The character Popeye is known to favor spinach, and the fame of this cartoon helped increase spinach sales by 33% in the 1930’s. This leafy green is high in nutrition, but low in calories. It is also an incredible source of dietary magnesium and potassium, as well as being rich in vitamins K, A, E, and C, making it a very healthy choice. Spinach has become more popular in recent years, with sales rocketing by 20% from 2019 to 2020. Yet, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of spinach. So we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of spinach?

Apples are an incredibly popular fruit, with over 4.6 million tons produced every year in the US alone. They are common in many different baked goods, such as pies and tarts, as well as salads and even roasts. In terms of nutrients, they pack a strong punch of protein and fiber, making them a perfect breakfast or snack. But the production of apples can involve some seriously unethical and unsustainable practices. So we had to ask: Is eating apples ethical and sustainable?

Grapefruits are the cousin of the citrus family, known for their semi-sweet, bitter taste. They are a breakfast staple, with lots of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A to help you start your day. Grapefruits are incredibly popular, with the grapefruit industry valued at $8 billion in 2018 and projected to grow to over $11 billion by 2027. But grapefruit production can also have some unethical and unsustainable impacts. So we had to ask: Is eating grapefruits ethical and sustainable?

Mangoes are a delicious and versatile fruit. They can be used in anything from chutneys to salads and delicious desserts. They are popular too, with 43 million tons of them produced globally every year. Healthwise, they’re powerhouses with vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K. In fact, just one cup of mangoes has two-thirds of your daily vitamin C requirement. But the production of mangoes can also have some significantly unethical and unsustainable qualities. So we had to ask: Is eating mangoes ethical and sustainable?

Papayas are a soft, sweet fruit native to Mexico. Today, they are grown everywhere from Florida to Hawaii. Papayas are also highly versatile. For example, they are commonly used in salads, desserts, and ice creams. But papayas can also have many unethical and unsustainable properties in their production process. So we had to ask: Is eating papayas ethical and sustainable?

Around 625,680 tons of peaches are produced in the US every year. Whether you like to enjoy some juicy peaches during August (National Peach Month!) or appreciate them as an excellent source of vitamins A and C year-round, they’re a classic fruit with plenty of health benefits. But, some aspects of the peach-making process can harm the environment and even negatively affect the workers who pick them. So, we had to ask: Is eating peaches ethical and sustainable?

Mushrooms are one of the most fascinating parts of the ecosystem; they are actually genetically closer to humans than plants! A single honey mushroom in Oregon is the largest living organism on the planet, and of the 14,000 varieties, mushrooms can do anything from glow in the dark to aiding in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the culinary world, mushrooms are a tasty and healthy addition to a number of well-known dishes including stews, beef stroganoff, and pies. However, much less is shared about the environmental impact, and especially the carbon emissions of mushrooms. So, we had to ask: What is the carbon footprint of mushrooms?

Avocados are a delicious and trendy fruit. They have exploded in popularity over the past few decades, with their US consumption increasing by around 500% between 1985 and 2021. Avocados also have lots of health benefits, including generous helpings of vitamins C and E, as well as magnesium and potassium. They are a classic staple on toast, in salads, and of course, as guacamole. But there can also be many unethical and unsustainable aspects of avocado farming. So we had to ask: Is eating avocados ethical and sustainable?

A summer picnic isn’t complete without some watermelon slices. They are a hydrating fruit, containing over 90% water, as well as protein and fiber. Watermelons are a quintessential American crop, as one of the top three agricultural products produced in the country. But watermelons can also participate in some unethical and unsustainable practices. So, we had to ask: Is eating watermelon ethical and sustainable?

Lemons are an iconic, diverse fruit, with over 40 different species existing globally. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Furthermore, they are a staple ingredient in many drinks, baked goods, and in general-purpose cooking. However, there are many different areas during the lemon farming and production process that can be very unethical and cause harm to the environment. So, we had to ask: Is eating lemons ethical and sustainable?

Blueberries are a popular American fruit, with almost 700 million lbs of them produced every year. They are an amazing addition to baked goods and pack a strong nutritional punch with lots of antioxidants and vitamin K. However, there are also many aspects of the blueberry industry that can cause significant humanitarian and environmental issues. So, we had to ask: Is eating blueberries ethical and sustainable?

Pineapples are a booming industry, with 30 million tons produced every single year. They’re nutritious too, as a cancer-fighting fruit loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin C. Furthermore, this fruit has been a historical symbol of hospitality and welcome, especially in South America. But the production of pineapples can also have some serious impacts on the resources required and workers involved. So, we had to ask: Is eating pineapples ethical and sustainable?

Grapes are a delicious and versatile fruit, with 30% being consumed directly, and the other 70% used to make wine. Originating as a crop around 8,000 years ago, grapes have a long agricultural history but their production can actually have a significant impact on the environment depending on the methods used. So, we had to ask: What is the environmental impact of grapes?

Oranges are by far the most popular citrus fruit and for good reason. They are suitable for juicing, baking, and general consumption. They also pack a great health punch, with almost 100 grams of vitamin C per orange. But orange production can also consume a lot of resources and require certain growth practices that may be harmful to people or environments. So, we had to ask: Is eating oranges ethical and sustainable?

Apricots are a booming American industry, with more than 40,000 tons produced each year. They also happen to be a delicious treat, popular in jams or as a dried fruit. But there are also a lot of components to the apricot industry that can have a damaging effect on the environment. So, we had to ask: What is the environmental impact of apricots?