Why Buy Organic?

Organic vs. Non-Organic

To buy organic or not to buy organic is a question many of us ask ourselves. In these financial times it is sometimes hard to justify the higher cost of buying organic to ourselves. The following is a list of items that are found to have higher pesticide levels and are healthier to buy organic and also a list of items you can get away with skipping their organic versions if you are on a tight budget.

When you SHOULD buy organic:

1. Celery


2. Peaches


3. Strawberries


4. Apples


5. Blueberries


6. Nectarines


7. Bell peppers


8. Spinach, kale & collard greens


9. Cherries


10. Potatoes


11. Grapes


12. Leafy greens

13. Carrots

14. Pears

15. Meat

16. Milk

17. Coffee

When you can SKIP it:


1. Onions


2. Avocados

3. Sweet corn

4. Pineapples


5. Mangoes


6. Sweet peas


7. Asparagus


8. Kiwi fruit


9. Cabbage


10. Eggplant


11. Papaya


12. Watermelon


13. Sweet potatoes


14. Broccoli

Why Buy Organic?

Although selectively choosing which products you buy organically saves money, doing so also misses an important point: buying organic is about more than keeping pesticides out of our bodies. It is about supporting a system of sustainable agricultural management that promotes soil health and fertility which nourish plants, foster species diversity, helps combat climate change, prevent damage to valuable water resources, and protects farmers and farmers’ families from exposure to harmful chemicals. In this sense, buying organic is a commitment to the bigger, more complex picture of which our personal health is a part.

In thinking about which organic products to buy, consider this: instead of focusing your organic purchases on a particular category of items, choose organic versions of the products you buy most. Whether that is milk, produce, or personal care products, buying organic will not only help reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides and fertilizers, but also support a system of agricultural management that is great for the planet.

So simply in my opinion if you can afford to go organic, DO, it’s worth it.