5. A peach is as safe as a pear.
Pesticide residue is a popular reason to shop organic, and cost is a popular reason not to. When deciding whether to splurge or save, check out the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to organics. Their list ranks the pesticide load of 43 common fruits and vegetables. Among the worst offenders: peaches, apples, and sweet bell peppers. The "cleanest" produce? Onions and avocados.
The EWG suggests that buying organic for the 12 worst fruits and vegetables will reduce your pesticide intake by up to 90%. The list is helpful, but here's a simple rule of thumb: You're less likely to ingest pesticides from foods with an inedible shell or skin.
6. If you buy organic, it's local.
Increased demand for organics has led major retailers, like Whole Foods and Wal-Mart, to source their products from overseas. Organic milk from New Zealand, asparagus from Argentina and soybeans from China on the shelves means a larger selection and cheaper prices for consumers, but there are tradeoffs. Which leads us to Myth #7...
7. Organics are better for global warming.
Are organic strawberries from halfway around the world better or worse for global warming than conventional produce grown down the road? Due to different methods for packaging, shipping, and even shopping for food, the answer is more complicated than you'd think.
For in-season food picked at the peak of freshness that supports local farmers (all good things!) locally grown produce is still a good choice. Luckily, you'll find plenty of organic and local options at Seattle's farmers markets.
8. If it says organic, it's healthy.
If only it was that easy! Processed foods, saturated fats, and excess calories are still bad for you--whether or not they bear an organic seal. (That said, we still indulge in the occasional Mighty-O organic donut...)
9. If it says natural, it's organic.
Another common mistake! Natural refers to the product itself, meaning it doesn't include artificial ingredients and is minimally processed. It doesn't explain how the ingredients were raised or farmed.
Organic refers to a set of farming practices. The two terms are not interchangeable. Neither should organic be confused with hormone-free or free-range.
10. Organic = Sustainable
Getting complicated isn't it? Organic refers to a system of agriculture that focuses on non-synthetic inputs (no chemical pesticides, no GMOs, etc.). The goal of organic farming is an environmentally and socially sustainable food system. However, not everyone is convinced it's succeeding.
Some argue that there should be greater emphasis on local production, others on stricter national standards, and still others on a vegetarian diet. But there are good signs that organic farming is a move in the right direction. It has been shown to support more diverse ecosystems, decrease pesticide runoff into lakes and rivers, and reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and consumers.
As for tasting better? Well, that's your call.
For the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide, click here. |
