Whether herbivore or omnivore, most would agree that consuming
fresh produce is essential to good health.
In Western countries, we find small sticker labels on produce to
distinguish conventional from organic, but how do you know the difference in the
rest of the world? Are the “dirty dozen”and “clean fifteen” lists relevant outside of the United States? Because fresh fruits and vegetables make up
the majority of my diet, this issue is critical for me. I don’t want pesticides circulating in my
bloodstream nor that of my family’s, so here’s my strategy for securing that my
produce is organic (or near organic) when traveling abroad.
Research
Before you touch ground read up about agriculture in your
new destination. There are some
countries that have made legal commitments to only grow organic,
non-genetically modified produce, while other countries do the same because
they cannot afford otherwise. Take
Ethiopia as an example. When I arrived,
a fellow vegan informed me that all of Ethiopia’s produce is organic. Why?
Because farmers cannot afford to purchase the herbicides and pesticides
made popular by corporatized farm factories in the developed world. Even if I doubted his assertion, all of the
food I ate had a rich, sweetness to it, unlike the flavorless conventional
counterparts I grew up eating in New York City.
Connect
Supporting local farmers is not only good for the local
economy but also your health. Whether
organized farmer’s markets, traditional markets, or a friendly farmer in the
neighborhood, all are great options for knowing the source of your food,
allowing you to eat in good confidence.
While living in Algeria, I had a memorable experience visiting a
co-worker’s family farm in the outskirts of Algiers in Sidi Abdullah. After three bus rides to reach her home, each
subsequent bus became smaller and the air progressively became clearer. Walking across the open fields, I inhaled crisp, clean air only impeded by the occasional scent of
livestock. After meeting her family and
eating a meal prepared from their very own harvest, we walked around their
land, identifying vegetable crops and local herbs along with their medicinal
purposes. Knowing the hands behind the
labor that farming requires not only connects you to the land but the people inhabiting
it.
Observe
Conformity is not cool, not even for fruits and veggies. Organically grown produce has character and
variety and should not appear homogenous.
Look for varied sizes, shades, and shapes in your produce. Though I usually ask a merchant if their
produce is local or imported, I often know the answer based on their
appearance. Use your senses by smelling
the sweetness of tree-ripened fruits, feeling the smooth texture of your
vegetables, and seeing small holes in your leafy greens, made by ladybugs savoring their meal before it becomes yours. In Yemen, I vividly remember buying okra,
cutting one open and finding a little worm inside. Initially, I was disturbed but came to
realize that if this bug can safely eat it, so can I.
Taste
When the abovementioned efforts elude you, it’s time to be
your own scientist and trust your taste buds.
While in Algeria, my former director explained that some of the
agricultural development agreements being forged in the country stipulated the
use of herbicides and pesticides, which many farmers were unaccustomed to and
some were using improperly without adequate training. She warned us to be mindful of the produce we
purchase and we heeded her advice diligently.
In most cases, we enjoyed the produce we bought, preferring the unattractive yet tasty local fruits over the uniformly shiny, waxy imports. However, on several occasions our locally sourced beets had a distinct synthetic aftertaste, much like medicine, and we thought it best to leave them alone.
Grow
If all other efforts prove to be fruitless, it’s time to
take matters into your own hand, on your own land. Raised garden beds, potted plants, or
upcycled water jugs are all great options for growing your own produce. In the middle of Sana’a, Yemen, my Arabic
teacher had a rooftop garden where he grew flowers, strawberries, and tomatoes
in recycled tin cans and paint buckets. Whether
outdoors or indoors, even the palest shade of green thumbs can start growing low
maintenance plants like peppermint, aloe vera, strawberries, tomatoes, and
peppers. And, if you don’t have earth of
your own to till, you can practice guerilla gardening or urban reclamation,
by finding a vacant lot of public space and building your own garden. In some countries, cultivating formerly
barren land would be a welcomed act of beauty and kindness. Establishing community gardens can even be a
means of conflict resolution and peacemaking.
The possibilities are endless.
Important Note:
No matter how organic your produce may be, bacterial contamination is a
possibility in many developing countries.
Wash your produce with safe potable water and peel the skin or have it
peeled in your presence. Eat your
veggies with wisdom and gratitude! :)
