Organic Fruit and Vegetables

Why It's Worth It: 

Extensive pesticide residue testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has found that conventionally produced fruits and vegetables are three to more than four times more likely on average to contain residues than organic produce, eight to 11 times more likely to contain multiple pesticide residues, and contain residues at levels three to ten times higher than corresponding residues in organic samples.  

Research demonstrates that substituting organic fresh fruits and vegetables for conventional ones can reduce children's exposure to organophosphate pesticides, the consumption of which has been associated with various physiological disorders.

What to look for:

• Look for the USDA organic seal.
  
• Look for a 5-digit PLU code beginning with the number "9." For example, an organic banana would be 94011.

Full of Flavor:
Variety is the name of the game when it comes to organic fruits and vegetables. You can find utility apples and potatoes to meet your day-to-day needs, or you can seek out your favorite heirloom tomatoes and swiss chard for a special occasion. If you can imagine it, you can find it in organic!

Read the latest study on organic strawberries, which shows they are healthier, tastier, and better for the soil than conventional strawberries.

Learn why organic tomato juice is more nutritious than its conventional counterpart.

*Photo courtesy of Grimmway Farms