naver-site-verification: navera36c66ce7f77de9d94b37fe74dd6cbab.html
top of page
Search

Does Your Produce Contain PFAS? Store-Bought vs. Backyard Garden and Local Farm

Updated: 21 hours ago

Jump to


1. Introduction


PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are found almost everywhere, including in the food we eat. These man-made substances get into soil and water and have been linked to health problems like cancer as well as issues with the immune system, kidneys, thyroid, cholesterol, and fertility. This is particularly important for consumers who choose local produce, as they often do so based on trust in the quality and safety of food from known sources. Understanding the risk of PFAS in their food could impact their choices and their confidence in local farming practices. I recently learned more about how PFAS are made and how they spread in the environment.

Tests have found PFAS in 98% of U.S. waterways checked across 19 states. ("New Analysis Finds PFAS in 98% of Tested U.S. Waterways Across 19 States", 2025) Even more concerning, 95% of sites downstream from wastewater treatment plants have high levels of these chemicals. ("New Analysis Finds PFAS in 98% of Tested U.S. Waterways Across 19 States", 2025) According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey, as many as 95 million Americans—over 20% of the country—may rely on groundwater with PFAS contamination. ("Millions in the U.S. may rely on groundwater contaminated with PFAS for drinking water supplies", 2024) In this blog, I’ll look at how the risks of PFAS contamination differ between store-bought produce and food grown in local gardens or farms.


2. What Are PFAS? A Quick Primer

You may have heard about “forever chemicals” in the news. That’s the nickname for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in things like non-stick pans, stain-resistant furniture, waterproof jackets, pizza boxes, and firefighting foam. ("Forever chemicals now subject to hazardous designation under Superfund", 2024) The trouble is, PFAS don’t break down easily. Once they’re in the environment, they stay for decades, spreading through soil, water, and air. Eventually, they can get into our food—plants absorb them, animals eat the plants, and we end up eating both.


Products that ocntain PFAS

3. How PFAS Get into Produce

PFAS can get into fruits and vegetables through their roots. If these chemicals are in the soil or water, plants absorb them along with nutrients. PFAS can then move into stems, leaves, and fruits. Short-chain PFAS are smaller and travel more easily into edible parts, while long-chain PFAS often stay in the roots. ("Translocation, bioaccumulation, and distribution of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in plants", 2022)

Leafy greens like lettuce and kale, and vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, tend to collect more PFAS. Fruits, grains, and seeds usually have less. Soil type is important too—sandy soils let PFAS move into plants more easily, while compost-rich soils can slow them down. Using contaminated water for irrigation also increases the risk, since roots are the main way PFAS enter plants.


Growing your own food or buying from a local farm often feels safer, and it can be. PFAS can still be present; it all depends on your environment. The main risks come from the history of your soil and the water you use. If your garden soil was ever treated with sewage sludge or compost made from waste, there’s a higher chance that PFAS are present. Many people don’t realize that some commercial composts, even those labeled “organic,” can contain PFAS. ("Chemicals in sewage sludge fertilizer pose cancer risk, EPA says", 2025)

Where you live matters as well. If you’re near an airport, military base, landfill, or industrial site that used firefighting foam or PFAS chemicals, your soil and air are more likely to have these residues. In North Carolina, for example, airborne PFAS from a chemical plant contaminated backyard gardens miles away, even when the soil hadn’t been treated. ("Residential Garden Produce Harvested Near a Fluorochemical Manufacturer in North Carolina Can Be An Important Fluoroether Exposure Pathway", 2024)


Plant growing in soil

4. Store-Bought Produce: Is It Safer?

Some studies have found PFAS in grocery store produce. (Perkins, 2023) One project found the chemicals in 7 out of 8 kale samples, with levels reaching up to 300 parts per trillion. (Perkins, 2023) Even organic produce isn't completely free of PFAS. (Perkins, 2023) Emissions from chemical plants can contaminate nearby farms and gardens, sometimes more than water does. ("Residents near Lancashire chemicals plant told to wash homegrown produce", 2024) In North Carolina, all 53 backyard produce samples near a chemical plant had PFAS. (Meng, 2024) All of this means PFAS contamination is widespread, and even store-bought foods aren't always safe.


men shopping a in a grocery store for produce

5. Backyard Gardens & Local Farms: Risk or Relief?

Homegrown produce isn’t automatically safe from PFAS exposure. Fruits and vegetables can absorb PFAS when grown in contaminated soil or irrigated with tainted water. That said, most research suggests that unless someone is eating large amounts of garden produce year-round, the contribution of PFAS from fruits and vegetables is relatively minor when compared to drinking water exposure. Typically, water can account for over 70% of one's PFAS intake. ("Tap Water Contributions to Plasma Concentrations of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in a Nationwide Prospective Cohort of U.S. Women", 2023) This highlights the importance of considering all possible exposure pathways. Still, there are cases where gardens have been severely impacted by airborne emissions.

The good news is there are ways to lower your risk. Growing food in raised beds with clean, store-bought soil or buying from regenerative farms can help limit PFAS. Avoid compost made with biosolids or sewage sludge, and use trusted compost or soil amendments instead. Some researchers are testing things like biochar to help bind PFAS in soil. ("Tackling PFAS Contamination of Farm Land in Unity, Maine Using Biochar", 2024) Simple steps like peeling root vegetables and washing produce well can also help. Using clean, tested water for irrigation is important, too. Choosing fruits and grains, which usually have less PFAS than leafy greens or broccoli, is another way to reduce risk.


farm produce stand laden with different kinds of produce, ie tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables.

