Friday Food Facts

Arizona agriculture’s $23.3 billion industry grows the “Med Diet in the Desert.” Everything from fruits and vegetables, nuts, and a variety of healthy meat protein including beef. We even raise fish in Arizona. All fitting into the world’s healthiest diet, the Mediterranean diet.

Everyday pesticide uses such as chlorine in drinking water and disinfectants in hospitals keep you and me safe. Even insect repellent is a pesticide. Pesticide use in agriculture is the same. It’s meant to protect.  Arizona agriculture’s pesticide footprint is small. The most often used tool to battle pests is mechanical. (Photo provided by Yuma Farmer Jonathan Dinsmore.)

Did you know that egg yolks are one of the few foods that are a naturally reliable source of Vitamin D. Plus, eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. So, before you leave for work, school or play, fuel you tank with egg protein, essential vitamins and minerals!

Organic and Conventional farming are more alike than different. They’re both methods of farming. They both have well-established markets. They both use approved pesticides and they both feed up.

Go to any Arizona grocery story and you’ll be surrounded by local food. You can find it in the dairy, meat and egg case. You can find it in the produce aisle. In fact, 53% of the beef in the meat case comes from Arizona ranches like mine.