GO ORGANIC IN PUNTA CANA

With such a wide variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables, the Dominican Republic has a very rich vegetation. But did you know that a lot of these fruits and vegetables are organic in Punta Cana?

Eating fruits and vegetables in the Dominican Republic is healthier than you might think. Most of these foods are actually organic.

These fruits and vegetables do not get a wax layer or are irradiated, or force ripened. No, they come straight out of the earth or from a tree. Sometimes we complain that the fruits turn ripe too fast. But that is just because they are so fresh and not sprayed with all kinds of stuff to have a longer expiration date.

Also, the eggs on the island have an organic character, but you will have to buy them at a farm, to be sure.

In 2014 Dominican Republic’s Department of Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture conducted tests for toxic residues on Dominican-raised fruit and vegetables in a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The results were that an astounding 97% were free of pesticide residues. The tested produce included cabbages, cucumbers, chili peppers, bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, eggplants, and mangoes. Source. www.selectcaribbean.com

Where to go organic in Punta Cana

A lot of the fruits and veggies in the super market and the small colmados are organic too. But the most organic ones come on the trucks. Those trucks you see passing by in the streets of Bavaro, Veron, and Cabeza de Toro. It is as natural as it gets. Stop the truck and get your organic fix.

Every Sunday Los Establos in Cap Cana has Mercadito Organico (Organic Market), where you can pick up local fresh organic farm products such as Honey, Coconuts, Tobacco, Sweets, Plantains, Yuca, Pumpkin, Yam, and cocoa. 

The Farmers market in Punta Cana village has locally fresh homegrown products. It takes place every other Saturday. This Saturday the 28th of April there is a special fish edition.

Pay a visit to the Fundacion Grupo Punta Cana where they have a sustainable agriculture program. A great way to go organic!

Sometimes all you have to do is look up at the trees you pass by. For example, the beautiful mango tree close to restaurant Venezia. During mango season that tree has the juiciest and most yellow mangos around. The other day we encountered a banana tree on our way to Bavaro beach.

What are your favorite organic foods in Punta Cana?

Photo: @algomio_rd Instagram