Within the past 12 hours, I’ve heard 2 reports about a shocking report by Stanford, saying that organic food is no better than conventional produce.  More specifically, that organic foods offer no more vitamins and nutrients than conventional products.

No crap, friends. Let’s picture 2 plants, side by side. One’s treated with pesticides, one isn’t. The one without pesticides shouldn’t miraculously produce more nutrients (in theory), right?  It’s a little frustrating to see headlines of “Organic isn’t healthier!“, which misses the point.

Instead, organic produce is better because you’re eliminating pesticides and  chemicals from your body. Pesticides have been linked to brain & nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone disruption and skin, eye & lung irritation (among others!) Gross stuff.

But don’t fret about your wallet – you don’t need to buy EVERYTHING organic (even though CSAs are a good bang for your buck). Here’s the dirty dozen (according to the EWG) of what you should be buying organic:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Imported nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries (domestic)
12. Potatoes
13. (Green beans/kale – added onto their list because of their highly toxic organophosophate insecticides).

Readers, what do you think of these reports? What do you buy organic?

Photo: Go Raw Have Fun

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher