Eating Organic, Seasonal and Local on a Budget

Here's my latest challenge: Eating Seasonally, Locally and Organic on a TIGHT budget. I am tired of hearing people say that its costs too much to eat high quality foods. Anyone up to join me?

First a few things. 1. Define local for you. I define local as being from my home state of California, with a few exceptions made for cheese, coffee, spices, bananas and pineapples. Maybe for you its your region, or even the USA. Whatever. (for more info on eating locally http://eatlocalchallenge.com/) 2. Make a commitment to shop at the Farmers Market for produce. Personally I cant wait for my favorite produce stand to open back up in April....its been a long, hard season without them! Until then, I reluctantly go to one of the weekend Farmers Markets....I hate driving around on the weekends. 3. Choose better meat. The taste of high quality meat is so much better, not to mention better for you. 4. Set your budget. Previously, my budget has been around $800/monthly on food alone (in other words not paper towels or toothpaste, just food). Now I want to drop that down to $500, which means I have to be more disciplined. No more buying random things or stocking up....which is my biggest problem. You might be able to get away with a smaller budget depending on the needs of your family. I personally live and cook in the "house of boy", 1 husband, 2 little people, and two four legged...all male....all of which raid my kitchen on a daily basis. The goal is to eat well (I define "well" as real, chemical free food) and do it on a reasonable budget.

So are you with me?