Q:

If I have to choose between a food that’s organic and one that’s local, which should I buy?

Allison Sanderson, Sacramento, CA

A:

The ideal choice is local and organic. After that, I choose locally grown foods over large-corporation organic. The issue is complex because although organic certification guarantees fewer pesticides in the environment, not all small growers can afford to comply with USDA regulations to earn the organic label. As a result, some produce not labeled organic is grown with just as much (or even more) care. By buying local, you can cut out the middleman and ask the grower how your food was grown and produced. Buying food that is either local or organic is a step in the right direction.