I don't know where you are located but the local Kroger grocery stores here are actually pretty good. Raw honey (big jar for about $8 rather than $18), goat cheese, some free range meats and I actually saw kefir in the Kroger where I go to school today. I was in a hurry so I didn't look and honestly-with my dairy allergy I've been so long without milk I'm not in a hurry to get back to drinking it-but I was pleased to see it.

You are right though-it's extremely expensive and I'm a poor college student. My sisters and I split the costs on a lot of things and that helps (one bought honey, another buys cheese, raw almonds, etc) but if you don't have someone to share that burden with it would get very pricey very quickly.

Best of luck to you.

~Renae

Phlism,

I agree that organic is a bit costly but I also think that bad health is costly as well. Many people don't think twice about buy soda or desert or going to a vending machine or fast food restaurant. When you compare these place in cost you might find that it's comparable. Since I'm not buying soda I have room to pay a little more for organic fruit (the most costly organic stuff in our experience). Since I'm not eating at McDonald's I have a little extra to buy free range chicken. Make sense? My wife took her shopping skills and I was pretty impressed with her ability to find organic and other foods which followed the Maker's Diet guidlines at a reasonable price. I believe her key is just shoping around like she does normally. I would like to suggest some ways to help you out.

Costco's carries lost of organic items and other items which follow the Maker's Diet. I know the diet calls for raw milk but if you're going to have to compromise and drink pastorized milk because of local laws you're best to choose organic sources. It so happens that Costco's has organic milk and eggs from free range chickens. We also found chicken sausage with lamb casing. They also carry Hebrew National a Kosher hotdog. That's the hotdog they sell you at their express deli upfront. All of these items we resonably priced. That is to say within a range close to the store.

I'm not sure where you live but there is a grocery store chain here on the east coast in the North called, "Giant" which carries lots of organic items at very reasonable prices like eggs, milk, yogurt, fruits and vegetables. One of the companies we have found is called, "Stoney Field". You may actually find them at any grocery store as they are branching out quite quickly. The more stores they sell to the cheaper it will get for us consumers.

Lastly, I would like to recommend local farms, co-ops and co-op markets. Depending on where you live you might have to drive a bit but it's more than worth it. I'm lucky because I live in Frederick, Maryland which is surrounded by farms but I think you might be amazed at how many locations have something. Co-op shoping not only helps with the variety but also helps with supporting the little guy.

I hope this helps,

Jason Furtak, The Maker's Forum
[email protected]

http://www.makersforum.com