How Does Earth Day Relate to WES?

On April 22 of each year people around the world plant trees, commute to work by bicycle and pick up trash in their neighborhoods to observe Earth Day, an event created to shine a spotlight on environmental concerns.  The first Earth Day was organized by Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. senator from Wisconsin, in 1970 as a way to bring environmental protection onto the national political agenda.  Today, the Earth Day Network and EPA organize events and volunteer opportunities in every region of the U.S. to give citizens a way to organize to directly affect the environment around them.  Learn more about Earth Day by visiting their website at http://www.earthday.org/2013/

So you might ask, “How does Earth Day relate to Waupaca Eating Smart (WES)?”  Got you thinking, didn’t we?  One of the main objectives of WES is to promote eating more fruits and vegetables.  Any form of fruits and vegetables is great: fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.  However, another strategy WES has tried to promote in its partner restaurants is offering more locally grown produce.  Eating locally grown produce, or growing your own in your own backyard garden, is a great way to know exactly what is in the food you are eating.  But what if you don’t eat produce you grow yourself—will it still be as healthy and safe?  Some people are concerned the produce they buy may contain pesticides, so may choose to purchase organic produce.  How can you make a choice that is both safe and healthy?

First, it’s important to know that the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. You can use tools like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) The Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ to help you determine which fruits and vegetables have the most pesticide residues and are the most important to buy organic. You can lower your pesticide intake by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables (the Dirty Dozen™) and choosing the least contaminated produce.  Look for their findings on their website:  http://www.ewg.org/foodnews2013/summary.php

Bottom line—fruits and vegetables are an important part of your diet—half of your plate should contain them!  Be a smart shopper when you visit the grocery store or restaurant and know what to look for and ask for.  And always wash your produce at home before you prepare and eat them.  Fruits and veggies are a tasty addition to your diet.  And spring and summer produce are just around the corner, so look for crisp asparagus, tangy rhubarb, and sweet strawberries soon!  Eat Smart Waupaca!