Easy Ways to Make Your Dollar Last Longer at the Farmers' Market

Speaking of organic, McDonald understands why some shoppers would want to buy food grown without pesticides, but she advises them to not get too hung up on labeling. The truth is, organic certification costs anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and many small farmers who could qualify for it just don't have the money or time to go through the process. Speaking to the farmers can help you understand how that lettuce was grown; it may not be certified organic but it still may have been grown without chemicals or pesticides—and will likely be priced lower than the lettuce that does have the label.