By now we’ve all heard about the benefits of buying organic products. However, not everyone has access to an organic food store or a grocery store with abundant organic produce. Food costs are also rising, and with organic food already slightly higher priced than non-organic, it can be hard to have access to the healthy food you seek at an affordable price.
Food prices increased 10.1% in the last year. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Alpha Foods, bout 90% of US consumers are concerned about food prices, reported on by CNBC.
Organic foods can cost anywhere from 7% to 82% more than their non-organic competitors. That’s a pretty steep hike when you combine it with the rising food costs. You may wonder why or how organic foods are even worth it.
Why buy organic food?
So, why buy organic groceries? There are several reasons, but mainly it comes down to health: your health and the environment.
Organic farming is the practice of farming without the use of chemicals. This ecologically-based system relies on preventative practices for weeds, insects and disease uses nontoxic methods to manage problems. It also improves the natural resources of the land, including soil and water quality.
So the organic fresh fruits and vegetables or organic meat you purchase and consume are better for you because they were not grown with harsh chemicals, and they’re better for the environment because they are not polluting the soil, waterways, and air with harmful, toxic chemicals.
There is an environmental impact when it comes to buying online—shipping and delivery often occur with vehicles that use fossil fuels. Many companies are starting to do their part to offset carbon emissions and use upcycled shipping materials as well.
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8 Best Places to Buy Organic Food Online
These days, the best places to shop are usually online. But are there online health food stores? Is Whole Foods your only option if you want to shop organic? Good news: yes, you can buy organic, fresh produce at an online store, or at your local grocery store, and support organic farmers all the same. Here are 8 online retailers where you can buy organic groceries online.
Thrive Market
Their mission is to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone, and with every new paid membership Thrive Market donates a free membership to a family in need.
Thrive Market costs $5 per month for the membership and you can expect up to 30% in savings on organic and sustainable products and you can get even more savings when you put your favorite items on auto-ship. You can pause or skip auto-ship whenever you need to, and with orders over $49 you’ll receive fast & free carbon-neutral shipping.
Pros: You get deals, free gifts & member-exclusive prices, all their products are organic and sustainable
Cons: They offer exclusive products so if you love a specific brand they may not carry it but add new things all of the time
Must-try products: CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef sticks, Thrive Market non-GMO Grain-Free tortilla chips, Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo
Imperfect Foods
With the mission to end food waste and “Eat Ugly,” Imperfect foods sells the imperfect products that would be rejected or tossed at conventional grocery stores.
This online store is free to sign up with no annual membership fee, subscription, or services fees. Each week you fill your cart with what you want and when your shopping window closes they’ll automatically charge you for whatever is in your cart. You just pay for your products plus a delivery fee.
Pros: You save money and food from going “down the drain.” You can find high quality healthy snacks, organic items, dairy products, meats and fish, and more!
Cons: They may not have all the products you want each week because their supply comes from any rejected products from brands and farms.
Must-try products: Imperfect Foods Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Imperfect Foods Seasoning For All Of The Things, Oat-ly Oat Milk
Misfits Market
Misfits Market wants to make affordable, high-quality food more accessible and help break the cycle of food waste at the same time. They work directly with farmers and makers to rescue “ugly” organic produce and other flawed-but-still-good grocery items that might otherwise go to waste, then deliver them to your door—all while passing the savings on to you with this free membership.
Pros: They are resourceful and offer high-quality products that would have gone straight to landfill for “misfit” qualities.
Cons: Because they are a newer company, this startup doesn’t delivery everywhere—yet. But, you can join their waitlist if they don’t deliver to your zip code so that you’ll be the first to know when they do. Right now they are only delivering within the United States.
Must-Try Products: Lesser Evil Organic Popcorn, Belgian Boys x Misfits Upcycled Stroopwafel, Organic Blueberries
Public Goods
Public Goods wants to make a big impact with small choices, which is why they offer healthy and sustainable products at wholesale prices, and they plant a tree with each order.
Their annual membership is $79 and they offer free shipping on orders of $45 or more.
Pros: The plant a tree for each order, ethically source each product, and are able to offer prices below retail thanks to their membership structure. Their products range from food and pantry items, to plants, to home goods and beauty products.
Cons: The annual membership is more expensive but you have access to way more products than just groceries
Must-try Products: Ramen Variety Pack, SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen, Red Rosé 3-Pack of Wine
Butcher Box
This online market is meat-only! ButcherBox is a meat delivery service that brings 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, humanely raised pork, and wild-caught seafood directly to your door. They have five different box options with roughly 8-14 lbs of meat per box, each at a different price point. You can also choose your delivery frequency.
Pros: Their selection allows you to choose the right box for your budget and diet. They offer free shipping and you can cancel at any time.
Cons: Obviously, there are no vegetarian/vegan options as this is a meat and fish delivery service.
Must-Try Products: Their Custom Box and Basic Box
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh grocery delivery is included with the Amazon Prime membership ($12.99/month). Amazon has an abundance of products and you can find most brands from small to big companies.
Pros: They have a wide variety of products and you can subscribe & save on your favorites.
Cons: Often the best savings are when you buy in bulk.
Must-Try Products: Orgain Organic Protein Powder, Nate’s 100% Pure Organic Raw & Unfiltered Honey, Annie’s Organic Bunny Snack Pack
Green Chef Organic Meal Delivery
This meal kit delivery service offers a variety of plans including Vegetarian, Vegan, Mediterranean, Gluten Free, Keto + Paleo, and Fast + Fit. Price per meal depends on the number of people and number of meals per week, but typically it is $13.49 per serving and shipping is $9.99.
Pros: You have all the ingredients portioned and sent straight to your door
Cons: Compared to other meal delivery kits, Green Chef fall on the more expensive end.
Must-Try Meals: Caprese Quinoa Casserole, Montery Jack Smothered Chicken, Greek Beef & Feta Patties
Azure Standard
Azure Standard is an online grocery store for healthy, organic foods and natural products. Membership is free and you can have your groceries delivered to your door or you can pick them up at specific drop points. They offer Products from food, health & beauty, household, outdoor & garden, and also nutritional supplements.
Pros: Membership is free!
Cons: Their at-home delivery is through parcel services like USPS and UPS, which can sometimes be delayed.
Must-Try Products: All-fruit smoothie, bison breakfast sausage, Pamela’s grain-free honey graham crackers
In Summary: Best Place To Buy Organic Food Online
While shopping online is amazing, both for convenience in our hectic lives and for the ultimate savings, shopping locally is also great for the environment and for your community. When you can, try shopping at your local farmers market, where local farms bring their wares to you—that means less pollution from shipping and a lower carbon footprint as well as the money you spend stays within your community.
Being able to shop organic at an online grocery store is supremely helpful when you’re looking to save on time and money but not skimp on quality. Many online retailers offer a variety of organic produce, meats, and personal care products so you can live your best, organic life.
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