When to Buy Organic

With the release of a new study last week linking ADHD and pesticide consumption, we wanted to talk about buying organic. At Friday night’s nutrition event, natural chef Bhavani Jaroff brought along a handout from the Environmental Working Group at www.FoodNews.org detailing when you really need to buy organic and when it is less important. Here are the details:

SHOPPERS GUIDE TO PESTICIDES

Dirty Dozen

Buy These Organic

1. Celery (worst)

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Bell Peppers

8. Spinach

9. Kale

10. Cherries

11. Potatoes

12. Grapes (imported)

Clean 15

Lowest in Pesticides

1. Onions (best)

2. Avocado

3. Sweet Corn

4. Pineapple

5. Mangoes

6. Sweet Peas

7. Asparagus

8. Kiwi

9. Cabbage

10. Eggplant

11. Cantaloupe

12. Watermelon

13. Grapefruit

14. Sweet Potato

15. Honeydew Melon

The handout continued, “The data used to create these lists is based on produce tested as it is typically eaten (meaning washed, rinsed or peeled, depending on the type of produce). “ The data came from 96,000 USDA and FDA tests for pesticide residues between 2000 and 2008.

There are lots of reasons to buy local and organic whenever you can, but I thought this list was really helpful when you need to make choices. At the corner near my house, the non-organic blueberries were on sale 3 for $5 this morning and at one point I would have bought them but my kids eat a lot of blueberries and the pesticides can really add up.

It’s not too late to start your own garden as a budget conscious-alternative!

Sara