The fastest growing organic product on the market is milk. Families across America are saying no to growth hormones and GMOs in their milk. The change is expensive but the cost difference is proving less important than compromising one’s health to eat a bowl of cereal. The organic produce industry is not seeing the same rapid growth as the milk industry. The reason cited is the cost. In today’s trouble economic times that is to be expected. One cannot always afford the added cost of purchasing organic foods. More people are seeking answers to purchasing organic at an affordable price as information about pesticides and GMOs are becoming more available. Weeds used to be killed by spraying weeds not produce. Now GMOs added to crops to make them resistant to pesticides gives farmers the option of spraying the entire crop without destroying the produce. The problem is the produce is not contaminated with the pesticides and the GMOs. Still, the next problem is affording to eat all organic. What if you must choose? Here is a list of produce you can purchase conventionally with minimal pesticide exposure and a list of items highly recommended you purchase organic due to high pesticide content. Keep in mind thin skinned or porous fruits or vegetables will have a higher amount of pesticide contamination. Also keep in mind that many have allergic reactions to pesticides.
Produce to Purchase Organically
Apples
Celery
Strawberries (especially toxic, avoid non-organic at all times)
Peaches
Spinach
Nectarines (imported)
Grapes (imported)
Sweet bell peppers
Potatoes
Blueberries (domestic)
Lettuce
Kale/collard greens
Produce you Can Purchase Conventionally
Broccoli
Eggplant
Cabbage
Banana
Kiwi
Asparagus
Frozen Sweet peas
Mango
Pineapples
Frozen sweet corn (Keep in mind that almost all corn and soy products contain GMOs.)
Avocados
Onions
Once you tackle your produce the next step needs to be your meat consumption. Non-organic meat contains a higher pesticide concentration than the produce listed as above in Produce to Purchase Organically. (Resource: Dr. Mercola, August 2008)