Every once in awhile, somebody asks me why I buy organic. I’ve heard every excuse from “it’s more expensive”, to “does it really matter, I’ve never bought organic before.” It is definitely a personal choice, but it is one that I made for my family. It is also why I plan to grow our own fruits and veggies eventually. If it can grow in Missouri, it’s going to.
The biggest reason to buy organic is to avoid putting the pesticides in your body. They are harmful and if you are eating them regularly, you are risking your health and consuming a large amount of over 20 different pesticides per day. That’s scary.
These 12 fruits and veggies are known as the Dirty Dozen and are the produce that should always be purchased organic. If you notice, most of them have no skin, or a very thin skin, which is why they are so easily contaminated. They are listed in order from most to least contaminated.
1. Peaches
2. Strawberries
3. Apples
4. Spinach
5. Nectarines
6. Celery
7. Pears
8. Cherries
9. Potatoes
10. Sweet Bell Peppers
11. Raspberries
12. Imported Grapes
So are you buying organic? And if you aren’t… why not?
We try and buy organic when we can, but finding it around here is hard. We have a road side stand but it is expensive. I might have to think about growing it too.