New “dirty dozen” produce list

The annual “dirty dozen” list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues is out from the Environmental Working Group, a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization that protects the public health and environment.

What tops the list this year? Apples. They were number four last year on the group’s list.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat apples. But it means you need to be weary of them if they are conventionally grown using pesticides. The group ranks produce based on food contamination data compiled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

?The rest of the dirty dozen (in order): celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines (imported), grapes (imported), sweet bell peppers, potatoes, blueberries (domestic), lettuce and kale/collard greens. Cherries dropped off the list this year and lettuce came on.

?This is added incentive to buy these fruits and vegetables at local farmer’s markets or from local farmers, so you can ask about pesticide use. Many use organic practices, which involve growing without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

?But many conventional farmers use pesticides to protect against insects, bacteria and rodents. Washing and peeling the produce lowers pesticide residues, but not completely.

?The environmental group’s “clean fifteen” list includes the fruits and veggies with the lowest levels of pesticides. It says there’s less need to buy organic versions of these products.

?The clean list, in order, includes: Onions, sweet corn, pineapples, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangos, eggplants, cantaloupe (domestic), kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and mushrooms.

?The environmental group says if consumers choose their daily recommended five servings of vegetables and fruit from the least contaminated list, rather than the dirty dozen list, they could reduce the amount of pesticides ingested by 92 percent. But I’d have a hard time giving up blueberries, sweet peppers, grapes, lettuce and strawberries. Time to buy local or wash produce well.

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'Dirty Dozen' produce debate continues

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says, "Make half your plate fruits and vegetables," in its latest dietary guidelines, but a just-published list of the 12 most pesticide-laden produce could confuse those deciding what is both healthful and safe to eat.

Topping the "Dirty Dozen" for 2011 are apples, celery and strawberries. Data for the list came from produce sampled between 2000 and 2009 from both domestic and imported sources and from around the country. Though the amounts of pesticides are well below established limits, analysts with the Environmental Working Group, who compiled the list, say they're too high.

"It only means the pesticide levels are within legal limits. It does not mean they are safe," Sara Sciammacco, of the Environmental Working Group, said, citing recent studies linking childhood pesticide exposure to problems with brain development, lower IQ and increasing incidence of ADHD.

But Holly Herrington, a registered dietitian at Northwestern University, urges caution in interpreting the studies, and said, "So far, there is not a lot of research to support these findings."

A study published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed Journal of Toxicology, using the same USDA data from 2004 to 2008, said scientists found the levels of pesticides in 90 percent of cases from the 2010 Dirty Dozen were at least 1,000 times lower than the chronic reference dose — the concentration of a chemical a person could be exposed to on a daily basis throughout life before risking harm.

A person would need to eat "so much (of the produce on the Dirty Dozen) you can't even imagine," said Dr. Marion Nestle, author and professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University.

Still, for those trying to limit their exposure to pesticides, the Environmental Working Group recommends choosing organic produce whenever possible.

But Herrington points out that organic does not necessarily mean pesticide-free. The USDA allows pesticide use on organic crops, though "the pesticides in organic agriculture are mostly natural, meaning they are found in nature and less toxic," Nestle said.

Here are some questions and answers from experts on pesticide exposure:

Q: Will washing remove pesticides?

A: The Dirty Dozen list came from produce that was washed for 10 seconds under cold water. "The USDA always recommends people wash their fruits and vegetables," said spokesman Michael T. Jarvis. Herrington said washing produce can remove "some but not all of the pesticides."

Q: Should produce be peeled to eliminate pesticides? Will this reduce the nutritional value?

A: "If the amount of pesticide is so small that it can barely be measured, it really doesn't matter much," said Nestle. "If people are concerned, they should scrub the apple or peel it."

Herrington said no nutrition is lost in peeling an apple. "The inner part of the apple is still very healthy for you," she said. "You can throw away the outer leaves of a leafy vegetable and wash it."

Q: Should families give up the worst produce?

A: "No.?The amounts of pesticides are usually small and people who eat fruits and vegetables, with or without pesticides, are healthier than those who do not," Nestle said.

"If the choice is between a bag of potato chips and a conventional apple, we advise consumers to go with the apple every time. The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure," said Sciammacco.

Herrington said: "Americans are just not getting enough fruits and vegetables. Eating four to five servings of conventional produce with pesticides is still better than not (eating any) at all."

xcxkapril@tribune.com

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Woolies accepts return of `bad' produce

SUPERMARKET giant Woolworths has fired another shot in the supermarket competition wars with a campaign to weed out bad apples in store.

