Okay, I admit it, I've got it pretty easy. Living in Chicago, I often take it for granted the amazing access I have to buy primarily organic and sustainable groceries and produce. I have incredible farmers markets (maybe not so much yet, since we do have quite the winters in this fair and windy city as you certainly know), several Whole Foods Markets, a handful of Trader Joe's grocery stores, not to mention many neighborhood organic food coops, including one a whole block away from my house. We may pay a little more for our food, but I seldom have to worry about pesticides or cruel animal treatment or preservatives. Traveling outside of this comfortable zone, I find myself having to think a little more about the food I am buying and where it comes from (not a bad thing to do even when we are shopping at Whole Foods, as I almost bought some lamb all the way from New Zealand the other day!).
When I don't have the luxury of choosing organic or local options for our produce, specifically, it is helpful to remind myself of the "dirty dozen" fruits and vegetables that are the worst in terms of pesticides. The Environmental Working Group has published this list for our collective reference, which I will repost now; however, you can find a wallet copy of this here.
12 Most Contaminated
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
12 Least Contaminated
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (Frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (Frozen)
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya
This is an invaluable list in choosing the right food, and it can be reassuring to know that there are safer options when buying organic is not possible. The bigger hurdle comes when trying to buy seasonally or locally. Mangos and avocados are certainly not indigenous to Illinois, no matter the season, so my insane consumption of guacamole truly challenges this part of the equation. And I suppose moving to California or Mexico to ease these contradictions is not in the cards right now.
We have some close friends who are from New York City, originally, and despite of (or maybe because of) having grown up in environment that is as urban as it gets have committed themselves to living as sustainably as possible. They recycle; they compost; they garden; they shop for meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruits almost exclusively from local farmers; they can and freeze for the winter (no, they do not buy even a tomato from the market when it is not in season or cannot be obtained locally); they drink raw milk; they drink apple cider in season and freeze it for later; they rarely eat out and prefer to cook at home. Living in Chicago, this is a pretty daunting challenge, and yet, with the exception of buying bananas, the odd mango, and avocados (see!) every once in a while, they really are an inspiration. I don't think I am quite there yet, but I do value these goals and try to think about them when I shop. Do I really need that fruit from Chile; do I really need that lamb from New Zealand? Perhaps there are options closer to home that will do. Well, except for that avocado there. I just know it is calling my name.