This list was compiled from Vegetarian Times.

I don't agree with some of the findings here, for instance I believe blueberries do have a high level of pesticide residues, and eggs no matter the label (which is hard to define anyway) does not  guarantee the chickens are living in a cruelty free environment. They are still sent to slaughter as soon as they are "spent" and can still have their beaks seared off without pain medication. In my opinion it is better not to eat eggs unless you have your own chickens or  can get local eggs where the chickens are treated with compassion and kindness,not a product-see my note below.

Vegetables to buy organic

Green Beans-are sprayed multiple times with pesticides and herbicides, and fungicides.

Potatoes-especially russets, are highly likely to contain multiple pesticide residues.

Spinach-is often grown in less-than-ideal conditions, so conventional farmers uses significant amounts of pesticides,fungicids,and herbicides. More than 60 percent of the nonorgainc spinach tested by the FDA contains pesticide residue, including DDT and permethrin.

Winter squash- Mild pesticides are used on hard winter squashes. Conventional grown winter squash is coated with an oily wax, making the skin inedible. Organic is a better choice, but nonorganic is acceptable if you don't eat the skin.

Vegetables ok no buy nonorganic

Asparagus, Avacados,Broccoli,Brussel sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage,Sweet Corn,Eggplant,Garlic,Onions,Rhubarb,Sweet Potatoes,Tomatoes-buy local, Zucchini-does not tolerate many pesticides but the pesticides used on this crop include several known carcinogens

Seeds, nuts,legumes buy organic

Almonds-Many toxic pesticides and herbicides are used on almond trees. If you eat almonds daily, buy organic

Peanuts (and peanut butter-Peanuts grow underground and are known to absorb toxins from the soil

Pecans-If you can find organic-pecans, they're a good choice because pecan trees tend to be sprayed frequently with pesticides, herbicides,a nd miticides.

Soy foods-Soy milk and tofu are so processed that few pesticides residues remain; however, several very toxic pesticides are now used to grow conventional soybeans. Buying organic soy products encourages more organic production. Organic is the best choice for children.

Ok to buy nonorganic

Beans-dried,Cashews, Macadamia nuts,Sesame seeds-organic is better.

Fruits to buy organic

Apples-Multiple pesticides are found on apples, a favorite food of many children

Apricots,Nectarines, peaches- Most stone fruits are highly likely to contain pesticide residues. Peaches are No.1 on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list

Cherries-are sprayed 8-10 times during their growth cycle and likely contain various pesticide residues.

Grapes, imported-Buy only organic or avoid imported entirely, specially for children. Imported grapes may be fumigated iwth highly toxic methly bromide.

Lemons, limes organges- Most pesticide residue is concentrated in the peel, so buy organic when using the peel in baking or drinks.

Pears-highly likely to contain pesticides

Raspberries-Buy local- highly likely to contain fungicide residue

Strawberries-USDA's Pesticide Data Program releases its annual list of produce samples with residues that exceed tolerable levels, strawberries appear more often than any other.

Ok to buy non organic

Blueberries,bananas,Grapes-domestic-for small children organic is best,Grapefruit,Tangerines,Mangoes, Watermelons.

Cantalope-eat domestically grown nonorganic melons in season. Cantalope imported from Mexico frequently test positive for pesticide residues and should be avoided

Dairy to buy organic

Butter-typically shows low pesticide levels, but pesticide residues are stored in fat and butter is nearly all fat

Cheese is mostly fat, and pesticides tend to accumulated in animal fat. Organic cheese is best, but hard to find. For children, buy only organic. Local cheese may be a good option.

Eggs-Local,organic eggs are the next best choice,followed by cage-free eggs.

Milk,yogurt-organic milk contains no hormones or antibiotics.

*A note about organic and dairy*

Many times your local farmers market has produce that is organic but the farmer does not have the label due to paperwork or restrictions. Organic also does not mean the crops  grown are sustainable.

Become friends with your local farmers market.

With dairy, organic has nothing to do with cruelty. It is a labeling system that requires no pesticides,growth hormones or other artificial means of production.

While I believe in organic it is not always the answer. A farmer can loose their organic label if one of their cows becomes sick and they use an antibiotic to help her, even if she is removed from the food chain. I could be wrong but this sounds insane.

There are other reasons to find alternatives to dairy. Cows give milk only while pregnant and nursing their calves like any animal. So they must be kept pregnant and then many times the calves are taken from the mother (which causes distress and the mother often cries as the baby does) this is the reason for the veal industry, a very cruel industry where a baby is kept in a crate and kept anemic for 4 months before slaughter. Often it is the male calves because they are deemed worthless on a production line.

Organic has nothing to do with a cruelty label. There may be some farms that are cruelty free but lets be honest if an animal is no longer producing it costs them money so they send that animal to slaughter. Cows on average live about 20 years I believe. In a farm situation they only live about 5. Chickens have a 10 year life span. On a production farm they typically only live 3-about as long as they can produce eggs.

Other chickens like broiler chickens don't get to live that long and don't get to live in a loving environment. They  are treated as a product, boiled alive many times than not. A cruel death indeed.

I highly recommend finding the many dairy and egg alternatives.

We have the power within ourselves to change what we do to this planet and her creatures-including ourselves. What we do comes back to us in more ways then one, and we are already seeing this with the warming of our planet.

Namaste,

Sky