The Dirty Dozen
You can buy local. You can buy organic. And you can buy seasonal. But what does each label mean? And—when it comes to your health and the health of your family—what should you really focus on?
Many seasonal summertime fruits and vegetables are also on a list called the Dirty Dozen. The Dirty Dozen is a list compiled by the Environmental Working Group. It includes 12 fruits and vegetables that have been tested to have the most pesticide residues.
The Dirty Dozen are:
- Apples
- Celery
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Grapes
- Hot peppers
- Nectarines, imported
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet bell peppers
The list has since been expanded to include kale, collard greens, and summer squash in the Dirty Dozen Plus.
Leona explains that when it comes to the Dirty Dozen, “You really want to emphasize organic fruits. This is the time to get them organic, they are available and the price is reasonable.”
And the best time to take advantage of farmer’s markets—which sell local, seasonal, and organic produce—is during the summer.