From today, consumers can return fresh fruit and vegetables to Woolworths store, without a receipt, and they will be offered a refund or product exchange with no questions asked.

“We are actively encouaraging any customer who is not completely happy with the quality or freshness of their Woolworths fruit and vegetables to return them to us,’’ Greg Foran, director of Woolworths Supermarkets, said.

A company spokesman said the move follows a year of consumer evaluation about the company’s fresh fruit and vegetables as well as a revamp of its distribution and supply chain.

Consumers unhappy with produce from a store are already protected by the Australian Competition and Consumer Act and can demand a replacement or a refund, however, this usually requires some proof of purchase.

Coles said that the Woolworths offer was just playing catchup.

"We would always offer customers a replacement product or, if they prefer, a refund. They would not need a receipt," a Coles spokesman said.

"This is part of our 100 percent satisfied promise and applies to fresh produce just the same as any other Coles brand product," the spokesman said.

"We've been doing it for some time so it's nothing new about what Woolworths have announced. They are simply catching up."

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Local farm offers opportunity to own a portion of this year’s produce

 Eliminating the middleman ensures fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs at a fair price

SUSSEX COUNTY ? David Zelov and Danielle Szepi have joined forces to do what they do best: grow vegetables.

Together, they own and operate The Kittatinny Mountain Farm. Zeloy grew up in rural NJ, Szepi in rural Wisconsin and they both have an extensive organic farming background.

They will produce over 200 varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs, specializing in heirloom and unique crops.

This Community Supported Agriculture Farm is located on Route 23 just south of High Point State Park at 1339 Route 23 in Wantage, NJ.

It is a place worth visiting. There are rich farmland, forests, soft hills and lush valleys seen in all directions.

Their produce can be purchased at the Sparta Farmers’ Market and the West Milford Farmers’ Market and at their on-site farm stand.

To further increase community access to locally grown produce, Kittatinny Mountain Farm will offer 10 Community Supported Agriculture Farm shares this season beginning in June.

Community Supported Agriculture Farm (CSA) is a popular approach to farming and food distribution that involves a group of consumers who become shareholders in a farm by paying a lump sum to a farm at the beginning of the year, when a farmer most needs money to cover start-up expenses.

Shareholders then receive a basket of diversified produce from the farm each week throughout the growing season, as well as the opportunity for pick your own flower bouquets and herbs. Through this model, members share the risks and benefits of food production.

CSA ensures that farmers have a consistent market for their product, and by eliminating middlemen, consumers feel more directly connected to the farm on which their food is grown and receive this fresh, local food at a fair price. CSA strengthens community, offers nutritious food options, and supports the local economy.

Want to know more?

For more information on how to sign up for a share at The Kittatinny Mountain Farm email kittatinnnymountainfarm@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

Contact David Zelov and Danielle Szepi at 862-268-6976.

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New Hereford Central Market to feature fresh produce from Pennsylvania farms

 North County residents can buy organic vegetables from 75 farms in Lancaster County, Pa., as well as fruit from a 350-acre farm in Pennsylvania, without ever leaving the Hereford Zone.

Hereford Central Market will open June 1 in the former Hereford Seafood building on York Road, next to the Hereford Library.

Sue Carbaugh, of Monkton, will run the new market. She spent last summer under a tent next to Hereford Seafood, where she sold vegetables from Brad's Produce in Harford County.

This year, she'll move into an air-conditioned store and sell goods from Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative and Three Springs Fruit Farm in Wenksville, Pa.

"I tried multiple farmers in Baltimore County who had a credible product, but I needed quantity, quality and a willingness to deliver," she said. "These two in Pennsylvania were big enough to do that."

She is also offering shares in a Community Supported Market where participants get 21 weeks of vegetables and fruit for $550.

CSM shareholders pay up front and then stop by the market on either Wednesdays or Saturdays to pick up an order.

Carbaugh said participants can choose six to eight items each week. An item could be a quart of string beans or a container of tomatoes. CMA members receive $25 to $30 of vegetables each week, and they receive a 10 percent discount over market price.

The deadline to participate in the Community Supported Market is May 25.

Hereford Central Market, located at 16938 York Road, will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. It will be closed on Tuesdays.

