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There's a reason Organic produce now accounts for 15 percent (and growing!) of all fruit and vegetable sales in the U.S. Organic produce is clean-- grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or biotechnology (including GMO's). And "clean" is an important choice these days. Pesticide exposure in children is now linked to mental, neurological and developmental disorders, including higher instances of ADHD (Eskenazi, 2007; Petit, 2010; Bouchard, 2010; Xu, 2011). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) points to pesticide residues on food as the most frequent avenue for childhood exposure to pesticides and recommends families buy Organic produce whenever possible (but never to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables, regardless!)
Another benefit to buying Organic is the positive impact on the environment. Organic farming methods fight climate change by capturing carbon underground. These same farming methods build soils that are a vital living ecosystem... giving us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes.
Another benefit to buying Organic is the positive impact on the environment. Organic farming methods fight climate change by capturing carbon underground. These same farming methods build soils that are a vital living ecosystem... giving us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes.
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Start with the Dirty Dozen!
Every year, the non-partisan Environmental Working Group (EWG) tests tens of thousands of fruit and vegetable samples collected by the Agriculture Department and Food and Drug Administration for pesticide contamination. They then release "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists for the year. So... if you're not sure where to begin in transitioning to cleaner produce for your business or institution... start with the Dirty Dozen! |
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