The Best Organic Food Companies for Healthy Grocery Shopping in 2024
Organic food is on the radar of many health-conscious consumers, but a lot of people still don't know exactly what it means or why it is important. Eating organic food is an easy way to reduce the chemicals and harmful substances in our diets.
Throughout this article, we will discuss the some of best organic food brands currently in the market. Our goal is to prepare you with the knowledge that you need to make healthy decisions for you and your loved ones.
This guide will feature a few lessons on sustainable agriculture with organic farming practices and introduce you to some of the best companies making and growing organic products.
This post does contain some affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase The Honest Consumer may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
What is Organic Food?
Organic food looks slightly different depending on the type of food such as produce, meat, or packaged goods.
Organic produce is produced using methods that comply with the standards of organic farming. Organic farming practices are designed to promote soil and water conservation, reduce pollution, minimize climate change, and preserve biodiversity.
Animals used for organic meat must be raised on certified organic land without hormones or antibiotics and fed only organically grown feed.
Organic food is grown with less synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemical inputs. Instead, it relies on natural substances such as compost and manure to maintain soil fertility and control pests.
Organic farmers also use crop rotation, cover crops, and other techniques to keep soils healthy and reduce the need for chemicals.
Organically grown foods have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds than conventionally grown foods. Additionally, many people report that organic produce tastes better and is more flavorful than conventional produce.
For packaged goods this typically means a certain percentage of their ingredients are organic.
the Benefits of Organic Foods
Organic foods have many benefits for both your health and the environment. Eating organic can reduce your exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, plus it supports sustainable farming practices. We’ll dive deeper into the benefits later!
What is USDA Certification?
Organic certification from the USDA is like a gold star for organic food products.
It means that the product has met strict rules and regulations set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These rules include limits on the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, and genetic engineering.
These rules also require the use of organic-specific farming practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping.
It's also important to acknowledge that the USDA Certification requires time and resources some small farms or brands don't have.
There are plenty of small family farms using organic practices that do not have the official certification. So if you're shopping for local foods at your farmer's market don't be afraid to ask about organic farming practices or organic ingredients in packaged goods.
12 Organic Food Brands to Try
If you're ready to try some quality products with great taste then these organic options are for you! This list features some of the top organic food brands that are a good option for anybody with a healthy lifestyle.
Mary’s Gone Crackers
Mary’s Gone Crackers are my personal go-to for snacking! Their products are minimally processed from consciously and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Mary’s Gone Crackers are non-GMO and certified organic! They are so tasty too!
Organic Valley - a Farmer Initiative
Organic Valley is a farmer-owned cooperative. They produce food with integrity and care for the planet. Their mission is to bring organic, sustainable farming practices to consumers to create a healthier environment and promote social justice.
Organic Valley strives to provide the highest quality organic dairy, eggs and meat, that are not just sustainably produced but also delicious.
Their farmers have a deep respect for the land, animals, and people they work with ensuring that their products are responsibly sourced and handled. Organic Valley has a goal to support organic agriculture, animal welfare, sustainability, and local communities.
I really love Organic Valley’s organic butter and organic lactose free milk!
Sakara's Organic Meal Delivery Service
Sakara’s nutrition philosophy is to provide life-changing organic meals backed by traditional healing wisdom and nutrition science along with ingredients you can trust.
They provide global flavors-inspired whole foods and plant-based diets based on their 9 pillars of nutrition. Their organic plant-based meals are ready to eat and don't require any cooking.
I’ve personally tried Sakara and had a great experience. You can read my Sakara Signature Program review and my Sakara Metabolism Reset review.
The food was incredibly fresh and allowed me to eat healthy & organic food without having to think twice about it.
Sakara is one of the more expensive options at $70 per day, $420 per week for a recurring subscription, or $440 as a one-time offer. Use the discount code HONESTSAKARA to save 20% on your first Sakara order!
Thrive Market's Healthy Living Marketplace with Organic Food
Thrive Market is an online store for healthy food and sustainable living. Thrive Market has a range of goods from different brands.
Thrive Market also has their own product line featuring organic items such as pasta sauce, nuts, coffee, canned vegetables, snacks, chocolate, and more.
Some of my favorite organic food items from Thrive Market are the black beans, kidney beans, canned tomatoes, olive oil, and other pantry staples. Be sure to read my full Thrive Market review too!
Plus, use my referral link for 40% off your first Thrive Market order. This is a great way to help you save money on organic groceries.
Annie’s Organic Mac n Cheese & Snacks
Annie's believes in bettering the world through their food. Their commitment to organic and sustainable practices makes them a stand out from other food producers.
They use sustainably sourced and non-GMO ingredients in all of their products, making sure what you eat is healthy, safe, and delicious.
From their mac n’ cheese to their baking mixes, Annie's offers a variety of top-notch food for everyone to enjoy. With Annie's commitment to sustainability, you can be sure that the food you're eating is good for both you and the environment.
I personally love their Gluten Free Mac N Cheese! It’s a great option for lunch!
Eden Organics Good Quality Pantry Staples
Eden Foods is a Michigan-based company with a mission to provide organic and natural foods that are sourced from sustainable, responsible farming practices.
With over fifty years of experience in the food industry, Eden has become the go-to source for those seeking healthy and delicious pantry staples.
The variety of products they offer includes top-quality organic ingredients like grains, beans, spices, condiments, and more.
All of their products are certified organic and grown without toxins or pesticides. Additionally, Eden Foods also works with several organizations to ensure that their standards for sustainable farming practices are met.
