What's on the minds of California's farmers and ranchers?

On June 13, 2011 the Washington based Enviromental Working Group listed the top 12 produce items that included residue from pesticides – California Women for Agriculture felt the need to respond to this article and so this is the letter we have come up with ~ Hopefully it provides some insight to the fruits and vegetables California Farmers produce~

I have the most precious niece in the world! She is a total farm girl and loves to help with ranch and farm chores. On occasion, she and I will pick our own strawberries in the field or cut up apples and sit on the porch to eat our “yummies.” Imagine my horror as I read with great sadness because of the misinformation presented as fact your report regarding the Environmental Working Group’s recent release of it’s updated “Dirty Dozen” list.

While I recognize that many people have concerns about possible pesticide residues on the food they eat, this report is clearly designed to make people feel that their food is unsafe and that pesticide residue on foods is a hazard that people should be highly cautious about. This is not based on any real scientific evidence. Scientists that have reviewed the list and the even the EWG themselves say is not risk based. Further, these scientists say that this “Dirty Dozen” list is actually misleading to consumers and should not be used when making purchasing decisions about fruits and vegetables.

I feel fortunate that a woman, auntie, and farmer that I have access to real information and am able to sort through the minutia of your article and EWG’s report to get to the heart of the matter and the truth. Unfortunately, too many folks won’t question it because it’s “in print” and will take the information at face value. And thus, a sector of the population will unnecessarily alter their eating habits and ultimately truly jeopardize their health.

EWG is neither a farm-based group nor agricultural advocates. In fact, EWG’s list is yet another example of why 79% of toxicologists surveyed say that the EWG is guilty of over-estimating risk to consumers. EWG develops its list through manipulation of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program results and the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s pesticide sampling data.

The EWG encourages its members to work for continued consumer access to ‘organic or low pesticide residue foods’. Current USDA and FDA sampling data clearly shows that this is what consumers are receiving now. The government sampling data results demonstrate that farmers aren’t just meeting the safety standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency, they are significantly exceeding those safety requirements. The crops sampled by USDA are shown to have either no residue at all or residues are 10 times to 100 times below the already stringent safety limits.

In addition to the hats I wear and previously identified, I am also the State President of California Women for Agriculture (CWA). CWA is the largest, all-volunteer, nonpartisan agricultural support organization in California; and our membership is primarily comprised of women who are farmers, consumers, working professionals, mothers and daughters – who share a passion to support California agriculture and advocate for the importance of ensuring a local, affordable and reliable food supply that results from a healthy and vibrant agricultural industry.

CWA, unlike EWG, promotes all of agricultural and rejects reports and claims such as those that EWG has made and seductively spews. I, personally, will continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet of the “dozen” fruit and vegetables tagged by EWG as dangerous, as well as other fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat.

For consumers who may still be concerned about these very low levels of pesticide residues, they can follow the simple advice from the Federal Food and Drug Administration – just wash your fruits and vegetables. The FDA states that washing under running tap water can remove and often eliminate any minute pesticide residues that may be present. And, keep in mind, organic does not mean pesticide, herbicide or fertilizer free. Whether you choose organic or conventionally grown produce, washing is a healthful practice that should be followed prior to consuming fresh produce. Eating seasonally and buying local also helps to ensure that you are eating fresh and healthy produce.

What’s important to know is that food safety is something farmers take very, very seriously. After all, our families eat this food too and we often live on our farms and ranches. It is crucial that everyone in the supply chain from farmers to consumers be aware of and takes precautions to handle food properly, particularly when it comes to produce items that may be eaten raw.

Perhaps the most important advice from the government came recently with the release of the USDA’s long-awaited new food icon, MyPlate. To the applause of nutritionists and health officials, the government advises consumers to “fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.” Further underscoring the importance of this recommendation are two new studies that have shown a correlation between inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower IQs and a higher incident of behavioral disorders in children.

Eating a balanced diet, coupled with exercise is so important to healthy eating. And, if you care where your produce comes from, then buy from California and USA farmers and ranchers and support organizations like CWA who value the truth and are intolerant of sensationalism.

(special thanks to the cwa and aaw members who created this letter- you are quite simply amazing)

Until next time ~

Celeste