How Does Your Produce Grow?

Pesticides.  They may help keep the bugs away but they are not something we want to be ingesting ourselves.  Inevitably though, pesticides find their way into the produce.  Even when we wash them it's not possible to completely get rid of pesticide residue.  That's one of the reasons why it's important to buy pesticide-free as often as possible. 

Want to read more about getting rid of pesticides?  The Get the Junk Out Carnival over at Kitchen Stewardship is covering the topic of pesticides this week!  Read all about how to "Get the Pesticides Out" on Katie's blog and then hop over to Heavenly Homemakers for details on growing a pesticide-free garden yourself.  Plus there's a giveaway for some organic gardening supplies!

Also - you might want to familiarize yourself with the updated Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce put out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for 2010.  I was intrigued to notice a few changes to the list from last year: 

New to the Dirty Dozen:  Blueberries, Spinach and Potatoes

Off the Dirty Dozen:  Lettuce, Carrots and Pears

New to the Clean 15:  Cantaloupe, Grapefruit and Honeydew Melon

Off the Clean 15:  Tomatoes, Broccoli and Papaya

Now this doesn't mean you should immediately change your shopping habits.  The list changes a bit with each new year of data and just because something is OFF the Dirty Dozen doesn't mean it is pesticide free.  In fact, if you look at the full list of the 49 fruits and veggies tested, lettuce is the 13th worst item and carrots are the 15th. 

How do you manage pesticides in your diet?  Do you use the Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 lists?  Do you have a pesticide-free home garden?  Do you purchase a CSA? 

I tend to focus on the fruits & veggies that I buy most often and buy those organic almost all the time - like apples and carrots (yes, even though carrots are off the dirty dozen!)  As for the rest, I buy organic as often as possible but if I have to grab something conventional I don't sweat it too much. 

In the summer, we have a small home garden where we experiment with different things and get the kids involved.  My husband just built me a new raised bed for Mother's Day!!  And we also just joined a new CSA.  It's called Common Harvest and it's based in Osceola, WI.  I'm super excited to be part of this CSA that has been around for 20 years!!  And of course, I'll hit the farmer's markets now and then when I need to supplement.  Clearly, it's much easier to eat pesticide-free in the summer than in the winter, at least here in Minnesota.

{image from RaeA's photostream on Flickr}

Comments

[Sarah Jacquart]

I purchased a CSA share this year for the first time. It's called Westridge Produce and it's based in Blue River, WI - near Madison. I also LOVE to utilize the Dane County Farmers Market and will continue to supplement my CSA share from there. I agree, in Wisconsin it's much easier to eat organic during the summer than during the winter!

[hope smiths]

SOund like you are busy!!
Love this time of year!!

[MicheleP]

This is our third year getting a CSA bag from Tiny's in Wenatchee. And almost all other produce purchased is organic. So I don't use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Choice lists. We are really lucky to have a lot of choice!

My yard is really shady, so I only grow a few vegetables in some containers. No pesticides on the veggies or the rest of the garden! I happily display my "Pesticide Free Zone" ladybug sign on my gate. I got it when I joined the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticide.

[Lori Alper Groovy Green Livin]

I belong to a CSA in the Boston area. I love it because it is offered year round. During the cold months they distribute all sorts of delicious fruits and veggies from CSA's around the country.

Thanks for the updates from EWG. I try to buy as much as possible organic-but if something is conventional-I agree-don't sweat it.

[graceonline]

We are fortunate to have farmers markets year round here in San Francisco, so I can be choosy and buy only organic. It wasn't always so. When we lived in a colder clime, we bought organic when we could and avoided what we knew to be worst offenders. Back then, there wasn't a list yet. When eating out, we try to eat at restaurants that use organic ingredients, as they say, "whenever possible," though that is a lot trickier, so we watch the dirty dozen (and beyond) and avoid those fruits and vegetables.

You make an important point about items 13 and on down the list. Just because it's not in the top 12 doesn't mean it may not carry enough pesticides to be harmful, especially to a pregnant or nursing mom and to children.

Love your lettuce. Gorgeous and healthy.

[Dr. Josh Axe]

It seems like everyone is coming out with their perspective on which fruits/veggies to buy organic. I like your approach of knowing which ones you purchase the most and making sure you buy the organic version!