Toxins in my Body or Emissions in the Air - Not a Simple Choice

As I continue my quest to eat local I am finding it difficult as a vegetarian to also eat organic during the middle of winter. When visiting a local health food store I asked about the source of the organic beans only to be shown that the labels from the bulk bags verified my worst fears: chick peas from Turkey, kidney beans and lentils from China and other beans from anywhere but Canada.

Now the choice becomes one of buying organic from some distant land to avoid eating pesticides or buying local to avoid poisoning the air with emissions. Or is that all there is to it? In a recent article in the US, about organic foods from China, it was found that even though it was labelled organic the fruits and vegetables often tested positive for pesticides. Organic scams are big business in China and one more reason to get to know your local farmer and buy not only organic but also buy local.

There are two very good reasons for buying local: it benefits the planet by not purchasing products that contribute to carbon dioxide levels in the air because they have travelled great distances and it supports local farming jobs. These farmers will, if the demand is there, switch to organic practices.

I would suggest we need to get to know and trust our farmers by going out and finding those local products that will feed our family without polluting the planet. In my selection criteria, I plan to make the choice first to buy local and second if possible to buy local organic. I hope you will consider doing the same. It is the only way to ensure a safe and reliable food supply in the future.