Local and seasonal organic shopping is more expensive than supermarket shopping? Let’s see:
I am often told that organic, local and seasonal shopping is too expensive and only suitable for rich people (‘for radical chic rich fixates’, this was said to me more than once).
I almost never go into supermarkets. It may happen that I buy organic cans of legumes or cans of organic peeled tomatoes.
For vegetables I use two small local organic businesses. They are both family-run businesses.
I wanted to do a little personal research and these are the results:
I photographed the prices on February 6, 2025 at the local Conad supermarket.
As you can see, the prices vary from three to five euros per kilo. These are not organic vegetables, the producing companies and their locations are unknown. Some types even come from Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Africa. Planes, cargo ships, trucks and vans that move.
These below are the prices of organic, local and seasonal vegetables from one of the small local producers I have always relied on:
These are all vegetables that grow behind this stall and all of them cost three euros a kilo.
Now, take for example the radicchio both long and round: this costs €3 per kilo. The non-organic and non-local round one from Conad costs €4.98 per kilo. The long one from Conad costs €5.98 per kilo. Double. Surprise?
Carrefour bagged salad costs between €9 and €10 per kilo.
Only you don’t notice. Take a bag and spend €1.98.
Maybe you’re thinking: “but it’s convenient! Already washed.” The truth is that you pay 10 times more, that it is of poor quality and that washing the salad takes a moment (look at the one in the photos of the organic producer: does it seem difficult to wash?). Furthermore, it is washed with water and chlorine causing damage to the environment, it contains pesticides and fertilizers, it is additional packaging and is preserved in nitrogen.
Organic producers are required to have certifications and are subject to checks. I also trust them because, unlike vegetables in supermarkets, this one has a flavor. You can taste the quality. In any case, I prefer to make the small local economy go around rather than that of large foreign multinationals.
Another important consideration is that when you enter a supermarket you rarely leave with only the products you needed. So, if you had saved on something, you would have spent on other things. It’s all studied. Everything has to capture your attention. Everything is artfully arranged, lights, noises, shelves, colors, height… Everything studied.
I often notice people’s shopping: snacks, sweets, fizzy drinks, ‘fruit’ juices full of sugar, semi-processed or ultra-processed products, biscuits, meat from intensive farms… These products are not food. Hospitals are overflowing with patients with diseases caused by excesses and deficiencies.
All these products are made inviting by big words like offer, promotion, sales, discount… You noticed the reality in these photos.
Supermarkets manipulate people, they produce a mountain of packaging that you pay for, they are standardization and a vertical drop in quality.
Supermarkets manipulate people, they produce a mountain of packaging that you pay for, they are standardization and a vertical drop in quality.
I hope this article was helpful. Let me know in the comments about your experience!
