Like to buy organic, but hate the higher prices? Chris Olsen shows you how to stretch your organic dollar to get the most for you --- and the planet.
In the grocery store, many people are pulled two ways. Organic fruits and vegetables are good for you and the environment, so we want to buy them. But the cost is a deterrent. Consumer Reports has some advice on how best to spend your money.
"Almost any fruits or vegetables grown organically have environmental benefit. They use less pesticide, less chemicals, but if you can't buy everything organic, there are ways to prioritize," said Urvashi Rangan of Consumer Reports.
Your dollars will generally have the biggest health impact with softer-skinned fruit like berries, grapes and cherries and some things you're unlikely to peel including peaches and pears.
For things you might eat a lot of, like celery, carrots and apples, buying organic is also a good choice.
"Lettuce and kale are other good organic picks, since some greens grown conventionally can be more contaminated with chemical residue," Rangan said.
For health reasons, there's less need to buy organic versions of produce with skins or outer leaves you don't eat --like bananas, pineapple and onions.
However, when you buy organic, you are also improving the health of the workers in the field and the environment.
So while your personal health is not affected you are affecting the health of others.
And whether you buy organic or not, it's important to wash any produce really well even if it's in a bag marked "pre-washed" or "triple-washed" because bacteria has been found.
"You don't need a special wash, but think about using a brush, especially on hearty vegetables, like potatoes or carrots," Rangan said.
Another way to stretch your organic dollars is to buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season, when prices are lowest.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.
