video.