The question always comes up…”Is it worth it to buy organic?”  My answer is “how could it not be?”  Pesticide use has been linked to various cancers, birth defects, learning disabilities and more.  In addition to this, thousands of people visit the hospital every year due to pesticide poisoning.

The goal of using these chemicals is to kill off insects and preserve the crop.  With enough repetitive exposure it’s no too far stretched to think that they could be killing us too!

While some organic produce can be more expensive than it’s same conventional counterpart I encourage you to think of the long-term cost savings you provide you and your family by purchasing organic produce.  Proactive health care is far less expensive than hospital bills, doctor visits, and disease management.

While in an ideal world we’d be provided everything organically, this is not always the case.  Take time to review the list below provided by the Environmental Working Group. The “Dirty Dozen” contain the highest concentration of pesticides.  These are “non-negotiable” foods that should only be purchased organically.  The clean fifteen group contain the least amount of pesticides and can be purchased conventionally when organic is not an option.

DIRTY DOZEN                CLEAN FIFTEEN
•Strawberries                 •Sweet Corn
•Spinach                          •Avocados
•Nectarines                     •Pineapple
•Apples                            •Cabbage
•Peaches                          •Onions
•Pears                              •Sweet peas, frozen
•Cherries                         •Papaya
•Grapes                           •Asparagus
•Celery                             •Mangoes
•Tomatoes                      •Eggplant
•Sweet Bell Peppers     •Honeydew melon
•Potatoes                        •Kiwi
•Cantaloupe
•Cauliflower
•Grapefruit

It is always best to buy produce locally.  This is an easier task in the spring and summer months with farmer’s markets but we also have great options year round.  Check into CSA’s and door-to-door organic delivery services.  They provide local produce and create ease with consistent delivery or pick-up options.

I’ve attached a couple of links for your use.  The first link provides a good overview of pesticide information.  The second link is to one of my favorite non-profit organizations, The Environmental Working Group (EWG).  You can explore their website to find information on various toxins and feel empowered to make the best decisions for you and your family.

http://www.nrdc.org/health/pesticides/
http://www.ewg.org