Shopping Organic
Our world’s ever-growing demand for food and natural resources calls for more responsible production practices. Organic agriculture is one approach toward more sustainable use of natural resources. We can identify organic products through the USDA-certified organic seal, which guarantees a product meets specific federal requirements. For example, organic farming limits the use of synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetically modified seeds.
So, what do these requirements mean to the everyday shopper?
Pesticides in Produce
Pesticides used in agriculture are detected in fresh produce purchased from grocery stores. Some of these pesticides are toxic and have the potential to disrupt our endocrine system, nervous system, and even cause cancer. While certain pesticide residues are monitored and determined to be below concentration levels associated with health risks, buying organic can help minimize overall exposure. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) identifies the “Dirty Dozen” annually to bring awareness to the crops associated with the highest pesticide residue--in which buying organic may be most beneficial. EWG also identifies the “Clean Fifteen” as crops with the lowest amount of pesticide residue--where pesticide exposure is low even for conventional (non-organic) produce.
Using the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists can help you decide when it’s best to pay more for organic--or save with non-organic--fruits and vegetables.
Environmental Working Group’s 2021 List
Dirty Dozen:
Strawberries, Spinach, Kale, collard, mustard greens, Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, Bell and hot peppers, Celery, Tomatoes
Clean Fifteen:
Avocados, Sweet corn, Pineapple, Onions, Papaya, Sweet peas (frozen), Eggplant, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kiwi, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Honeydew melon, Cantaloupes
At Pay-Less, you can find organic options for various fruits and vegetables that are part of the “Dirty Dozen”--even beyond the Produce department.
Produce Department:
Tanimura Celery Hearts, Fresh Express Organic Baby Spinach, Earthbound Organic Baby Spinach
Grocery Department:
Wild Harvest Organic Ketchup, Wild Harvest Organic Diced Tomatoes, Wild Harvest Organic Diced Peaches and Pears and Wild Harvest Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches
Freeze and Chill Department:
Wild Harvest Dark Sweet Cherries,Wild Harvest Organic Strawberries, and Earthbound Organic Kale