6. Simple Tips to Lower PFAS in Your Produce

  • Use raised garden beds with fresh soil. (Levin Law).

  • Skip sludge-derived composts; choose clean, tested compost (Barn Raiser, Levin Law).

  • Add soil amendments like biochars to reduce PFAS availability (NIFA Reporting Portal).

  • Prefer fruits and grains; peel root veggies and wash greens thoroughly (Levin Law, Barn Raiser).

  • Test and use clean irrigation water (NC DPH Epidemiology).

  • Stay informed on PFAS site maps if near industrial areas. (map)

  • When purchasing compost, prioritize products from a closed-loop regenerative farm. These farms minimize or eliminate the use of external inputs by recycling all nutrients and organic matter within their system. This practice significantly reduces the risk of PFAS contamination from external sources like biosolids, creating a more sustainable and safer product for your garden.


    hands holding dark compost rich soil

7. Conclusion

Neither store-bought nor home-grown produce is inherently "safer" or "less contaminated" than the other. The risk of PFAS exposure is entirely dependent on the specific environmental conditions where the food was grown.

A person growing produce in a backyard with a known PFAS-contaminated water supply or using contaminated compost is at a higher risk than a person buying produce grown on a commercial farm with clean water and no history of biosolids application. Conversely, a person buying produce from a contaminated farm is at a higher risk than a person with a backyard garden in a pristine environment. To effectively minimize your risk, consider taking immediate action by checking your local water report today. This simple step can provide crucial insights into potential contamination sources and empower you to make informed decisions about your produce and overall health. Local water reports can often be accessed through your municipal or county health department's website, or by contacting local government offices. They may offer online databases or downloadable PDF documents outlining the quality and safety of water in your area.


The most effective way to minimize your exposure is to be informed about your local environment and take proactive steps, such as testing your water and soil if you are concerned, and sourcing clean materials for your garden. This includes, if you're purchasing from a local farm, being sure to know your farmer and find out what they do to help limit PFAS contamination on their farm.

Here are some questions you might consider asking a local farmer:


  • Do you use compost or soil amendments made from biosolids (treated sewage sludge)? A regenerative farm that controls its inputs—especially if it’s closed-loop and doesn’t take in outside sludge or waste—would generally be considered a safe and good choice for building soil. It won’t be “guaranteed PFAS-free” (almost nothing is, these days), but it’s far less risky than bagged composts or biosolid-based amendments

  • Where do you source your irrigation water? Ask if it's from a municipal supply, a well, or a pond, and if they have tested it for PFAS.

  • What is the history of the land? The farmer may know if the land was ever used for industrial purposes or if it has a known history of biosolids application.

  • Are you part of any state or federal PFAS-related assistance programs? States like Maine and Michigan have proactive programs to help farmers test for and remediate PFAS contamination. This can be a good sign that the farmer is taking the issue seriously.


8. How This Pertains to Sunrise Hollow Farm.

The good news is that Sunrise Hollow Farm is already taking many of the right steps to limit PFAS exposure. Located just outside Union City, Pennsylvania, the farm is committed to regenerative, no-till gardening and uses sustainable farming practices that go beyond organic standards. This focus on regenerative agriculture is a key indicator of our commitment to soil health and minimizing external inputs. While our farm is diligent in its efforts, we recognize that it's important for all of us to stay informed about potential environmental factors in our area. Acknowledging this allows us to appreciate the farm's proactive measures while remaining transparent about the challenges inherent in managing PFAS contamination.


Here's how Sunrise Hollow Farm's approach aligns with the tips for reducing PFAS:


  • Sourcing Materials: We are dedicated to regenerative practices by avoiding biosolids and outside matter. We are committed to building soil health through natural methods. We work to create a closed-loop system, recycling all nutrients and organic matter on-site, which further reduces the risk of contamination from external sources.

  • Crop Selection & Processing: We grow a variety of produce, including vegetables and herbs.  This constantly builds and renews the soil, ensuring no nutrients are depleted. While leafy greens and root vegetables can be more susceptible to PFAS uptake, the farm's overall commitment to clean farming practices helps mitigate this risk.

  • Soil Health: Our no-till, regenerative practices prioritize a healthy, living soil ecosystem. This approach reduces the need for external fertilizers, which can be a major source of PFAS contamination if they are derived from biosolids.

  • Water Sourcing: Our Union City, PA, location is a significant factor in our clean farming. Although a water treatment plant with a similar name in Florida has reported PFAS issues, there is no evidence of contamination at our farm. Our gardens are not irrigated; they are fed exclusively by rainwater. During droughts, we use our well water, which is regularly tested to ensure it remains safe for crops. Testing is conducted prior to every planting season. This consistent monitoring underlines our dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment.


Ask us about our specific practices regarding compost and water, and we welcome your questions about our commitment to regenerative farming. When you support farms that are transparent and proactive about environmental health, you're not only getting cleaner food but also helping to build a more sustainable food system for everyone. We believe in our practices and want you to feel confident about the food you put on your table.


9. Reference Links

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating

7679 Wattsburg-Waterford Rd, Union City PA 16438

Pick-up and Local Delivery Available

Operating Hours

Phone: 814-403-5814

Mon-Sat 10am - 2pm

Closed Sunday

By Appointment

Get the Latest News & Updates from Our Farm

Thanks for subscribing!

© 2023 Sunrise Hollow. Powered and secured by Wix

bottom of page