Farmer's Market- Organic vs. Local?

Let me just start by saying that I love Farmer's Markets. One of the reasons I was so excited to move into the specific apartment complex that I live in? There's a weekly market on Sundays One block away- ideal!

There is such a sense of community and happiness associated with getting out and socializing with the actual growers and they are usually more than passionate and willing to speak about their products and what they believe is the most delicious preparation method.

Produce Love!!! Yeah, I'm thinkin' of You Julz :)

Plus, check out the colors on those babies- You know they haven't been sitting in a grocery store or moving van for days on end; the quality is obvious. 
These apples are gorgeous. They have my favorites which I'm sure to pick up each week (Newton Pippins!). What is your favorite type of apple and why? These little embodiments of deliciousness and love also happen to be Organic And Local.
Which actually leads me to my next point: There is a huge debate about the benefits of Organic and Local food and whether one is preferable to the other. I have pretty well thought out opinions on this matter. While, ideally, one would be able to buy produce that is both organic and local, working on a student budget (or any budget, really!) that is simply not always feasible. But what do these terms really mean?

Asking growers and consumers at the Saturday Farmer's Market located on Mission and Western, I found the general definition of local food as that which is produced or grown within 100 miles of a consumer's place of residence. 

Organic food is produced without the usage of any kind of preservatives or artificial pesticides.
These are both incredibly beneficial and important practices to support; however, there are a few things to keep in mind:

While having the assurance of knowing they are picked at the peak of ripeness and nutrient potency, Local foods may have traces of pesticides. The practice of using pesticides is continually debated as it may encourage mutation of insects and decrease soil nutrients- basically it messes with ecological harmony. Does knowing the farm where your food came from justify the potentially environmentally detrimental farming practices; do the enhanced nutrients guaranteed by the short travel time from land to table outweigh the consumption of pesticides?

Organic foods will lack the pesticides and work with the land in which they are grown. However, many organic foods come from all over the world. They are picked up to weeks in advance of their maturity dates and left to ripen on planes. How often is it that you pick up an organic onion and read "product of India?" Do the benefits of a product being organic outweigh the nutrients lost in long transport; does the positive effect that organic farming has on the soil outweigh the negative effect the pollution given off by the fuel used in transportation is causing? 
My verdict? I try to shop smart. The Environmental Working Group, a "not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment," compiled a list of the 43 most common Fruits and Vegetables ranked by their pesticide content. (View the full list here.)

The top offenders:  

Of the fruits, peaches, apples, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, imported grapes, and pears all fall within the top ten most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

Veggie lovers should be wary of bell peppers, celery, lettuce, spinach, potatoes, carrots, green beans, hot peppers, and cucumbers.

When I am stocking up on apples and strawberries I am far more likely to choose organic over local. I do not want to be ingesting copious amounts of pesticides with my afternoon snack; our bodies have enough pollution to fight off without it- especially during cold and flu season!

Foods requiring peeling, such as grapefruit, bananas, pineapple, avocado and onions, tend to be relatively pesticide free. For those items ranking in the bottom twenty or so of the contaminated food list I opt for locally grown. It is more personally important that I know my food is at the peak of freshness and contributed as little air and water pollution as possible during transportation. Naturally, a thorough cleaning with a diluted vinegar solution is necessary with all food products- especially those which may harbor pesticides. According to NPR, this cleansing technique has actually been proven to eradicate 98% of bacteria.

The bottom line: Buy locally or organically whenever possible- either is a safer and more environmentally conscious option than shoving the cheapest produce into your metal grocery cart. Be an educated consumer and value your body. And, everyone, shop at farmer's markets!

Plus, you get to sit and listen to great music...
Not to mention indulge in incredibly fresh samples (yes, it was the last week for stone fruits :( alas, seasonality does play an important role- as it should)
Was anyone aware that this is how brussell sprouts are grown?? What with their recent popularity in the blog world (and on my plate!) I had to share. Looks like a mutated Jack and the Beanstalk extravaganza!
There are usually also lots of vendors selling fresh local products. I allowed myself to be tempted by a decadent organic apple gallette along with it's buddy, an even more delicious butternut squash gallette. They were the perfect combo of savory and sweet.
I started taking a picture of this because the mini loaf pan was so adorable and I just might need one for holiday baking (but where to find?!); however, when the man offered me a loaf at half price because they were "gonna get cold and won't be as good in five minutes" I could not refuse. The vendors at markets are so helpful, friendly and really love their products- it's apparent in the quality and taste.

Support your local farmers- it's doing something great for your body and community!