Organic Produce

One of the questions I'm asked a lot is about produce. Especially organic.  I feel like I save so much on hygiene, household and other groceries that I can afford to buy the "best" produce --when it isn't available from my garden.  I read the following on The Krazy Coupon Lady and thought I would share. 

• Pesticide Residue: To lower you & your family’s exposure to pesticide residue, eat conventional (non-organic) produce with the lowest pesticide residues (“The Clean 15″) and consider organic for those that traditionally have the most pesticides (“The Dirty Dozen”), as reported by the Environmental Working Group.

The Clean 15 (lowest residue amounts)

1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

The Dirty Dozen (consider purchasing organic)

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/ collard greens

• Rinse it! When buying conventional produce, make sure to thoroughly rinse your purchases under running water to reduce pesticide residue deposits.
• Farmer’s Markets: While shopping this summer and fall at farmer markets and roadside produce tents, keep an eye out for organic options, often at a fraction of the supermarket cost.
• Local Farms: Check out nearby farms/orchards that grow their own organic produce. Often you can pick the fruit yourself at a great discount price (plus it’s a fun family activity!).
• Set a budget: Establish a price limit at which you are comfortable paying for organic foods, whether it’s $1.50 or $1.99/ lb. or under, or less than twice the cost of conventional. This will depend on your area’s organic availability and your family budget.

If you can’t afford organic right now, that’s okay! When all is said and done, the health benefits of eating fresh produce outweigh possible risks.


THANKS KRAZY COUPON LADIES