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10 February 2010
Posted in
3) Winds of Change
“Local or Organic?” It’s one of our favorite debates and a great one to engage in on the heels of New Year’s resolution making . It’s interesting just how attached people are on both sides of the food production/ consumption issue. While supporting our local food economy is essential for community prosperity and to guarantee strong food security, ensuring the food we eat is chemical-free and grown in a safe environment is also vital for our health and families. Perhaps the ultimate would be to eat food that is ‘organic’ AND ‘locally’ grown. We’ll let Bridget Oland, Environmentalist, weigh in with some of her thoughts on the food issue…
Balancing Local & Organic by Bridget Oland
When it comes to buying produce I often get asked what my preference is – local or organic. Buying local is definitely my preference but it doesn’t mean I always choose local over organic. Throughout the growing season it is easy enough to find local growers supplying organic produce so I get the best of both worlds. But when I don’t have local options that are also organic I’m choosey. Likewise, there are lots of items that I don’t bother to buy organic, even if I have a choice.
I know this sounds confusing so I’ll explain.
- Selective Shopping: Local VS Organic
- Pesticide Residue Guide
- “Clean 15”
- “Dirty Dozen”
- FoodNews.Org
Selective Shopping: Local VS Organic
In conventional farming today there are a lot of chemicals in play. There are petroleum-based fertilizers that contain heavy metals and there is a crazy array of pesticides that are used in various combinations to kill insects, plants and fungi, in order to grow “perfect” produce. All of these chemicals make their way to our tables in various amounts when we eat non-organic produce. Eating organic is a way to avoid them.
The selective shopping that I explained above is my way to limit the amount of chemicals that my family ingests. Here’s how I manage it without tying myself in knots at the grocery store.
Pesticide Residue Guide
I have a handy guide that helps me decide what to buy organic and what non-organic fruits and vegetables are okay to eat. It’s all based on the amount of pesticide residue commonly found on the produce (after it has been prepared the usual way). My guide lists the 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide residue and the 12 with the highest.
The lists are published by Environmental Working Group (EWG) an environmental research organization in the U.S. Their findings are based on an analysis of data gathered by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food & Drug Administration.
“Clean 15”
To help your food dollars go further you can feel comfortable consuming non-organic versions of these fruits and vegetables:
- Onions
- Avacado
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Asparagus
- Sweet peas
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Papaya
- Watermellon
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet potato
“Dirty Dozen”
These are the foods with the highest pesticide so you’ll want to buy organic. Or consider limiting your consumption of non-organic versions of these foods:
- Peach
- Apple
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Nectarine
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Imported grapes (outside of Canada & US)
- Carrots
- Pears
FoodNews.Org
The lists are a great tool to help you make good use of your food dollars and still eat well. Plus they provide some helpful guidance on when to buy local. To print out a tidy wallet guide visit www.foodnews.org. On that site you’ll also find a complete list of 47 fruits and vegetables tested and more info in the study methodology.
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