Should I Buy Organic Produce?

When I use to hear the word “organic” I use to think premium.  In a way, organic is premium, and in my personal opinion, is the usually the better option, but it also depends on what you buy.  First, we need to look at the difference between organic and conventional (non-organic) produce. 

Conventional farming uses chemicals on their plants as a means for fertilizer and to kill off weeds and insects.  When I say chemicals, I mean, chemicals like glyphosate, such as that found in Round-Up. Glyphosate is toxic and harmful to humans and to the environment.  There is even a warning label on Round-Up that states that you should not use the product before it rains because the product can run off into water and be toxic for aquatic creatures.  Also, on the label they warm you that if you get it on your clothes that you need to wash off with water and call poison control or your doctor.  If a chemical is so toxic that we need to call poison control, then do we really want to eat food that is sprayed with this chemical? Organic farming, on the other hand, uses natural methods such as composting for fertilizer.  Organic farming may spray their plants, but the sprays are natural and safe for human consumption and organic farmers have to go through a strict certification process.  They must implement organic processes and methods every step of the way from seed to harvest.

Hopefully, this does not scare you, but help you to make more informed decisions for your health and for your family.  I grew up on conventional produce and that might have been fine back then.  But with how the world is, we have to reconsider what is best for us here and now.  We also don’t have to worry about buying everything organic because certain produce gets sprayed more than others. 

When considering if you need to buy organic produce or not, you should consult the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen Lists.  These two lists are put out every year by the EWG, Environmental Working Group, an organization that informs consumers of healthy and non-healthy products. The fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen lists are the most contaminated with pesticides and, therefore, where possible you should buy organic.  The Clean Fifteen are the least sprayed of all fruits and vegetables and therefore don’t necessarily need to be organic.  Of course, you can buy all organic to be sure, but it can be okay to buy conventional if it is on the Clean Fifteen List.

Dirty Dozen

1. Spinach

2. Strawberries

3. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens

4. Grapes

5. Peaches

6. Cherries

7. Nectarines

8. Pears

9. Apples

10. Blackberries

11. Blueberries

12. Potatoes

Clean Fifteen

1. Pineapple

2. Sweet Corn

3. Avocado

4. Papaya

5. Onions

6. Sweet Peas

7. Asparagus

8. Cabbage

9. Watermelon

10. Cauliflower

11. Bananas

12. Mangos

13. Carrots

14. Mushrooms

15. Kiwi

If you are buying at a local farm that doesn’t have organic farm status, you may ask them what types of pesticides or other chemicals they use on their produce.  Some local farms may use organic methods, but may not have the organic status.  Likewise, if you are a gardener and want to grow produce that is safer for your own or others consumption, you may want to look into more natural methods for maintaining your crops instead of using chemicals.  God has given us so many natural methods for growing food.  Let’s use what God has given us and protect our food and our health.