Eat Well - Green LA Girl’s Guide to Real Food in LA

In the famous words of Kermit the Frog, it isn’t easy being green, especially when it means watching your paycheck vanish to $6 organic lattes and $40 bottles of organic olive oil.  It seems ironic that living a more “natural” lifestyle should require a black AmEx, no…?  Luckily, Siel Ju -- environmental activist and writer of the much-loved blog Green LA Girl – has agreed to share her insider tips on how to help the planet and your wallet in one fell swoop.

BGG: How do you recommend finding fresh, organic produce at a reasonable price?
SJ: I highly recommend looking into community-supported agriculture programs. On my blog, I’ve compiled a list of great CSAs for Angelenos. 

The prices range a lot, but you can find incredible deals.  The South Central Farmer’s CSA is very affordable – it costs just $15 for a big box of produce. I use Farm Fresh, which costs about $30, but that price includes delivery to your doorstep and enough organic produce to last the average person two weeks.

BGG: What about farmers’ markets?  
SJ: Farmers’ markets can be great places to find affordable organic produce, but you have to be careful since certain markets and vendors are much pricier than others. Generally speaking, smaller markets have much better prices.  For instance, the Melrose Place Market is surprisingly cheaper than the big one in Hollywood. You can also get great deals at the LA Medical Center Farmers' Market (Wednesday afternoons on Hollywood Blvd. at Edgemont) and the LA Central Avenue Farmers’ Market (Thursday afternoons on Central Ave at 43rd St).

I recommend hitting the farmers’ markets shortly before they close, when you can generally find the best deals.  Some of the vendors may be trying to get rid of their remaining produce, so they’re more open to bargaining.

BGG: Any other tips for saving money on healthy, eco-friendly groceries?
SJ: Buy in bulk!  You can get insane deals at the bulk bins in health food stores.  I especially recommend buying grains and beans like this.  Not only is the price per pound much cheaper, but you’ll find yourself eating fewer processed foods which is, of course, great for your health, and you’re creating less waste for the environment because of the reduced amount of packaging.

BGG: What about restaurants or cafes?  It seems like you can’t even get an organic sandwich at most of these places for under $15. 
SJ: I love Fresh East in West Hollywood -- it’s super healthy and affordable.  If you’re a fan of raw food, I suggest trying Better Life Cuisine, which is delicious and much cheaper than most other “raw” restaurants. 

Look for more tips from Green LA Girl, coming soon to Broke Girl's Guide. 

photo by Heather Tanji.