Why Pesticide Free Matters: The Case for Soilless Strawberries

A GROWING DEMAND FOR CLEANER PRODUCE

Strawberries consistently top the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Dirty Dozen™ list, a ranking of fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide contamination. Despite rigorous rinsing and washing, over 99% of non-organic strawberry samples tested by the USDA were found to contain pesticide residues, with nearly 30% carrying residues from ten or more pesticides. These contaminants include substances linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and hormone disruption.

THE ADVANTAGE OF SOILLESS STRAWBERRIES

Soilless strawberry production offers a distinct advantage over soil-based methods by significantly reducing the need for chemical pesticides, resulting in cleaner, safer produce. In traditional soil farming, strawberries are often exposed to a wide array of pests, soil-borne diseases, and weed pressures, which necessitate the heavy use of chemical treatments, including toxic fumigants.

By contrast, soilless systems like aeroponics operate in a controlled environment where the absence of soil eliminates many common threats, such as nematodes and pathogens. This minimizes or eliminates the use of pesticides, ensuring that the strawberries are not only free of harmful residues but also grown sustainably. Additionally, the closed-loop systems in soilless cultivation prevent pesticide runoff, protecting surrounding ecosystems while delivering strawberries that meet the growing consumer demand for ultra-clean, high-quality produce.