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Growing our foods organically has proven to be one of the hottest, fastest-growing movements of the 21st century.
Already, more than 4 million acres of American farmland have been dedicated to raising our food more
sustainably,1 with an eye toward our health and our future. That's four million acres farmed
intelligently without the use of toxic pesticides or other toxic chemicals; four million acres nurtured
with both ancient and modern techniques that are in balance with nature, helping to reduce the production
of greenhouse gasses and reduce the threat of global warming. As recently as 1990, when Congress passed
the Organic Foods Production Act, there were fewer than one million acres of organic farmland. In just
twelve years, by 2002, that amount had doubled. Then the pace of progress picked up. Within just three
more years, the amount of organic farmland doubled again. In 2005 we enjoyed, for the first time, certified
organic farmland in all 50 states. It's been exceptional progress, but we can do more.
If organic cropland continues to double — and it can! — we can hope to see a
revitalization and renewal of our streams and our soil as we build a smart, sustainable future. I can remember
drinking stream water in our National Parks when I was a child, because it was so pure. I can remember catching
and eating fish from our local streams. Today, all of the streams surveyed by the USGS, and over 90 percent of
fish tested in farming regions were polluted with pesticides.2 We can reclaim our streams, our food,
our future. Delicious, nutrient-packed, healthful organic food is becoming more available every day —
and with a few, focused, strategic, simple purchases we can make a huge difference together. Almost every day
someone asks me, "What are the most important foods to buy organic?" Every bite of food is either an investment
in your body's vitality or a debt your body is taking out — or a combination of both. To make your investments
really count, for yourself, for your family, and for the planet, I've created Dr. Greene's Organic
Prescription — the top ten items (okay, 11) where I believe we can make the biggest difference.
See Endnotes >
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See Dr. Greene's Top 10 list of the most important organic foods to eat.
Learn more about Dr. Allen Greene, pediatrician and organic advocate.
Tips from Dr. Greene on teaching kids to eat healthfully.
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