Video: Whole Foods giving value tours to customers

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SEATTLE - More and more Americans are fighting the battle of the budget. A new survey commissioned by Whole Foods says 70 percent of us still try to buy organic and natural foods when possible, but sales at health food stores are dropping.

Whole Foods Market is trying to keep its value shoppers shopping by offering bargain tours of its stores. A "value guru" should be able to tell you when buying organic makes financial sense or when the bargain brand might be better. And they promise to tell you the best way to shop the sales.

When it comes to grocery shopping, many of us are putting prices under the microscope.

"I usually go for whatever they have that's their brand, 'cause it's cheaper," said Lauren Platt, shopper.

Whole Foods Market is taking the money saving trend to a new level. They're offering shoppers so-called value tours, showing them the best ways to save. Start by checking store brand items, they're usually cheaper than national brands.

"We have some wonderful local peaches and apples that have just come in so when you're buying seasonally in produce sections that usually helps to keep your costs low," said Milton Artis, Whole Foods.

When buying produce, it tends to be cheaper to tips for buying produce: buy in season, buy locally, compare boxed greens to bulk and remember. You'll pay for the convenience of those precut fruits and vegetables.

"It's cheaper to buy the whole chicken and if you don't need all of it, just go ahead and freeze what you don't need," said Artis.

When buying meat, buy in bulk or value sizes and become friends with your freezer. Tougher cuts of meat generally cost less. You'll just have to cook them longer. And buy the whole chicken. The butcher can cut it for you and you'll save in the long run.