I currently have my 16 month old on a mostly organic diet. I am buying different foods at Costco, Lakewinds, and Target. I live in Plymouth. I was hoping to find some good resources on where to get the best food for the best price. Also, what kinds of organic food are you finding? I would be open to any online grocers that people have tried and liked. Do any of you have a good resource for meat and chicken? I have found that to be cost prohibitive. Thank you in advance to all the great "Mamas".
Thank you all for the great responses. Trader Joes is great, and I will have to add them back into my shoppping routine. I have tried Fresh and Natural, and liked the selection, but found them to be too expensive. I am looking forward to trying out some of the other suggestions.
You might also be interested in this, though it's not exactly what you're talking about:
http://web.me.com/willwinter/traditionalfoodsmn.mac.com/i...
Hi. We mostly shop at The Wedge Coop, The Seward Coop and Linden Hills Coop. On occasion we use Costco too. I also purchase items from the Whole Farm Coop. Check them out online www.wholefarmcoop.com. What they are about and mission is online. I find that prices are a bit lower than the co-ops and more money goes to the farmers. They are great people to work with.
I would recommend the local co-ops. They may not be as close as you would like, but I think you would find good offerings and helpful ideas.
The Wedge
http://www.wedge.coop/
Linden Hills
http://www.lindenhills.coop/
Lakewinds
http://www.lakewinds.com/store/
Seward
http://seward.coop/
Eastside
http://www.eastsidefood.coop/retailer/store_templates/she...
Twin Cities
http://twincitiesfood.coop/locations/
I go to Lakewinds too. I plan on shopping at Midtown Global Market. They have a farm stand there where they sell organic meats. Plus the have a produce exchange as well.
I second the Trader Joe's option. Since almost all their food (even some of their organic produce) is their own brand, they're able to sell organic and/or all natural (aka no preservatives) food for much cheaper than you would imagine. In fact, I do almost all of my shopping at TJ's (I'm a big huge fan) and I inevitably spend MUCH LESS than I do at Cub or even Target, where my husband works - giving us a 10% discount. They do not sell premade baby food in jars, but they have plenty of organic produce to steam up and puree, and plenty of of finger food options for your 16 month old. Try it out, but don't go on a weekend day - you'll never go back!!
Good luck,
Amy K
Try Trader Joes - it is close to you - Maple Grove. They have a very good selection of organic & all naturals. If you are ever in the area, Lakewinds in Minnetonka or Whole Foods by Lake Calhoun are excellent.
www.clnf.org for nonperishables.
Truck will deliver to your door for free with minimum $400 order. Lower prices than at Eastside Food Co-op. (Produce at that co-op is very good though no cheaper than elsewhere.)
www.AndersonFarm.us
VERY nice people. It's a pretty good deal if you can buy a 1/2 cow -- maybe split it with someone? Chicken there is more expensive than at a co-op.
Suggestion for next fall: buy organic turkeys in November for about $2-$2.50/lb.
A friend of mine bought a membership to the Wedge and said that she got that money back very quickly (a month or two) via profit sharing and member discounts
Fresh and Natural Foods is right off of Rockford Road and 169 in the little dead mall across from all the new stores by Cub. (Opposite side of Rockford, same side of 169) I am told they are not cheap, but it is right in your area.
