1. Do some research.
You may have a lot more choices for organic food in your community than you realize. All it takes is a little research to find out. Organic associations and organizations in your state are good places to start. Just type the name of your state and the word "organic" into a search engine and see what pops up

2. Shop at farmers' markets.
Farmers' markets are great sources of fresh local produce. A just-picked tomato from a local farm tastes better than a tomato that's traveled thousands of miles before reaching a supermarket shelf.

3. Buy a share in a community-supported agriculture program.
When you buy a share in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, you pay a portion of a local farm's operating expenses. In return, you receive weekly boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables in the upcoming harvest

4. Join a co-op.
A food cooperative is a member-owned business that provides groceries and other products to its members at a discount. Many of the products lining the shelves of co-ops are organic and much of the produce comes from local family farms.

5. Join a buying club.
A buying club is a great way to get the organic food you want on the cheap. In a buying club, you may be able to get 30 percent to 40 percent off the retail price. Buying-club members purchase food and other organic products in bulk and then split the stash

6. Buy in bulk.
Whether you're shopping at a natural foods store, supermarket or co-op, buying in bulk is a great way to stretch your food dollar.

7. Buy big in-season.
The absolute best time to buy an organic fruit or vegetable is at the peak of its growing season

8. In the off-season, buy preserved foods.
When the weather turns, turn to preserved foods. In the winter, steer clear of high-priced, in-store produce and buy canned, frozen or dried organic fruits and vegetables instead.

9. Embrace the big freeze.
Your freezer is good for more than TV dinners and frozen pizzas. Just haggled a great deal on a whole bunch of organic fruits and vegetables? Freeze your luscious leftovers and pull them out as treats during the winter.

10. Shop sales and house brands.
Grab store discount fliers at every opportunity. When an organic food you like is marked down, stock up for less.

11. Clip coupons.
Snatch up all the coupons for organic food that you can find. Check store fliers, the Sunday newspaper and even the inside of food packages

12. Grow your own.
If you're really serious about garden-fresh organic produce, why not plant your own?

13. Shop online.
Can't find a local source for the organic food you want? Don't give up. Hop online. You may be able to order the organic foods that you want online

14. Mix and match.
There may be no single source for the organic foods you want at the prices you can afford. Be creative.

15. Be flexible.
To nab the best deals on organic foods you need to be a focused, yet flexible, shopper.

16. Rethink your food budget.
Free up more dollars for organic food by trimming the fat from your conventional food budget. Add up all the dollars you spend every month on food, including fast food meals, morning cups of coffee, bagels and even trips to vending machines. A small change in your eating habits could free up the money you need to buy the organic foods that you really want.

17. Ease into organic.
Begin the transition to organic eating with some of your favorite foods.