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Fresh Picked
Organic Produce Packs a Nutritious Punch
By Donna Smith
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "there are critical periods in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual's biological system operates." Hemmelgarn says infants, children and pregnant women are considered "high risk" when it comes to exposure to residues and toxins in general.
The jury is still out regarding whether or not organic produce is more nutritious than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, Hemmelgarn says. "However, the benefits to the environment are clear," she says.
To ensure the best produce, let the seasons do the meal planning. "Ever eat a peach in February?" Hemmelgarn says. "There's no comparison to a locally grown peach that you eat the same day it was picked in July. Some would argue (myself included) that the wait for locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, makes them taste all the better. You know, absence makes the heart grow fonder!"
Taste isn't the only reason to buy in-season produce. "Locally produced, seasonal foods require less shipping – that means less reliance on fuel, and less need to apply fungicides to prevent spoilage during the long haul," Hemmelgarn says. "Think about supporting your state's local economy as well. Buying directly from small family farmers helps support the very fabric of our country and beauty of our landscape."