Lloyd Craft Farms Fresh Produce, Locally Grown

Wow!  thanks folks for the rapid responses on the question regarding Organic or Non-Organic–really appreciate it!  You have made my job a lot easier–Here’s my game plan:

I reviewed the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15-  These are lists posted by the Environmental Working Group based on their studies of the levels of pesticides in the fruits and veggies that we eat.  (I’ll be moving this information to the Fruit Share tab on http://www.lloydcraftfarms.com for future reference.) 

They recommend that those items listed on the Dirty Dozen (plus 2) should be bought organic:  Apples, Strawberries, Grapes, Celery, Peaches, Spinach, Bell Peppers, Nectarines (imported), Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas (imported), and Potatoes.  Hot Peppers and Blueberries (domestic) may contain organophosphate insecticides which EWG considers ‘highly toxic’.   (Aren’t you glad Lloyd Craft Farms raises celery, spinach, peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes!)

The following foods, considered the Clean 15, had the lowest pesticide load:  Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Cabbage, Sweet Peas (frozen), Onions, Asparagus, Mangoes, Papayas, Kiwi, Eggplant, Grapefruits, Cantaloupe (domestic), Cauliflower, Sweet Potatoes.  (Hooray for us!–We have Sweet Corn, Cabbage, Onions, Eggplant, Cantaloupe (very domestic), Cauliflower, and Sweet Potatoes–)

Note that the Clean 15 does not mean they are pesticide free, but that their levels of pesticide contamination were lower.  At Lloyd Craft Farms we use pesticides that are OMRI approved for organic certification–and we try to use them in moderation.  For that reason you may get vegetables with some scar damage from thrips or worms–damage that is cosmetic and does not degrade the value of the veggie.  My biggest concern is aphids because an infestation can render the vegetables unappetizing, and green worms that can wipe out a head of lettuce before you even know they are there.  (Ask my kids about Cream of Broccoli soup…that moved!) 

So there you have it!  thanks for the input–  The Farmer’s Wife