Shopping Organic on a Shoestring

Organic food that comes from small or artisanal farms that don't use pesticides and who treat their animals ethically typically will cost more than food produced on giant corporate farms. But if buying organic is important to you for health or environmental reason, taking the time to research savings options can really pay off.

We like to buy from Farmer's Markets,  Denver Urban  Homesteading's year-round farmer's market at 200 South Santa Fe (Saturdays 9-2), as well as local organic co-ops, etc. But some of us find it easier to shop at regular stores, and that's where coupons come in. Combine coupons and sales and you have a good deal.
 
First and foremost, you can look for sales at places like Whole Foods (good luck on that one), Vitamin Cottage or Sunflower Market. We love Vitamin Cottage, because it is Colorado born and bred and prices are decent, but we also are big fans of Sunflower. Why? Because on Wednesdays Sunflower offers double the opportunity to save -- since the sale cycle changes every Wednesday, not only do you get the current week's specials, you also get last week's specials!! Finally, don't underestimate places like Costco, which sells Rudi's bread for a pitance, compared to Whole Foods. Please don't think I'm bashing on Whole Foods (CEO John Mackey aside), because I do shop at our Washington Park Whole Foods. I just liked it better when it was Wild Oats and not so...Disneyland. Safeway and Kings also sell some organic groceries.

Still, if you want to shop smart for organics, please consider couponing. Magazines are a good source of coupons. If you subscribe to Vegetarian Times, check page 79 in their March 2010 issue for a coupon good for $2.50 off any (1) Rice Select item. The coupon expires 6.30.10. If you don't already subscribe, you can get a one-year subscription for $7 via our Amazon affiliate link Vegetarian Times (1-year) You can also get access to their healthy living coupons on their website. Also worth checking out....organic bloggers like Organic Coupons and Deals, who are always on the lookout for bargains. Other great places to look for organic coupons...
Health E-Savers
The natural version of Coupons.com.
A great resource for organic and natural product coupons.
Organic Food Coupons
Same as Health E Savers.
Mambo Sprouts
Miscellaneous printable natural and organic product coupons. Denver area residents can get a coupon book in the mail. E-Coupons. They also provide Whole Foods Market with a Special Events coupon booklet, which is distributed at events sponsored by each store throughout the entire year. Coupons range from Bach Flower Essences, Rescue Remedy, Newman's Own, etc. Great resource.
Shop Nature Oasis (online natural foods market).
Printable coupons for various organic products.
Healthesavers
Has an ever-changing variety of organic coupons.
WholeFoods.
Has an in-store publication called The Whole Deal which contains coupons.

Okay. Below find a list of organic food and grocery manufacturers. Many have coupons on their website, as well as their own e-mail newsletters. Check your favorite products Web sites for printable coupons, newsletter sign-ups and other offers. And please, don't hesitate to e-mail their customer service contacts with positive feedback about their products and ask if they have coupons available. If you include your address in your e-mail, they may send you free coupons for the products you like. Also, keep in mind that organic foods sold under such brands as Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and Amy's often have coupons on the inside of their packages.
Applegate Farms
(Organic and natural hot dogs, bacon, sausage, frozen food, cheese snacks, deli).
Alexia Foods
(Natural and organic appetizers, breads, mashed potatoes, oven fries, onion rings, nuggets).
Arrowhead Mills
(Natural, organic, whole grain and gluten-free hot and cold cereals, pancake mixes, seeds and grains)
Aura Cacia
(Pure, sustainable essential oils, aromatherapy for adults, kids, baby).
Blue Diamond
(Natural almonds, nut and rice snacks, almond milk)
Brown Cow Farm
(Natural yogurt).
They have a regular 50c or 75c printable coupons for yogurt when you submit your email address.
Cascadian Farm.
(Organic granola bars, frozen fruit, cereals, frozen potatoes, fruit spread, juice concentrates, relish)
Clif Bar
(natural bars)
Sign up for the newsletter and receive samples in the mail.
Coleman Naturals
(Natural and organic antibiotic-free, hormone-free meats).
If you take their quick survey, you will be able to print $5 worth of coupons at the end.
Corazonas
(heart-healthy, cholesterol-lowing chips)
Take the 28-day challenge. If you eat two 1oz servings of chips per day and you don’t see a reduction in your cholesterol, you can get a refund for your chips up to $24 when you submit your redemption form, receipts and cholesterol test. Also, you can get promotional information by signing up for their newsletter.
Country Choice Organic
(Cookies and snacks)
Delicious Living
Printable coupons for a variety of products...some organic.
Dreamfields Pasta.
(High fiber, low glycemic pasta)
$1 coupon off one box, plus promotions by signing up for their newsletter.
Earthbound Farm
(Organic fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, snacks, cookies, granola, beverages).
Earths Best
(Organic baby food and snacks)
Coupons for baby food and Sesame Street snacks. Sign up for their newsletter to receive promotions.
Ecover
(Eco-friendly household cleaners)
Embodi
(Natural juice)
http://www.drinkembodi.com/.
Endangered Species .
(Chocolate. Very. Good. Chocolate)
Enjoy Life Foods
(Allergy-friendly, gluten-free cookies, granola, snack bars, bagels, trail mix, chocolate chips, chocolate bars)
55 cent coupon on the website now.
Ethnic Gourmet
(Natural frozen entrees)
See Mambo Sprouts for current coupons. Sign up to receive offers from A Healthy Way of Life (The Hain Celestial Group).
Fair Trade Honey
(Organic fair trade honey).
Sign up for newsletter to get coupons
Food For Life
(Natural and organic Ezekiel 4:9 breads, muffins, pasta, tortillas, buns, yeast-free bread products, and parent company to Sunrise Organics, Natural Food Mill and Crystal Falls )
Garden of Eatin
(Organic blue corn chips). $1 off coupon.
Greens to Go
(Natural antioxidant drink mixes
Health Valley
(soups, bars, cereals)
Kashi 
(natural whole grain cereal, cookies).
Knudsen Juice 
(natural and organic juices).
LifeWay (kefir products –
(drinks, pudding, cheese, cream cheese).
Laura’s Lean Beef 
(antibiotic free, hormone free beef products). Sign up to get an instant printable coupon
Midel Cookies
(natural cookies)
Method
(soaps, laundry, hand cleaners, etc.)
Morningstar
(meatless burgers, hot dogs, chicken substitute, breakfast items, snacks).
Sign up to be a Morningstar Insider and get special offers and coupons
Muir Glen (organic canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, purees, soups, ketchup).
Join the Tomato Connoisseurs Club and receive an instant $1 coupon.
Nature Made (natural vitamins).
Sign up to be a member and get $1 coupons.
Organic Prairie (organic meat).
Printable coupons for steak, hotdogs, deli meat,etc.
Organic Valley (milk, cheese, cottage, cheese, butter).Coupons for milk, soymilk, cheese, cottage cheese, butter. 
Rosetto (natural pasta).
Seventh Generation
(natural cleaning products, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, diapers, wipes).
Coupons for diapers, wipes, laundry, cleaning, dishwashing products.
Shikai
(natural haircare, lotions, bronzers, facial care, shower gels)
No current coupon, but keep checking.
Silk (natural soymilk).
Sign up to receive e-mail offers and they’ll instantly send you 55c coupon via email.
Stonyfield Farm (organic milk, smoothies, yogurt, ice cream).
Coupons for yogurt, milk, smoothies, ice cream.
The Natural Dentist (toothpaste and mouth rinse).
$1 printable coupon.