Buying organic is something you may or may not want to do. It may mean:

  • going to a new supermarket or farmers market.
  • spending more money for your food. Some organic produce can cost more. 

The good news is, all produce that is offered at your participating WIC store is healthy and safe for you to eat. The best thing you can do is use all your WIC fruit and vegetable dollars at the store, organic or not!

TIPS for preparing and eating ANY AND ALL vegetables and fruits:

  • Wash all fruits and vegetables well, using a brush to lightly scrub. This will remove surface dirt, bacteria, and some or all residues. 
  • You may want to peel waxy skins. 
  • Talk to your produce manager at your store. Your produce manager may be able to tell you:
    • What is local produce 
    • What produce is in season
    • How best to prepare your produce
  • Shop at farmers markets. 
  • Talk with the grower and ask how they grow their produce. Local growers will be able to share more information. 
  • Many small farmers grow their produce with minimal if any chemicals. 
  • Check with your local WIC agency. Your county may participate in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. 
  • You may be able to buy local, fresh produce at the farmers market.

Buy these 15 conventional fruits and vegetables as they are least likely to contain pesticide residue: 

  1. Asparagus
  2. Avocados
  3. Broccoli
  4. Cabbages
  5. Cantaloupes
  6. Cauliflower
  7. Eggplants
  8. Honeydew Melons
  9. Kiwis
  10. Mangoes
  11. Onions
  12. Papayas
  13. Pineapples
  14. Sweet Corn
  15. Sweet Peas


CONVENTIONAL

These are fruits and vegetables that are not organic. They may be grown using synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.