Those in the local food movement, or locavores, believe that buying food from local farms helps one's health, supports area businesses and promotes good habits: a win-win-win situation. I was on board until I went out to a farmers' market and hit a roadblock.

Money. Or rather, the lack of it.

I was so excited that I forgot a key fact: I'm a single, omnivorous graduate student who normally buys groceries at Wal-Mart. And while the local produce at most farmers' markets is the same price or cheaper than at supermarkets, the meat is far more expensive. I believe that good food is worth the higher prices, but after rent and student loans it's hard to finance a foodie habit.

So what's someone like me to do? Is this a movement one can join halfway? I called some local locavores and asked for four ways that someone with a limited budget can join the movement.

1. Choose one thing

Lee Zukor is the self-proclaimed instigator of the Minneapolis-based website "Simple, Good and Tasty." He's easing into the locavore movement, as well, and knows it can be a bit overwhelming. The best way to start, he said, is by choosing one thing and buying it local. "You could say, 'From now on, I'm only going to buy local eggs,' and let yourself go on the rest."

What matters, he said, is not how much local food you buy, but that you're thinking about the impact of buying local foods. Pick whatever's most important to you -- eggs, meat, dairy, produce-- and buy it from local farms. Then, even if it's a bit more expensive, it's easy to adjust the rest of your food budget around that product.

2. Eat seasonal foods, less meat

Shipping adds to costs, particularly for fruits and vegetables out of season. Jennette Turner, a natural foods educator, said eating seasonal foods is not only cheaper, but the food is also likely to be fresher. If you simply must have berries in the winter, she added, buy them in the summer and freeze them for a snowy day. You can also plant a garden. It's not as hard as you might think, Zukor said. For apartment-dwellers like me, he suggested starting with a planter and some tomato seeds. "It's the easiest, cheapest and best food," he said.

Cutting back on meat also trims your grocery budget -- a hard suggestion for a burger lover to swallow. Lucia Watson, owner of Lucia's Restaurant, suggested trying recipes that don't require much meat, but still have a meaty flavor. "You can stretch your meat by doing stir-fry or tacos," she said. And buying high-quality local meat, Turner pointed out, means even the "cheap cuts" are pretty good. (It's amazing what eight hours in a crock pot will do for a tougher cut of meat.)

3. Plan your meals

Tracy Singleton, owner of the Birchwood Cafe, recommended that aspiring locavores make more time for cooking to save money and prep the week's meals on a free night to save time.

Turner also advises her clients to plan their meals for the week before they shop. "There's less waste if you know what you're going to have," she said. Those who plan meals also have a better handle on what they can buy in bulk.

It's important to keep to your plan and stay away from the junk-food aisles. Nourishing foods might cost more, but they also fill you up faster. Think about how full you are after eating a potato as opposed to a serving or two of potato chips.

"Buy from the list and stick to the list," Turner said.

4. Get together

Finally, remember that everything is easier when you're not alone. The locavore movement celebrates community, so don't go it alone. Shop at farmers' markets with friends and family members. Split the cost of a community-supported agriculture (CSA) share. Organize a potluck dinner of local foods.

"There are ways to do natural foods on a budget," Turner said.

Just remember that joining the movement means committing to it. "You have to prioritize it," Turner said. "Yes, it costs more, but maybe you don't need another iPod. If you eat better, you'll feel better."