I will say that although it is frustrating trying to live a non-toxic lifestyle on a budget, I have thoroughly enjoyed having the summer to figure out my grocery schedule for the upcoming year. When I say grocery schedule, I am referring to not only when I will shop but also where I will shop once the school year starts. I've got to do the research now and determine a set plan because once the school year starts there is absolutely no time to be going to three different grocery stores in one week--not to mention--who seriously wants to be doing that anyway!
After a recent post about my frustration with food I have decided to try/consider some different options. Here's what I have tried:
Option #1: Shop exclusively at Target
This option was most definitely the easy way out (for me--I realize not for everyone). In my mind I would justify this option based on several thoughts.... I mean, I do have a Target Red debit card, so I am saving 5% on every purchase! Plus I could get everything I need in one stop! Cleaning supplies, paper products, groceries and more. Although this option seemed good in theory, and it may work for many Moms, it didn't work for Brandon and I, OR our budget. I generally try to spend about $100 a week for all of my groceries, paper products, and cleaning supplies. With this option, I was spending approximately $120-140 a week! Nope, not happening. Although it is great that Target offers Organic options, they do not come without a cost. Paying over $4 for half a gallon of Organic milk is just not going to work for us. I have determined that I will continue to purchase my non-toxic cleaning supplies from Target as they will often have these products on sale and I will be able to take an additional 5% off with my Target Red. Keep your eyes peeled for the sales!
Option #2: Shop exclusively at Aldi or Trader Joes
I am and have always been a huge fan of Trader Joes. Their prices are awesome! The quality and service--even better. However, they do not have everything I need on a weekly basis, which forces me to shop at two grocery stores every week. I don't love this option. Aldi is very similar to Trader Joes, but I am not as big of a fan due to the quality of their products. I am super pumped that they have decided to try a line of Organics, because truly you can not beat their prices! Aldi, without a doubt, is the cheapest option for grocery shopping but they just don't have all that I need, and they certainly to not offer enough Organic options for me to shop there exclusively.
Papa Spuds is a local company that delivers produce and various other items to your door. It offers a great variety of Organics and non-Organic (but still pesticide free) produce. This is the option I am trying out this week. I have ordered from Papa Spuds and will need to hit up a grocery store for the rest of the items I will need for the week.
So let's talk for a minute about Papa Spuds. When determining if this was an option that I would like to consider I not only looked into Papa Spuds, but also Backyard Produce, which offers the same service as Papa Spuds. Both services offer weekly deliveries to your door. Both services offer several different packages based on how much produce you would like/need for the week. Both services are based on a "credit" system.
Let's break it down:
Papa Spud's three packages = Small box, 15 credits ($18.44/week) - Regular box, 20 credits ($23.69/week) - Family box, 40 credits ($45.09/week)
The way it works is each week you will have the opportunity to create your box based on what produce is available from (majority) local NC farms. Each item is worth a certain number of credits....here are a few examples: 3/4 lbs of Organic Green Beans are 3 credits, and 2 lbs (4) Organic Sweet Potatoes are also 3 credits.
I decided to go ahead and go for the Family box and here is a picture of what my box included:
Papa Spuds offers a large variety of items including handmade pastas, perogies, and meat from local NC farms. I was hoping that this $45 a week would cover ALL of my produce for the week. Which would leave me with $55 a week to spend on all other grocery needs.
I also investigated Backyard Produce and decided against this company. Although they offer essentially the same program, and even had some additional products that Papa Spuds did not offer, their credit system was slightly outrageous. For example, Organic ground beef was as much as 38 credits for one pound. I have also asked for recommendations from several Raleigh Mom's who have tried both services and they recommend Papa Spuds over Byproduce.
So then, I guess I am currently "trying out" option #3 as I have exhausted all other options. Here's the thing though. If I'm being honest, I was not overly impressed with the amount of food I got from Papa Spuds for my $45 dollars. I suppose I could be more thrifty and go with the "non-pesticide" options rather than the Organic options and see if this allows me to get more bang for my buck. I am going to give it a try for another week and see if going this route provides me greater satisfaction.
Feeling slightly defeated---open to reader's suggestions, as always!
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