When is organic really worth it? To be green and buy organic is a lifestyle choice that is made considering health, the bigger picture (affect on the world), and cost. Two of these are positive, one is not so much… Organic foods typically cost more, this is a fact. How do you know when the health effect, and world affect, is worth the extra cost?

What does organic mean? Simply put, growers do not use pesticides or chemicals on plants, flowers, or fruits—natural alternatives are used instead. Organic foods are better for your health because they do not subject you to harsh chemicals, but for some foods this matters little, as they do not absorb chemicals as readily as others. The affect of pesticides on plants is not the same to all plants. The following is a list of the most commonly contaminated produce, which can be used as guide when evaluating the cost of buying organic, these should be at the top of your list for your organic budget.

-Apples

-Bell peppers

-Celery

-Cherries

-Imported grapes

-Nectarines

-Peaches

-Pears

-Potatoes

-Red raspberries

-Spinach

-Strawberries

Before you buy a product, inspect it. Things to look for: where the product came from, what its packaging is, etc. Compare these to other products and choose the one you think is most green given the information before you.

Simple things that can be a sign is wood verses plastic, wood is better because it last longer and does not contain the same chemicals plastic does. Look for the recycling symbol somewhere on the product either for the product itself or the packaging.

You don’t always need to buy green, but you should buy green when it really matters. Buying green and organic also sends an example to non eco- friendly competitors that this is what the consumers want.