How to do it now!
Buy and eat organic food. Organic food is starting to become available everywhere, so check your local shops and supermarket, as well as online.
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Portland Organics – 952 Gorae Rd, Gorae West Ph: 55265266
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Admella’s Orchard – (shop) 100 Percy Street, Portland Ph: 55234964
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Peach’s Fruit Market – 180 Percy Street, Portland Ph: 55211985
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Heywood monthly fruit & vegetable market (see local paper)
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Portland monthly Saturday morning market (see local paper)
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Sunstream Wholefoods – 49 Julia St, Portland Ph: 55234895
Fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters the most. According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organisation that analyses the results of government pesticide testing in the United Sates of America, the following twelve fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide levels on average. Because of their high pesticide levels when conventionally grown; it is best to buy these varieties as organically grown:
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Apples |
Cherries |
Nectarines |
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Capsicum / Peppers |
Grapes |
Peaches |
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Carrots |
Kale |
Pears |
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Celery |
Lettuce |
Strawberries |
Non-organic fruits and vegetables with low pesticide levels. These conventionally grown fruits and vegetables were found to have the lowest levels of pesticides. Most of these have thicker skin or peel, which naturally protects them better from pests, and which also means their production does not require the use of as many pesticides.
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Asparagus |
Eggplant |
Pineapple |
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Avocado |
Kiwi |
Peas (sweet) |
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Broccoli |
Mango |
Sweet Potatoes |
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Cabbage |
Onion |
Tomatoes |
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Corn (sweet) |
Papaya |
Watermelon |
Refer to the True Food Guide for further information on a range of food issues.
Why this action is important?
Eating organic helps to reduce climate change (by reducing transport and industrial energy), nitrogen release into the environment (organic farming doesn't use artificial or synthetic fertilisers), and helps minimise salinity & soil loss caused by hard hoofed animals and intensive farming methods. Organic farming reduces the negative impact on local eco-systems and biodiversity, and can even help improve the local environment. Organic food is better for you - try it and taste the difference!