Reduce Your Pesticide Intake from Food

by Sydney Boogaard, SLCgreen intern

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to barbecue and picnic. Which means delicious fruits and veggies. Because let’s be honest, no picnic is complete without a scrumptious apple or pear. Unfortunately, our tasty produce is also a common source of consuming harmful chemicals from pesticide residue.

Fruits and vegetables that are grown conventionally are often exposed to many pesticides before they are shipped to our local grocery stores.

Luckily there are effective and natural alternatives to reduce the amount of chemicals we ingest. Join our #PesticideFreeSLC campaign and pledge to keep our bodies, yards, and ecosystems healthy, happy, and safe by going pesticide free!

How to Limit Your Exposure

You can limit your exposure to pesticides by opting to purchase organically grown produce. Not only does this limit your intake of unsafe chemicals but it supports growers who are striving to better or environment and health.

A great alternative to buying certified organic produce is shopping at your local farmers markets. At these markets you can speak directly with the farmer or someone involved in the crop production.

If organic produce is not a feasible option you can still reduce your pesticide intake. Just make sure to thoroughly wash all your produce.

• The most natural way to clean your fruits and veggies is to simply use water and white vinegar.
• Fill a bowel with water and add a cup of white vinegar and allow the fruits and vegetables to soak.
• Another method is to fill a spray bottle with two cups of water and three tablespoons of white vinegar and spray/scrub your produce.

There are twelve fruits and vegetables that have earned the nickname the “Dirty Dozen” which have tested higher for pesticide residue. Aim to buy these items at your local farmers’ markets, certified organic, or wash twice.

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Nectarines
4. Apples
5. Peaches
6. Pears
7. Cherries
8. Grapes
9. Celery
10. Tomatoes
11. Sweet Bell Peppers
12. Potatoes

Pledge to be Pesticide Free 

Here at SLCgreen we hope these tips on reducing your pesticide intake will help create a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.

During this year’s growing season we will continue to post tips and tricks on how to reduce decrease or exposure to harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

We hope you will take the pledge and make a commitment to our health, environment, and ecosystems.

You will also get an attractive yard sign as a symbol of your commitment.  We expect it will also serve as an inspiration to others in your neighborhood to ask and learn more– and hopefully make their own Pesticide Free pledge.

We’ve compiled a guide with helpful to guidelines help you take the pledge with confidence!

Spread the word! Share this post on social media and use the hashtag #PesticideFreeSLC .

Talk to your friends and neighbors about how and why they can phase out pesticides!