Can she eat all organic on a food stamp budget?

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted May 19th 2007 @ 1:01PM

We mention organic foods here on Slashfood quite a bit - how can we not when "organic" in the food world is about as trendy as the color yellow in fashion? The problem is, however, thaat like many things that become trendy. eating organic is expensive - it might be better for our bodies and better for the environment, but it's not something that everyone in the US can do.

Rebecca Blood has taken up the challenge of eating all organic on a food stamp budget as allocated by the state of Oregon. She's tracking herself by posting on her blog every day what she makes and eats for a month (obviously, eating organic and doing it on a budget means practically every meal has to be at home). The question for Rebecca wasn't whether she could stay within budget, but whether she would be able to eat well. So far, it looks like she's doing pretty well with things like Spaghetti with Zucchini and Basil (pictured above) and Baked Chilaquiles.

Filed Under: Business, On the Blogs, Health & Medical, Ingredients, How To
Tags: america, breakfast, dinner, lunch, organic

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-19-2007 @9:20PM Lydia said... It's certainly easier for one person to eat organically using food stamps than it is for, say, a family of four. However, it's far less expensive to eat "fresh" using organic products, if one prepares meals at home. Eating out is an expensive proposition, and a high-calorie one. Try mixing smoothies using organic soy milk and frozen berries, or baking quiches using organic eggs. And organic cereals are no more expensive than their high-sugar counterparts. I know; I've been creating organic meals on a tight budget for months. With a little planning, it can be done.
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5-19-2007 @10:30PM Sam said... Forget that, it's all about local, organic doesn't mean anything.
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5-21-2007 @12:52PM beanspants said... organic actually does mean something -- it has a fairly specfic definition:

For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives.

For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones.

Organic doesn't mean healthy, unless you are worried about future health issues coming from pesticides or radiation. McDonalds could easily make organic Big Macs.

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