Have you seen the 2012 “Dirty Dozen” list? If not, don’t worry! Even though there are 12+ fruits and vegetables listed, they are still safe to eat!
Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes this list right when everyone is starting to eat a lot of the fresh produce that is in season this time of the year. Then the media gets wind of it and takes off with the information. What they (the media) don’t do is ask questions about their (EWG’s) research. IF they did, they would find out the same thing that Dr. Carl Winter and Josh Katz of UC-Davis did, “The potential consumer risks from exposure to the most frequently detected pesticides on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of foods are negligible and cast doubts as to how consumers avoiding conventional forms of such produce items are improving their health status.” (Read more about it here.)
Basically, fruits and vegetables are safe and healthy food choices. The health benefits of fruits and vegetables far outweigh any potential risks from pesticide residues. Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are good foods for you to consume just like organically grown fruits and vegetables are. It’s your choice what you decide to buy in the grocery store, but please know that my family and I choose to eat conventionally grown produce most of the time just like many other consumers do! Food safety is a top priority for U.S. farmers. We eat the same food from the same grocery stores as other consumers do. 
So please, if you decide to look over the “Dirty Dozen” list by the EWG, know that their research only measures the presence of residue and does not take into account the amount of food consumed or the toxicity of pesticides. They (the EWG) is just causing unnecessary fear for consumers.
So, I hope you take advantage of the wonderful produce that is readily available to us year round in our supermarkets, as I know that my family will!
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Great post sara! I echo your sentiments on our 150 acres of tomatoes, 200 acres of green beans and 20 acres of grapes!