Availability of Organic Groceries in South Orange County? (San Diego, Irvine: how much, refrigerator)

[VeronikaW]

I grew up in Irvine, and was living in San Diego in 2007 when we decided to move to the Seattle area for my husband's job. I was just starting to care about organic food.

We're moving back to Orange County next month (probably Aliso Viejo), and I'm just wondering what the availability of organic food is. I don't honestly remember seeing a lot of it in CA grocery stores. I don't want to have to shop at Whole Paycheck. Up here all the grocery stores have pretty extensive Organic/Natural food aisles (including separate aisles of frozen and refrigerator foods).

Is it going to be hard to find reasonably priced organic groceries in Orange County?

Thanks!

V. =)

[bhcompy]

There is a Henry's in Costa Mesa and most regular grocery stores carry a decent amount of organic groceries(or at least produce).

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

There is a Henry's in Costa Mesa and most regular grocery stores carry a decent amount of organic groceries(or at least produce).

Cool thanks. We pretty much do as much organic as possible (dairy, meat, produce), and it's pretty easy up here. I'm just hoping it's not a pain and super expensive back in CA.

[BRinSM]

trader joe's usually has organic selections for most of their items (for a premium of course). you could also go check out your local farmer's market, i'm sure they have them down in OC.

[Wurzig]

Aliso has a new Trader Joe's....near the movie theaters....(across the street, by Lowe's)...
And there is a Henry's on La Paz in Laguna Niguel.....
There is a good farmer's market in San Juan.....downtown.....on Wednesday afternoons, I think....
And I think there is a farmer's market in the parking lot (near Henry's) on the weekends......a.m......
Dana Point has a nice weekend farmer's market on PCH......(fairly close to the intersectin of Golden Lantern)......in a parking lot that has a restaurant and a few shops.....I think the main restaurant is Hennessey's, but not sure.....
In San Juan, on Del Obispo, there is Farm to Market......it might not be the prettiest but a lot of it is locally grown......

[Wurzig]

I think the closest Mother's is near John Wayne Airport......but not inexpensive......

All Ralph's grocery stores usually have a small organic area in the fruit and vegetable departments..... Aliso has one and there is a nice, big one on the corner of La Paz and Aliso Creek

(fyi: practically everything in Aliso is on a road called Aliso Creek Road.....it's the main drag)...

[VeronikaW]

Thanks so much for the info!

[bhcompy]

I know it's not organic, but Ralphs has milk from non-rbst treated cows as their standard store brand(at least the skim milk). Considering how much the cost of milk has been growing lately(a gallon of organic milk runs over 6$ and halfgallons over 4$), it is a respectable alternative

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

I grew up in Irvine, and was living in San Diego in 2007 when we decided to move to the Seattle area for my husband's job. I was just starting to care about organic food.

We're moving back to Orange County next month (probably Aliso Viejo), and I'm just wondering what the availability of organic food is. I don't honestly remember seeing a lot of it in CA grocery stores. I don't want to have to shop at Whole Paycheck. Up here all the grocery stores have pretty extensive Organic/Natural food aisles (including separate aisles of frozen and refrigerator foods).

Is it going to be hard to find reasonably priced organic groceries in Orange County?

Thanks!

V. =)

Organic groceries have become much more mainstream in the years since you left OC so you'll find more of them at traditional supermarkets like ralph's & vons. Many Albertsons have a "Wild Harvest" section ( I think that was the name ) that have alot of packaged organic foods. And most stores offer organic produce. There's always Mothers for hard core organic/ natural foods. Trader Joes has many organic offerings. There is also a relatively new organic/ natural chain from PHX called Sprouts that has several locations in OC. Not sure if any are in AV though.

Welcome back!

[coo77]

There is a Mother's MUCH closer than John Wayne Airport in Laguna Woods. It is at the corner of Paseo de Valencia and El Toro Road right near Saddleback Hospital and the Laguna Hills Mall.

Also, no need to go to Costa Mesa for Henry's. There is one five minutes away on the Aliso Viejo/Laguna Niguel Border. Just go to the intersection of Pacific Park and La Paz Rd.