Organically grown strawberries cost $4.79/lb compared to $2.99/lb for conventionally grown strawberries. Strawberries are high in antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagic acid which may help fight cancer and heart disease. Organic pineapples are the same price as conventional at $3.99 each. Research on pineapple extracts shows promise in fighting cancer growth. Organically grown potatoes are more expensive at $1.60/lb than conventional potatoes at $0.59/lb from the grocery store.

1. Conventional Foods Vs. Organics Cost Comparison Kim Alton Kaplan University HW220-01 May 30, 2010

3. Strawberries Strawberries are selling for 2.99 lb for the conventionally grown and 4.79 for the organically grown. Strawberries came in second to blueberries in the USDA’s analysis of antioxidant capacity of 40 fruits and vegetables. They are also rich in dietary fiber and manganese, and contain more vitamin C than any other berry (more than any other berry). Among strawberries’ antioxidants are anthocynanins and ellagic acid, a phytochemical that has been shown to fight carcinogens. Antioxidant compounds found in strawberries may also prevent the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and thereby help fight the development of heart disease. Strawberries are also high in folic acid, dietary fiber and potassium. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/09/24/berries-health.aspx

4. Bananas Conventional Bananas are .69 a lb. and the Organic Banana is 1.19 lb. The Banana is available at the grocery stores in both conventional and organic form. But never at the Farmers Markets because it is never “Banana Season” in Wisconsin. You don’t need to eat bananas for the potassium! (Although it is present in bananas, potassium is the predominant nutrient among most all fruits and vegetables.) Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems. Don’t eat bananas on an empty stomach; combining them with a bit of protein will help to normalize the insulin response caused by the sugar in the banana. Green-tipped bananas are better for your health than over-ripe bananas. On a side note: Because bananas are so popular, rainforests are often destroyed to make way for banana plantations. http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/foodalert.htm

5. Pineapple Organic Pineapple sells for 3.99 each the very same price as the Conventionally grown pineapple. Pineapple Fights Cancer Growth While analyzing bromelain, an extract of crushed pineapple stems, researchers found that two molecules isolated from the extract showed promise in fighting cancer growth: One molecule, known as CCS, blocks a protein called Ras, which is defective in approximately 30 percent of all cancers. The other, called CCZ, stimulates the body's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Researchers discovered these two molecules work simultaneously to block the growth of a broad range of tumor cells including breast, lung, colon, ovarian and melanoma. BBC News July 22, 2005

6. Potatoes Organic Potatoes in the grocery store are 1.60 a pound whereas conventional potatoes are .59 a pound. The River Falls Farmers market potatoes are 3.00 a container, guessing about 3 pounds to be 1.00 a pound. Potatoes (This is actually a vegetable, but it digests more like a grain.) Your body prefers the carbohydrates in vegetables rather than grains because it slows the conversion to simple sugars like glucose, and decreases your insulin level. Grain carbohydrates, on the other hand, will increase your insulin levels and interfere with your ability to burn fat. http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/beginner_carbs.htm

8. Colon cancer

9. Breast cancer

10. Ovarian cancerProstate cancer Sources: Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition November 2006; 84(5): 1027-1032

11. When you cannot buy organics carefully wash your foods, and get rid of peels and cores, to reduce your exposure to chemicals & pesticides. Finding Organic Foods , The Season Availability & it’s Label This community has three grocery stores that provide organic produce for its consumers. One of the three (Whole Earth Grocery) is exclusively organic including its processed foods, meats, nutritionals, milk, cheese, beer and wine, coffee beans and cocoa. This is the store where you can find all produce almost year round being trucked in from around the United States and also imported. The other two grocery stores have few items of organics, till it is in season, that is when the produce shelves are full including the locally grown vegetation. Look for this USDA ORGANIC seal on your products.

12. Cost & Quality ~Pick-It, Feel-It, Smell-It We have all heard the saying you are what you eat. Aiming to buy organic, locally grown vegetable that are in season will help to keep cost down. This is when the Local Farmers and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs creates competition to bring prices down. Organics are put on sale and discounted with coupons in store circulars. Many stores are adding their own line of organic produce, again creating competitive pricing. Be aware of the antibiotic or hormone free items where you shop. Especially in the meats, eggs and dairy items. Omega 3’s should only be consumed in marine life. Be cautious of the highest levels of pesticides in certain foods & make the conscious decision in just a few items with high consumption for your families well being such as apples, berries, beef, chicken and eggs. (Is it a free range product? It should be). Don’t purchase wilty or old produce, make sure your vegetable or fruit is healthy when you purchase it. Get your bang for your buck. Has your product been genetically modified? Check the label. When you cannot buy organics carefully wash your foods, and get rid of peels and cores, to reduce your exposure to chemicals & pesticides.

13. What are the potential health effects of pesticides? The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body. EPA's human health risk assessments for many pesticides are available on the web. http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/human.htm So why when we have the means to build our immune system and prevent cancers and many other diseases do we insist on consuming these chemical laden foods that have the power to weaken the immune system , bring on dis-ease and early death. It was the idea of foods appealing to the eye then it was the money. Today it is all about the money to be gained by big corporation including the medical system and the unknowing consumer as well as affordability. Well can we really afford to not eat organics now in life and pay outrageous doctor bills as we age?

14. References American Journal of Clinical Nutrition November 2006; 84(5): 1027-1032retreived May 30, 2010 BBC News July 22, 2005 retrieved May 30, 2010 http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/human.htm retrieved May 30, 2010 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/09/24/berries-health.aspx retrieved May 30, 2010 http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/beginner_carbs.htm retrieved May 30, 2010 http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/foodalert.htm retrieved May 30, 2010