Saturday at Eastern Market: How to Shop & Eat Clean on a Budget

Generally we do our weekly shopping every Saturday at Eastern Market in the summer while local produce is bountiful!   Applying budgeting and awareness to the farm market trip is not unlike the way we choose to look at most areas of life.   First, a walk around the market to see who's got what and what prices are like.   By now, we have a good idea of which farmer stalls are local, who is growing 100% organic, who is growing "almost organic" (fertilized soil but organic sprays) and who the conventional supermarket re-sellers are. We know which farm to avoid; the ones who use a soy-based to feed for chickens, and the ones who have the highest prices on berries and greens!  After the walk-around, we get down to business; the whole process taking about 30 minutes.  Essentially, we've figured out our own personal "art" of farm market shopping and would encourage others to think more strategically about food too.  Without a bounty of good, fresh food in the house, it's MUCH easier to resort eating poorly.

So why the selection seen above?

We know we want/need 3 bunches of dark leafy greens every week - an essential part of our produce consumption - , mirepoix staples, a grill-able veggie (eggplant), tomatoes because they looked good and were cheap, some good "juicing" items (carrots, beets) and some gorgeous blueberries because they are almost gone for the season.  As far as protein, we chose eggs as they are a great, cheap source of protein ($2.25/doz) and a naturally raised chicken.

The list:  

Veggies

Chard (1 lg bunch)
Kale (1 lg bunch)
Broccoli (1 lg head)
Eggplant (1 lg)
Hot Peppers (1 quart)
Heirloom Purple Carrots (1 bunch)
Carrots (1 box)
Beets (2 lbs)
Ginger Gold Apples (1/2 peck)
Sweet Onions (3 large)
Blueberries (2 pints)
Amaranth (1 large bunch)
Heirloom tomatoes (4 very ripe large)

Protein:

3 dozen free range eggs
Whole chicken (6.25 lb)

Total cost $47.25  
((This will last a week for 2 people, including a few other staples in the pantry - beans, rice, etc.))

Metro Detroiters, if you could use some help coming up with your own strategy of eating clean (real, whole food diet) on a budget,  would like to learn some healthy snack recipes, food prep tips or do an entire "green" overhaul, check out our local business:
Green Dreams All-Natural Kitchen & Home Makeover