Penny-pinching: How eat cheap and healthy

I try hard to eat vegan. If I do eat dairy or eggs, I make sure the animals are raised free range. I also peruse online newspapers daily, and CNN seems to be making a fuss about food prices going to way of gas prices. As a poor college student, I am used to scrounging for money to buy food. So if any of you are also trying to eat vegan, veggie or just plain healthy and eco-friendly here are a few recommendations:

Farmer's Markets:

These are easy to find in almost any city. Living in the midwest, one of the first things I do when I move to a new city is check out where the farmer's market meets. In Madison, WI it's easy because the farmer's market is in the middle of the city. Fresh produce is available here at inexpensive prices and since it comes from smaller farms the animal products are almost guaranteed free range. 

Here's my strategy for shopping there: either go really early or really late. The pro of going early is that you get to pick the best and freshest of the produce. The con is that the prices are steeper and haggling is more difficult. Not to mention that you have to wake up at 5 am. If you go late, farmers are very persuadable haggle-wise because they just want to pack up and drive home. (I presume to sleep since they must get up at 2, 3 am to start the drive down.)

Co-ops:

To find a co-op near you, listen to word of mouth and do some research online. I find being a member has quite a few benefits if you plan to shop there often, not the least of which includes lower prices. 

Trader Joe's:

These aren't everywhere in the US, but if you live on the coasts or the central midwest you may be in luck. Not only do they feature many ethnic foods, but it's also quite inexpensive. Another bonus is that you don't have to join some store club or coupon hunt, it's the lowest price they'll make it. One of my favorite features is the three dollar bottles of wine, known as 3 buck Chuck. 

I hope you find this article helpful!