The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently reported that families should eat a
healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat
dairy products regardless of organic certification. Based on a number of
previously published research studies, the report suggested that there is no
conclusive evidence that organic foods are more nutritious than conventionally
grown foods.
However,
buying organic is beneficial. The
AAP report cited other studies that found that organic growers produce less
waste and use less energy than conventional farmers. Organic farms also do not use synthetic pesticides that are
harmful to the environment and people. Farm worker’s chronic exposure to
pesticides has been associated with cancer, depression, memory disorders,
respiratory problems, Parkinson’s disease, miscarriages and birth defects. The
AAP report states that an organic diet can reduce exposure to pesticides.
The
Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization dedicated to
protecting public and environmental health, recently published their findings
on pesticides in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Before testing,
they prepared the produce as it is typically eaten (e.g. they washed peppers or
peeled bananas). They analyzed 60,700 samples from 45 common fruits and
vegetables and listed the most and least contaminated.
The EWG
found that the most contaminated fruits and vegetables are: apples, celery,
sweet bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, imported nectarines, grapes,
spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, blueberries, potatoes, green beans and leafy
greens. The study found 88
different kinds of pesticides on sweet bell peppers, up to 15 on just one bell
pepper. 100 percent of imported
nectarines and 98 percent of apples tested contained pesticides. They also
found neurotoxic insecticides on bell peppers, imported nectarines, green
beans, collard greens and kale.
The fruits
and vegetables lowest in pesticides according to the EWG study are: onions,
sweet corn, pineapples, avocados, cabbages, sweet peas, asparagus, mangos,
eggplant, kiwi, domestic cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes. Of these, no single sample had more
than 5 different pesticides present.
Only 10 percent of pineapples, 22 percent of mangos and 25 percent of kiwis
tested positive for pesticides.
Although
pesticides harm farm workers and laboratory animals, it is not clear that
pesticides in the diet pose a health risk. As a result, the EWG and the AAP
agree that eating conventionally grown fruits and vegetables is far better for
your health than the consequences of avoiding them. Organic food typically costs between 10 and 40 percent more
than conventionally grown food, so buying organic can be cost prohibitive for
some families. However, a growing number of Pittsburgh markets are accessible
to low-income individuals.
The
East End Co-op offers a 10% discount for those using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits. The
Citipark farmers’ markets at seven locations in
Pittsburgh accepts SNAP and are open until November 21st. Farmers@Firehouse
farmers’ market in the Strip District also accepts SNAP, they are open on
Saturdays until November 17
th.
Clarion River Organics is offering a
25% discount to people paying with SNAP that want to sign up for their
community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
Mott Family Farm offers a 10%
discount to students with a student ID.
Buying
organic is good for the environment and may have health benefits by reducing
pesticide exposure, but it is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
no matter where they come from.
