Re: Unidentified subject!

Lorraine -

I preface this by saying that by your post, it is clear that you are careful 
about the use of chemicals on your products.  However, it is a fact that 
pesiticide residues do sometimes remain on the produce, which is then 
ingested by the consumer.  

I read a report the other day from the Atlantic Monthly (June 1999)
"The peach season begins in most parts of the country in June, but consumers 
might think twice about biting into the fruit:  U.S. peaches contain more 
residues of pesticides than any other domestic or imported fruits or 
vegetables tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Although the toxins 
in U.S. peaches are within legal limits, they are potentially unhealthy to 
children: by eating a single unpeeled U.S. peach a child can ingest more 
pesticide residue than is deemed to be safe per day.  Domestic produce in 
general is more contaminated than imported produce (other offenders include 
unpeeled apples and pears, spinach and winter squash), news that has spurred 
consumer groups to push for more-stringent regulations." 

I've read similar reports from time to time in other journals and newspapers 
as well.  As long as there are commercial growers selling produce like this, 
there is a need for further discussion and a change in farming methods (by 
the growers who are putting out produce like this).

In regards to your comment about home gardeners - yes, a lot of people do 
dump way too many chemicals on their lawns.  I hope you didn't bring that up 
to suggest that because there are worse offenders on the environment, we 
should just leave commercial growers alone.  As with anything - some people 
are very careful and conscientious, and others are not.  This applies both to 
home gardeners and commercial growers.

As for myself - I am happy to pay a little bit extra to purchase organic 
produce to both support the commercial growers using a method I believe in 
and to ensure that the food I put on the table doesn't contain pesticide 
residues.

Karen Grzesiak
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