Fruits and Vegetables

For starters, check your area for farmers markets. Overall, farmers markets will save you money, get you fresher produce, and you can rest assured that your food hasn't traveled 1000 miles to get to you and that all the money is going to the grower. Also, many farmers markets have specific organic sections now if that is something you are interested in.

PROS: Supports local farmers, generally cheaper, cuts down on carbon footprint from travel, fresher fruits and veggies, helps creates communities as you can establish connections with the farmers and local area residents.

CONS: Since everything is locally grown, out of season fruits and veggies may not be available. Requires a separate trip than the grocery store.

If you want to go one step further, join or start a local Community Supported Agriculture group (CSA). What you do is pay a monthly fee and every other week or every week, depending on their setup, a large box of assoretd fruits and veggies arrives at a drop off point where you pick it up.

PROS: Supports local farms, fresh fruits and veggies, cheaper than a store, may introduce you to new veggies, less packaging than buying in stores.

CONS: Need to pick the boxes up requiring some extra time, potential of a bug here or there, you may not be able to have exactly what you want when you want it.