We are privileged in Lane County to have a wide variety of farms, farm stands, and markets that supply us with fresh produce. In spring, summer, and fall, we have abundant local produce.
Most of our local farm suppliers grow organic produce, which is a great boon. The pesticides on the California strawberries and Washington apples that are NOT organic are problematic. You can only wash off a minimal amount of the chemicals on these and other produce, and only if you scrub the produce. Did you ever try to scrub a strawberry?
Several agencies offer a list of the dirty dozen foods—“dirty” for the pesticide residue found on them at market. Greens and fruits are consistently on the list. A recent report found that more than one-third of nonorganic (conventionally grown) fruit and vegetable samples tested positive for at least one of 31 pesticides considered PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”. The use of pesticides is largely cosmetic and designed to make our food prettier, according to Jennifer Lowry, chair to the Council on Environmental Health for American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid buying the pretty fruits out of season (e.g., strawberries and blueberries) and buy organic products when possible.
The EWG Dirty Dozen list: spinach, kale, collard and mustard greens, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes, blueberries; additional vegetables with high pesticide residue include green beans and bell and hot peppers.
The nonorganic fruits and vegetables found to have the least pesticide residue make the Clean Fifteen list: pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, onions, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, mangoes, bananas, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi.
By Brenda Kame’enui
