Organic farmers are in crisis. After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to convert their conventional farms to organic in the past few years, they are now faced with the shrinking organic market and a mountain of debt. The middle class are looking for ways to cut expenses as they deal with job loss or job insecurity, and forgoing organic products has been an easy way to save a few dollars.
Organic dairy farms are perhaps the worst off. After a steady increase in organic milk consumption from 2005-2008, this year was a disaster and farmers have been advised to cut production for 2010 by twenty percent. In Vermont, 37 organic dairy farms have closed in the past year. They simply could not sell enough to make ends meet.
A recent British study by the FSA (Food Standards Agency) has contributed significantly to the organic decline [1]. The study, based on 50 years of research, declared that organic food is “no healthier” than conventional food and after its release the sales of organic produce worldwide plummeted. Unfortunately the humane treatment of animals and the possible dangers of pesticides were not addressed in the study, two of the major factors that influence consumers of organic goods.
I generally buy some foods organic, but to me it is much more important to buy local and eat foods that are in season where you live. For example, when summer ends I no longer eat corn, berries, or tomatoes until next summer because I do not want to eat food that has been shipped to me from hundreds or thousands of miles away. I miss them, but it gives me something to look forward to.
The 12 most contaminated foods are the ones that I always buy organic (and the USDA recommends that you do so as well). They are:
Nectarines: 97 % of conventional nectarines contain pesticides.
Celery: 95 % of conventional celery contains pesticides.
Pears: 94 % of conventional pears contain pesticides.
Peaches: 94 % of conventional peaches contain pesticides.
Apples: 91 % of conventional apples contain pesticides.
Cherries: 91 % of conventional cherries contain pesticides.
Strawberries: 90 % of conventional strawberries contain pesticides.
Grapes: 86 % of conventional grapes contain pesticides.
Spinach: 83 % of conventional spinach contains pesticides.
Potatoes: 80 % of conventional potatoes contain pesticides.
Bell Peppers: 68 % of conventional bell peppers contain pesticides.
Raspberries: 60 % of conventional raspberries contain pesticides.
Conversely, there are quite a few foods that, when grown conventionally, rarely contain harmful additives. Therefore, these are the 12 foods that I do not find necessary to buy organic:
Broccoli
Asparagus
Avocado
Mangoes
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas
Cauliflower
Corn
Kiwi
Bananas
The best way to support your local farmers is to shop at farmers markets, even in the winter months when their offerings are less abundant. Many farmers sell meat and winter produce year round.
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Jessica Alfreds [4]
Latest posts by Jessica Alfreds (Posts [6])
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