When it comes to grocery shopping, only you can decide what to put in your cart.
With USDA Organic, you get a lot.
You get more than empty, feel-good jargon.
Unlike wishy-washy terms like “all-natural,” “sustainable,” or “green,” the term “USDA Organic” is protected by law. See how “organic” stacks up against different labels in this convenient chart from Friends of the Earth.
Organic operations are inspected yearly by third-party, accredited experts like CCOF. Certifiers are independent from the USDA (CCOF was started by a group of organic farmers over 50 years ago) and ensure that all certified businesses meet strict organic standards. All organic products are traced from farm to store. The whole process is shaped by public input. It’s a transparent, rigorous label that’s strictly enforced according to national legal standards.
You get less pesticide residue in your body.
According to a study of nearly 4,500 people in the U.S. who eat similar amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who ate organic produce had significantly lower levels of organophosphate pesticide exposures than those eating conventionally grown produce. Other studies find similar results.
According to another study, an organic diet can reduce the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and colorectal cancers.
You get sustainable farming practices that result in nutritious, delicious food.
Organic farmers work with the land to produce delicious They do this using only natural fertilizers and eco-friendly pest control, so they’re protecting the farmworkers who harvest the food, the people who eat it, and the beneficial pollinators that complete the natural crop cycle.
You get clean water to drink and clean air to breathe.
Organic farmers use careful farming practices that protect soil and water from harmful runoff. This especially impacts the communities who live and attend school in agricultural areas. However, you don’t need to live in an agricultural area to benefit directly from organic farming. Harmful residues travel through air and water, so organic farming practices benefit everyone.
You get peace of mind about animal welfare.
Organic livestock live according to a strict set of rules that ensure they live according to their natural behavior, including access to the outdoors and ability to roam freely. Organic grazing animals must be allowed to graze on rich, nutritious, certified–organic grass, not kept in tight, overcrowded areas. This difference shows up in the final product; organic dairy has healthier fat profiles than conventional dairy because of the animals’ grazing and forage-based diet.
You get no GMOS, ever.
The USDA Organic seal on a product always guarantees that it’s free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Eat without GMO worries!
You get no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Organic food is always free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Organic foods are the closest you’ll get to going back in time to an era when family farms served fresh, wholesome ingredients straight to the dinner table.
Need more reasons to buy USDA Organic?
Looking for more reasons to fill your shopping cart with delicious organic fruits, veggies, grains, cheeses, and meats? Here are 50!
