Organic Shopping

Reasons to do it:

• limiting the travel from production to plate
• protecting yourself from nasty chemicals
• supporting local farmers who follow sustainable farming methods
• investing in the local community rather than factory farmers

How do  you know?

• 100 percent organic- made with 100 percent organic ingredients
• Organic- made with 95 percent organic ingredients
• Made with organic ingredients- made with a minimal of 70 percent organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the other 30 percent.
• And yes you can taste a difference!

Finding a farmer's market near you:

• www.localharvest.org
• www.farmersmarket.com
• www.eatwellguide.org
• www.localfarmmarkets.com

"The Dirty Dozen" These are the most toxic and really should be bought organic
     For updates go to www.ewg.org
     In order, starting with the worst:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Grapes (imported)
• Pears
• Carrots

The Clean Fifteen:
     These are not perfect, but it is ok to buy these without that "shiny organic sticker"

• asparagus
• avocado
• broccoli
• cabbage
• kiwi
• mango
• onion
• papaya
• pineapple
• sweet (shelling) peas
• sweet corn
• watermelon
• tomato
• eggplant
• sweet potato

Some things to consider-

• Buy in season, depending on where you live these things may not have traveled that far
• Make the switch for the Dirty Dozen
• Talk to someone working in the produce department. They may know where the produce came from and if it's in season
• Buy in bulk if your entertaining or have the room to freeze things, you will save money
• Stick to your grocery list, that you should make from the weekly specials, don't buy those caramel apples that seem to be calling your name
• Comparison shop- some grocers have their own organic brands, if the price looks ridiculous, go to the corner produce stand or farmer's market.
• Clip organic coupons

Check www.sustainabletable.org for produce that is in season in your area