Natural, Organic, and Alternative
According to Wikipedia, "Organic foods ... are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. Livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified."
Stonyfield Farm's website has a great page about Organic including the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in produce. The Shopper's guide lists the 12 most pesticide-contaminated fresh produce and the 12 least contaminated. Potatoes are on the worst list. I heard on a public radio talk show that potato farmers will not even walk in their fields because of the high levels of pesticides. Check out the guide, there is even a wallet card that you can print out. If you want to get even more info about pesticides in other produce, you can go to www.foodnews.org for a complete listing.
And the freshest, least expensive produce can be grown in your own back yard, or in large pots on your deck. Me and my four and six-year-old are having a blast this year, planting seeds, watching them grow, and picking the veggies.
