Organic! If you can afford to buy organic, do it. It is good for you and for the planet. But if you can't afford it, it is OK. I'd rather that you eat ANY fresh fruits and vegetables than none at all. How about a compromise? You'll need to remember the Dirty Dozen. They are twelve fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with large amounts of pesticides when grown commercially and should only be bought if they are organic. The list: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale, cherries, potatoes, and grapes (imported). There is also a Clean 15 list of fruits and vegetables that you don't have to worry about and don't need to be organic. On the subject of Organic, animal products should be as near to organic as possible. This will reduce the amount of antibiotics and growth hormones you ingest. Wild fish and game have the benefit of huge amounts of omega-3s from all the plankton and grass they eat. Two great places in Victoria to buy fish and meat are Finest At Sea and The Village Butcher in Oak Bay.
Local! What better way to get fresh fruits and vegetables and save the planet at the same time. Buy them locally. The 100 mile diet in Victoria is known as the Vancouver Island Diet. You can drive/bus/bike to the local farms or the farmers will come to the city as they do at the Moss Street Market that runs from May to October. Or if you are adventurous, you can grow your own like the Garden Girl. Get inspired by reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It made me realize the different food seasons and helped me to refine my menus by what was available in season.
I haven't even begun to harp on the over processed, over packaged food that North Americans eat! Next time.
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