[frugalista]

Organic is my gold standard but I can't/don't always buy that stuff.

Also important to me is buying local. It seems odd to waste vast amaounts of energy to transport food half way across the planet when there's no real need. It's even more odd to religiously buy organic when if has too many 'food miles' attached to it.

To be frugal and ethical investigate what foods are produced local and enjoy cheap seasonal products?

Avoid supermarkets if possible as the merely suck money out of the local economy, encourage more car use and sprawl and put the screws to farmers and small suppliers.

To get the cost of your organic stuff down, why not team up with friends to start a food buying group/co-op and put in a big order to a wholesaler.