I always purchase Eden’s organic beans in my Thrive Market order! You can also find Eden’s at most health food grocery stores and on Amazon.
Splendid Spoon's Plant-Based Foods
Splendid Spoon provides plant-based and ready-to-eat gluten-free food that is already cooked and delivered chilled to your door. Splendid Spoon also has soups, grain bowls, and noodles which are low in sugar and sodium and enjoyed widely by their users.
As far as high quality and organic ingredients it's reported that on top of using only non-GMO ingredients, 95% of Splendid Spoons smoothies are organic.
For the grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes, organic ingredients are sourced whenever possible, especially foods on the “Dirty Dozen” list, which is a list of fruits and vegetables that are most likely to contain pesticide residue.
Pete and Gerry’s - the Eggcelent Farm
Pete and Gerry's is dedicated to providing the highest-quality, organic eggs for all of your culinary needs. Their free-range chickens are humanely treated in an environment that allows them to express their natural behaviors, keeping them healthy and happy.
They believe in sustainable farming practices and use only non-GMO feed for their hens. Their eggs are rich in flavor and nutrition, coming from the most humanely-raised hens on earth.
From farm to your table, Pete and Gerry's proudly provides delicious, organic eggs that you can trust.
CocoaX's Organic Cocoa & Coffee
This cocoa brand was founded by single mother Joan Hall, CocoaX’s mission is to bring delicious cocoa with espresso to households across the country.
To do this, she only uses ethical suppliers that don’t use sprays with harmful chemicals during the farming process.
CocoaX offers organic cocoa + espresso and instant cold brew!
Sun and Swell - Organic snacks
Sun & Swell Foods is a mission-driven company focused on creating healthier and more sustainable snack options. They believe everyone should have access to real, natural, and nutrient-rich foods without compromising taste or convenience.
They offer delicious organic snacks that are packed with nutrition and sustainably sourced from farms around the world. Their snacks are made with only the highest quality ingredients and never contain artificial preservatives or flavors.
Sun & Swell
They want to make healthy eating easy, so their snacks are ready-to-eat right out of the bag.
In addition to this, they use compostable packaging that can be composted at home or if this is not an option for you feel free to send the packaging back to the company for composting. How cool is that!
KENCKO’S ORGANIC SMOOTHIES AND BOWLS
Kencko is an organic smoothie subscription service that creates blenderless smoothies using freeze-dried organic fruits and veggies to capture the nutrients of fresh produce in a shelf-stable form, reducing spoilage in the supply chain and helping consumers to waste up to 30% less.
On top of their organic smoothies they also have balanced bowls for an easy organic plant-based lunch.
Alden’s Organic Ice Cream
Alden’s is an organic ice cream brand that sources their organic milk and cream from family owned farms where cows enjoy plenty of fresh air, graze a minimum of 120 days, and eat feed that is 100% organic.
This ice cream brand is USDA certified organic and even offers vegan ice cream options.
I personally LOVE their organic vanilla ice cream and think you can taste a difference with the high quality ingredients they use.
Green Chef USDA Certified Organic Meal Delivery Company
Green Chef is a USDA certified organic company that offers different clean meal plans with fresh, sustainable ingredients that suit whatever lifestyle you lead.
Green Chef has great options for people on a specific diet and food allergies. Some of their plans include keto+ paleo, Mediterranean, fast & fit, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
With Green Chef, you can also not commit fully i.e.-skip weeks in advance if you are going on holiday. Be sure to check out my Green Chef review for the pros & cons!
The packaging they use is eco-friendly and made from recyclable, reusable, and compostable materials. Green Chef's fresh meals start at $9 a serving.
Plus, as of 2024 they have an online grocery market!
Where Can I Buy Food from These Organic Companies?
While some of these companies sell directly on their website, you can also purse these organic products at a health food store such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or Thrive Market.
Availability will depend on what grocery stores and products are available in your area.
On top of these stores consider shopping at your local farmers market to find organic fresh fruits, vegetables, meat from local farms, and other clean foods.
Is Organic Food a Healthier Choice?
When it comes to our diets, choosing organic foods can have many health benefits.
Organic foods are grown with limited use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and they also don't contain any genetically modified ingredients.
This means that organic foods are free from harmful chemicals and may be better for your health than conventionally grown produce.
Additionally, organic farming practices are more environmentally friendly, since they rely on natural methods to grow food instead of relying on synthetic chemicals.
Organically grown meat also doesn’t contain any hormones or antibiotics, making them a healthier choice than conventionally produced meat.
So while organic foods may cost more than their conventionally grown counterparts, they can be worth the extra price for the health benefits and environmental protection that they offer.
Why is Organic Food Better for our Environment?
Organic food is a healthier and better choice for the environment.
It is grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other synthetic substances that can contaminate our water and soil.
Organic farming also promotes healthy ecosystems, as it relies on natural methods of pest control like crop rotation and companion planting instead of harsh chemicals.
By avoiding these chemicals, organic farming reduces the risk of water and soil contamination, which can have lasting effects on our environment. This creates better soil quality.
Additionally, organic farming methods help to promote biodiversity which in turn assists to protect plants and animals. This style of farming acknowledges that every part of the ecosystem is essential to the survival and overall health of the crop.
Hopefully this guide helped you learn the importance of the organic food industry and find some organic brands to try!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer. She has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She currently lives in Seattle where she practices imperfect sustainability. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, clean eating, ethical fashion, and practicing slow living.
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