For details, or to register for the CSM, call Carbaugh at 410-472-4096, 410-404-3501, or email her at smcarbaugh@gmail.com.

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Hints from Heloise: Wash your produce, but don't use bleach

DEAR HELOISE: I purchase fruits and vegetables at my local farmers market each week. The produce is not wrapped, and before I prepare any of it, I soak it in water to which I have added 2 tablespoons of bleach. I don't know how many people have handled the produce prior to my purchasing it, and wish to be as safe as possible.

– Eva Knight, Via Email

DEAR EVA: Washing produce is always important, especially with outbreaks of salmonella and E. coli. We checked with the Food and Drug Administration, and it does not recommend using bleach, soap, detergent or produce washes. The FDA says to thoroughly "wash" all produce under only running water before using or cooking, which means to rub the surface with your hand or a vegetable brush to remove dirt, etc. If you want, you can use a clean paper towel to "scrub" the surface of delicate fruits and veggies.

Scrub firm vegetables, like potatoes, using a produce brush. Fruits with hard skins, like cantaloupe, should be scrubbed using a veggie brush under water so that bacteria don't move from the outside to the inside flesh when the skin is cut. Use a colander when washing fruit or veggies so cleaned items don't sit in dirty water.

DEAR HELOISE: My question is about bath towels. After a few washings, they begin to take on an almost musty, moldy odor. How do I get rid of this smell?

– Erin P., Via Email

DEAR ERIN: This is a common problem, which has several possible causes. Overloading the washing machine usually is the main culprit, so try washing fewer towels using a high water-level setting and even a second rinse. Use the normal amount of laundry detergent plus half-cup of baking soda or washing soda (found in the laundry aisle).

Towels often lose absorbency from the overuse of fabric softener or sheets. These products can cause buildup on the towels when not used correctly. When water cannot thoroughly penetrate and clean the towels, it causes odor. Always check the manufacturer's label before washing your towels. Some recommend not to use fabric softener (or bleach) at all.

Finally, always put towels in the dryer as soon as you can after washing.

DEAR HELOISE: I had a problem with my bedsheets and mattress cover. Every morning, I would wake up, and the sheets and mattress cover would be off the corner of the bed because of the plastic protective cover that was under them.

I solved this problem with a pair of my husband's suspenders. I attached one side (two clips) to one end of the mattress cover, and put the other under the mattress and attached the other two clips to the other side. Worked great!

– Pat C. In Danville, Ky.

DEAR HELOISE: I used to check pockets and make sure there were no tissues, but still there would be lint on black clothes. I finally figured it out. If I wash black clothes after towels or fuzzy things, the lint gets attached to the washer. So, never wash black items after doing towels. Either rinse out the machine on a rinse cycle or take a microfiber cloth and wipe the inside of the washer.

– Judy In Canfield, Ohio

DEAR JUDY: And, here's another laundry-day hint, from Loree Long of Weatherford, Texas. She says: "I always have a tablecloth for spring. Before removing it to launder, I attach a safety pin on each stain that needs pre-treating. Works every time, and you end up with a clean tablecloth for the next family/friend lunch or dinner."

– Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: To keep from cutting yourself on a sharp knife in a kitchen drawer, I take a round tube from a used paper-towel roll and staple one end two or three times. I use it to hold a long, sharp knife. The same idea works with a toilet-paper tube and shorter paring knives. The knives fit nicely and safely in any kitchen drawer.

– Betty Blaser-Perkins In Ventura

DEAR HELOISE: The cleanest and easiest way to slice through an avocado is lengthwise all the way around to the pit, twist to separate in half, remove the pit and use a spoon to scoop the avocado out.

– Kathy, Phoenix

DEAR HELOISE: When opening a carton of fresh strawberries, we tend to reach for the pretty, luscious berries we see on top. Instead, empty the strawberries into a bowl and use the ones on the bottom first. Fewer wasted strawberries!

– Gloria, Via Email

DEAR READERS: Here are helpful hints for measuring sugar: Confectioners' or powdered sugar, typically used in frostings and icings, absorbs moisture, which causes clumping. This is why it must be sifted or fluffed before measuring, then leveled off with a smooth, flat utensil.

Brown sugar should be pressed down firmly with a spoon and then leveled off. The brown sugar should retain the shape of the cup when turned into the bowl.

Granulated sugar can simply be placed in the measuring cup and, of course, leveled off for use.

c Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Send a great hint to Heloise, P.O. 79500, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

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