The benefits of organic produce are well known.  They are grown with no (or less) toxic chemicals, sustainably produced, more nutritious, more flavorful, and in the case of local, produce fewer carbon emissions.   Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and a video even more.  The link to this Youtube video called “The Potato Project” done by an 11-year-old girl says it all.  In it, the girl does an experiment with sweet potatoes – she places sweet potatoes from three different stores in water to see if and how long it takes to grow vines.  Please take a moment to watch it and see for yourself one blatant difference between organic and conventional potatoes.

The little girl is referring to Chlorpropham, a plant growth regulator sold under the trade name Bud Nip.  Bud Nip is used on potatoes, blueberries, carrots, onions, cranberries and other produce.  According to its Pesticide Information Profile, long-term exposure may cause adverse reproductive effects and tumors and products containing chlorpropham must bear the signal word “Caution”.   It is unnatural for a plant not to bud and furthermore, there is limited data on the safety of plant growth regulators.  This product is alarming!

Think about this video the next time you buy potatoes.  If you think buying organic is too expensive, consider the true cost of the long-term side effects.  Potatoes are on the “dirty dozen” list, so please buy organic ones!  Visit the Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Shopping Guide to see which fruits and vegetables you should buy organic.




Let me know what you think!


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