to buy or not to buy organic fruit & veg....

We're pretty lucky because there's an organic fruit and vegetable farm just down the road from us - although I must say we don't go as often as we should; this is mainly because the long lane to the farm is so full of pot holes that there's always the risk that we'll lose the car exhaust or maybe the oil sump on the journey. 

But it is worth the effort because the guy is so passionate about organic farming that we want to support him and most of his produce is pretty good.  And cheap. 

We do, however, avoid the wine he makes due to its worrying tendency to explode.

Another reason we don't go to his farm so often now is because we make our organic purchases according to the list of fruit and veg published annually by the EWG in the USA.  The list shows the fruit and veg in the US that are most contaminated by pesticides after normal preparation ( that includes peeling as well as washing). 

The top 12 on the list are known as the "dirty dozen", headed this year by, believe it or not, apples.  The bottom and best fruit and veg are known as the "clean 15".

So, it's sensible to buy or grow organic versions of items that are high up on the list.  Or go without.  But, in these thrifty times, we buy non-organic if it's low down on the list.  I know that it may not be the same in Europe as in the US but it's a good general guide.  And in this way we can afford to eat more healthily.

So, in 2012, we have grown tomatoes, bell peppers and (far too much!) celery.  We have plum and fig trees and hazelnuts too.  Our local supermarkets sell reasonably priced organic carrots, apples, and spinach.  The only things we failed miserably on this year are lettuce and cucumber which we buy from the local market - we must grow some next year....

And if anyone wants some organic celery, just let me know....

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