When it comes to produce, there are a lot of different messages out there. Clean 15, Dirty Dozen, Shop Organic, Shop Local, Stay Away From GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). We may not be the expert on produce, but we can tell you what we’ve learned so far.
What do we do? We try to shop both organic and locally. We love going to farmers markets picking out the freshest seasonal produce and getting to know our local growers. “By shopping locally, you are purchasing goods produced in your local community. Conversely, when you shop at the grocery store, many of the food items you buy travel over 1500 miles to reach your plate. By cutting down on these miles, you are reducing the environmental impact of your food. Local food doesn’t create large carbon footprints through overseas plane travel or long truck trips. This cuts down on fuel consumption and air pollution. There isn’t a need for shipping facilities, packing facilities or refrigeration.” (Source GoGreen.org)
We know not everyone can shop locally or all organic. If that’s the case, at least stay away from the Dirty Dozen, the top 12 foods identified by the Environment Working Group (EWG) with the most pesticides. Per the EWG, “Buying organic versions of the dirty dozen helps you skip the toxic chemicals.” Below is the Dirty Dozen list from 2018:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
- ·Sweet Bell Peppers
Here are the 2018 Clean 15, these are the conventional, non-organic items that you can buy that have the lowest amount of pesticides:
- Avocados
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapples
- Cabbages
- Onions
- Sweet Peas Frozen
- Papayas
- Asparagus
- Mangoes
- Eggplants
- Honeydew Melons
- Kiwis
- Cantaloupes
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
Keep in mind that the Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 lists change from year to year, to make sure you have the latest information the EWG has many free resources including a Healthy Living app.
(Source ewg.org)
