I’ll admit, before I had kids the term “organic” mostly went right over my head, and I couldn’t fathom spending what seemed like double my budget to put pesticide-free versions of groceries in my cart. But over the past two years, my youngest child has developed digestive issues and food allergies that have forced our family to take a closer look at the quality of food we’re consuming.
Children, in particular, can be especially vulnerable to toxins and it’s unclear if repeated exposure to pesticides can have long-term effects on a person’s health.
According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C., eating the 12 most-contaminated fruits and vegetables exposes a person to about 15 pesticides on average a day. Eating the 12 least-contaminated exposes a person to fewer than two pesticides a day. (See sidebar for the “Dirty Dozen” list of produce.)
At first, my husband and I were shocked by the hike in our grocery bill, but over time, we’ve found ways to get creative and prioritize our organic purchases so we can feel good about our food choices, while still staying within our budget.
Here’s a breakdown of the terminology surrounding organic foods and the best places to find healthful foods in the Charlotte area.
What is Organic, Exactly?
Organic farmers use renewable resources and growing methods that conserve soil and water, according to the National Organic Program of the United States Department of Agriculture. Crops are produced without the use of conventional chemical pesticides, and animals raised on organic farms for meat, eggs and dairy products eat organic feed, have access to pastures and are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. By law, companies are not allowed to use the term “organic” on their products unless a USDA-approved agent has certified the operation organic. Shoppers often get confused by the term “natural” as opposed to “organic,” but there is a big difference. A “natural” product usually is free of artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, while “organic” refers to the way a food has been grown and processed.
“The term ‘natural’ is unregulated and essentially meaningless,” says Dr. Lynne Eldridge, a family practitioner, mother of four and co-author of “Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time: Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer” (Beaver’s Pond Press, 2006).
Cutting Corners Where it Counts
For Huntersville mom Rebecca McAloon, purchasing organic foods for her family has become a way of life. She became a more dedicated and diligent shopper after her son was diagnosed with wheat and dairy allergies.
“There are so many toxins and pollutants we can’t control,” she says. “I want to do everything I can to keep my family healthy that I do have control of.”
McAloon, who purchases a lot of her produce through the local delivery service Absolute Organics, plans her family’s meals based on what type of seasonal organic produce she receives.
“I try to focus seasonally,” says McAloon, who tends to buy organic meat, dairy, produce and soy. “Things are a lot less expensive in the summer than when they’ve traveled from Chile or halfway around the world.”
Her favorite places to shop for healthful selections are Earth Fare, the Healthy Home Market and SuperTarget, which she says has a decent sampling of produce, boxed goods and organic seafood. She scans the “Healthy Clippings” coupons in stores where offered and uses the coupons whenever she gets the opportunity.
Leanne Ely, a mom of two in Wesley Chapel and author of the “Saving Dinner” series (Ballantine Books) also agrees local is better. She’s a big fan of the Matthews Community Farmers Market, which is open year round and is home to many local farmers with organic offerings that Ely says often are offered at below-market prices. She also recommends parents looking for other area farmers markets visit www.localharvest.org for the nearest local farms offering organic food selections — Poplar Ridge Farm in Union County is an example.
Ely, who also is a certified nutrition consultant, says when she’s not stockpiling items from the local farmers market, she shops mostly at Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s for the best selections and prices. She follows the “Dirty Dozen” list for produce and also purchases organic meat and dairy products.
Prioritizing Your Purchases
Depending on the preferences and eating habits of your family, you’ll want to prioritize what you buy organic so you aren’t spending money unnecessarily. For my family, I place the most emphasis on produce and dairy, because that’s what we consume the most. It may seem like a coincidence, but my son had repeated sinus infections as a toddler until we switched to organic milk, which is produced free of rBST, a growth hormone that often is given to cows to help them produce more milk. We are slowly working our way toward discovering what meat selections we can upgrade.
Eldridge, who now speaks internationally on cancer prevention and nutrition, chooses organic meats first, produce, second and dairy, third.
“I only prepare hormone-free beef for my children,” she says. “We are assured that the hormone levels in the body after eating ‘regular’ beef are no higher than 1 percent of a child’s naturally circulating hormone levels. I have found nothing that can describe what a safe level would be.”
Store-Brand Organics
The next time you head out to do your grocery shopping, pay close attention to store-brand, or “generic” items you see on the shelves, and you may be surprised at how many organic selections you can find for less. We always make sure to stop at the organic produce kiosk in SuperTarget at every visit, and we often find bags of fruit at a fraction of what we would pay at other stores. (If your kids are anything like mine, they eat fruit faster than we can stock it.)
We save money on dairy products, too, by purchasing store-brand organic versions. Charlotte now has three different Trader Joe’s stores, which boast store-brand organic selections and products free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, MSG, trans fats and genetically modified ingredients. My new favorite place to do one-stop shopping in a pinch, however, is Food Lion’s boutique store, Bloom. The store has an abundance of organic produce, dairy, meats and packaged goods, where I can save a bundle on my selections, especially if I remember to bring my coupons.
The Charlotte area is fortunate to have a variety of stores, farmers markets and delivery services that recognize the growing desire of parents who want to offer more healthful foods to their children. In fact, Health magazine recently included Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s, Food Lion (and Bloom) and SuperTarget in their top 10 list of “America’s Healthiest Grocery Stores.”
If you’ve wanted to upgrade your shopping basket but have been fearful of the cost, fear no more. Map the best course of action for your family, explore the options, keep an eye out for helpful coupons and most of all, have fun.
Dirty (Buy these organic whenever possible)
Apples
Peaches
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Imported grapes
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
Green (OK to buy non-organic)
Asparagus
Avocado
Bananas
Clean Cabbage
Broccoli
Kiwi
Mango
Onions
Papaya
Pineapple
Go to www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php to download a pocket-size version of the above list to carry with you while shopping.
The Organic Lunchbox
Are you looking to organize your child’s lunchbox with a little more organic? Here are some easy ways to make the switch:
• Pack organic celery sticks and pack it with natural nut butter like Adams Organic Peanut Butter in a small container.
• Include bite-size organic fruits, such as grapes, strawberries and apples (treat apples with citrus to prevent browning).
• Choose nitrate-free deli meats (Applegate Farms Deli Meats have several varieties) that haven’t been treated with antibiotics.
• Substitute organic versions of sliced and string cheese, such as Horizon Organic mozzarella and cheddar.
• Choose cookies and crackers like Annie’s Bunny Grahams that are made with whole-wheat flour and sweetened with evaporated cane juice.
• Include organic milk or juice, such as R.W. Knudsen’s Organic Sensible Sippers, for beverage choices
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