C.O. Farmer’s Markets Tout Healthy Food

A new study from an environmental group ranks the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables. The list, called the “Dirty Dozen,” is supposed to help you when buying produce.

With local farmer’s markets opening up for the summer, NewsChannel 21 wanted to find out just how healthy it is for you to buy from local producers.

When it comes to food, we want it to be as clean as possible.

But according to the Environmental Working Group, there are 12 foods we have to be careful of, including strawberries, peaches, celery and apples.

“Those ones to me seem like the vulnerable crops that weren’t meant to grow in huge monocrops,” said Nicolle Timm, who works for Central Oregon Locavore, an online farmer’s market with over 175 farmers.

Timm says the produce listed in the “Dirty Dozen” weren’t meant to grow in a huge field.

“When you have huge farms of monocrops, you just cant control the pests,” Timm said.

Timm says the foods on the list are grown with conventional agricultural methods — which often includes the use of chemicals to control insects.

Local farmers though, say they use more organic methods.

“I have yet to meet a farmer who uses chemicals,” Timm said.

Many farmers in our area use sustainable, bio-dynamic and permiculture methods, including natural fertilizer and compost, which according to Timm,creates a healthier plant.

“It’s a healthier stronger, more vibrant plant,” Timm said, “which one has more nutrition, two taste better and three, it resists insects and disease.”

For those still doubting the safety of the food at farmer’s markets ,Timm points to the number of people who handle your food going to a grocery store, from harvesters and packers to customers, instead of just a farmer and you.

“It’s handled less, it’s fresher, it’s healthier,” Timm said. “And generally it’s more nutritious, and all of those things are better for you in the end.”

Still, Timm said you should always wash the produce, regardless of where you purchased it.

The Bend Farmer’s Market is downtown every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. now until October 10th. On Fridays, it’s out at St. Charles Medical Center from 2 to 6 p.m. now until September 28th.