The Big O

The USDA has put out a "dirty dozen" list of foods that retain too high levels of pesticides:

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Kale
10. Cherries
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes

The list of the safest foods includes:
1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon

I feel that if you can afford it you should also aim to have organic beef, dairy, and chicken. However, I see no reason to spend extra on seafood--there really is not any such thing as organic seafood. Companies that label it as such are simply misleading you.

Organic does cost more at the grocery store. There is a reason The Husband calls Whole Foods Whole Paycheck. But it typically costs less to BUY LOCAL and SUPPORT FAMILY FARMS. Sure, you can shop somewhere like Whole Foods, which is just a corporate grocery store. Or you can go out to your local farmers market and talk with the people actually growing the food about their operation and techniques.

Another money saver can be Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This system allows you to pay a local farmer for a share of his or her crops. Usually there is a drop-off spot where you pick up your share each week. Some CSAs even include fresh flowers, coffee and meats. For more information on this in Pennsylvania check out http://www.buylocalpa.org/. Slow Food Pittsburgh also has some great information on CSAs at http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/csa.html.