Top Organic Groceries in Clermont

I live in an area that is continually growing, in Clermont, Florida. About ten years ago, this area was populated by orange groves and other citrus. Now, the city is nothing but houses and you might find an occasional overgrown orange grove, no longer maintained. As you embark on a drive just outside of the city, there are many farmers that still maintain their orange groves or gardens, from small to large to hydroponics. Many of these farmers sell their produce either at small stands or at local farmers markets.

In this area, acquiring organic groceries is fairly simple. You can establish relationships with growers at local farmers markets which are regularly established in downtown areas of Clermont, Minneola, or you can drive about fifteen miles to another city's market. These markets are generally open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, depending on where you attend. The Minneola market is open on Friday's, Winter Garden on Saturdays and Clermont on Sunday's. Growers come to sell their shares enabling consumers to purchase their weekly produce needs.

There is another large farmers market about 20 miles from Clermont in Webster, where produce is often cheaper and the selection is larger. Some vendors that are established even accept food stamps.

Local cooperatives are available also for organic meats and produce. Co-ops are becoming more popular because the larger orders become for organic goods, the less costly it is for consumers, making cooperatives cheaper than purchasing organic produce from a grocery store.

Grocery stores often have small selections of organic produce, but unlike the benefits of cooperatives, you don't really know where this organic produce is coming from.

While there are several grocery store chains, such as Whole Foods that specialize in organic food selections, the closest to this area is about 20-30 miles away. Many individuals find purchasing specific staple items easier to get in regular trips, but distance does become a factor when most families purchase weekly groceries.

Larger wholesale stores, such as BJ's, Sam's club and Costco are all starting to carry organic products in their produce department as well as other staples, including rice, cereals, and other popular items.

Organic foods have always been more expensive than non-organically grown foods, however, as the economy struggles and food prices skyrocket, close to home growers and cooperatives are becoming great alternatives for organic shoppers without much of an inflated cost.