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Why Eat Organic?

The amount of allowable pesticide residue is established by the US Department of Agriculture and based on adult body size. Pesticide levels are set based on each individual chemical. Little is known about the dangers when multiple chemicals are used on one crop. This often happens in growing, as more than one chemical is used as a pesticide, or a fertilizer. Later more chemicals can be added as "food ingredients".

For children, the consequences can be very severe. Research shows that one million children under the age of 5 consume insecticides above the "safe" adult dose. Many cases of disease such as Attention Deficit Disorder and food allergies may be linked to exceeding the "toxic load" of small bodies. Cancer rates of brain tumors in children are rising and may be linked to pesticide residues, not only from food sources. Scientifically, children's taste buds are more perceptive than adults'. Anecdotally, some parents have found that kids eat more vegetables when they switch to organic. Maybe it's because the children could discern the chemicals before or maybe organic tastes better, so kids enjoy the foods more.

Reprinted below is The Center for Science in the Public Interest list of the 12 most heavily pesticided fruits and vegetables. Strawberries remain the worst offenders. 

Washing produce is important, whether organic or not. Some people mistakenly believe that if produce is grown without traditional chemicals, it is not necessary to wash it before eating. Organic produce needs to be washed at least as carefully as non-organic. I wash my produce in a dilute solution of produce wash with grapefruit seed extract or dish detergent (one teaspoon detergent for one gallon water). I usually fill the sink with cool, dilute soapy water and let it soak for several minutes. Then I rinse it well with cool water and use a vegetable brush when necessary. Studies show that washing (and peeling, when appropriate) removes 30-100% of detectable residues. Of course, it does nothing for chemicals that become part of the cells of the plant during growing.

Everyone who buys organic has their own reasons. For me, one important incentive is the food tastes better. It takes me back to the days when a tomato tasted like a tomato, not a plastic flavorless sphere. I can enjoy a salad where the subtle individual flavors and textures remain distinguishable. To me that's reward enough.