Not Buying Organic? 15 Choices To Consider 12 To Avoid

Let's face it. Not everyone has access to organic foods or may be restricted due to budget. Buying all organic 100% of the time may not be the most sustainable choice if your resources aren't there to support your decisions. Whatever the reason, there are options when choosing conventional produce. Thanks to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) team of professionals, we have a list of "clean" veggies and a list to avoid. The EWG even made a wallet sized guide and an IPhone App to download to your phone to help you when you are out shopping.


The Clean Team: These are examples of conventional produce with the least amount of pesticide residue.

• Broccoli
• Cabbages
• Avocado
• Papaya
• Mango
• Frozen Sweet Corn
• Frozen Sweet Peas 
• Pineapples
• Onions
• Kiwi
• Asparagus
• Bananas
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon
• Sweet Potatoes

A Dirty Bunch: These are examples of items that soak up the most pesticides. Buy organic when possible for the following items.

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (Imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

***For extra sugar, find a CSA in your area! 

• Finding these items in your area is just a click away. Search for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in your area to learn how to get these items and others. I prefer the Local Harvest website to find farms in any area. You simply enter your zip code or state and a list is generated. 
• I also found a local Bay Area organic CSA that delivers to your door. It is called Farm Fresh To You. They have 6,000 families participating in their farm and are one of many options to get organic products from local farmers.