Why Select Vegetables From a Local Grower?
As more consumers become aware of the health benefits of consuming organic foods, questions about whether or not pesticides are needed in agriculture have also risen. The typical American eats upwards of a pound of pesticide residue per person each year. Pesticides are used on many crops, including those used on apples, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and corn. These high levels of pesticides that are used on our food supply are found to be carcinogenic in nature, and are ranked as the number one environmental concern for Americans.
Many people would beg to differ, arguing that no pesticides should ever reach our food. They would point out that such high levels of chemicals aren’t necessary, as there are natural substances that are pesticides resistant. The real problem lies in the fact that these substances are present in our environment. And while they may be present, it’s unlikely that we’re ingesting them in significant quantities. Yet they serve as constant reminders to us of how these chemicals affect us.
Organic foods are grown without any pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals whatsoever. This means that the pesticides and other substances used are present in very small amounts. This is why organic foods are considered to be better for you than traditional, non-organic foods. Studies have shown that people who eat organic foods often have fewer instances of chronic illnesses, such as cancer.
The dirty dozen: as some have labelled the nine most dangerous pesticides in the world, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is required by law to list them. They are, in order, on sale at all publicly held agriculture production facilities. In addition to organically grown fruits and vegetables, these pesticides are also found on strawberries, broccoli, cantaloupes, spinach, and even rice.
According to Bruce B. Bass, author of Gardens of Erosion, pesticides have been used on American fruits and vegetables since before the first Thanksgiving. “Plants have been sprayed with a variety of substances to control weeds, insects, and other pests,” he states. One of the most common chemicals found on American produce is the insecticide Ethoxyquin, which is used on tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, spinach, and watermelons. Another popularly used chemical is Chlorpyrifos, which is used on cucumbers, squash, melons, watermelons, and onions. According to the Washington Post, the FDA has “diverted” funds from studies into the health effects of long-term exposure to these pesticides, saying they were not yet sure if they are as dangerous as the tobacco industry has portrayed them.
Some fruits and vegetables do not have any pesticides on them, but consumers should always buy organic products whenever possible. If one is buying fruits and vegetables in bulk, one can buy organic fruits and vegetables at a reduced price. In fact, some experts have suggested that a dollar spent on organic products is less expensive than a dollar spent on fruits and vegetables bought at their standard grocery store. Many organic food retailers and farmer’s markets also offer organic produce at discounts. These products can be purchased online as well.
Pests like aphids, black fly larvae, cabbage worms, and earwigs, can also infest plants with pesticides. As much as possible, it is best to keep an eye out for these pests when buying sassos. Sassos are usually containers used to hold fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat and seafood and shipped to stores or restaurants to be sold to customers. While sassos can be purchased from local grocery stores, they are more expensive because of the time and effort it takes to grow them in the field.
There are more exotic pests and diseases to worry about in the world today. Organic foods, grown without pesticides, are much safer for consumption. However, synthetic pesticides have been shown to have some benefits for certain species of pests and certain foods. Studies have shown that synthetic pesticides can reduce the development time of spinach, broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers. While this benefit is a great one, organic foods do not provide any protection against bugs, fungi, and other insects.