1. Consider this: more than 1/3 of the world’s food production relies on bees for pollination.¹ But there’s a band of toxins on the loose, and they’re called neonicotinoid insecticides. They’ve been implicated in the declining honey bee population.^{2 3}
2. Is organic better for the soil? That’s a big YES. Organic farming has been shown to increase soil health and microbial biodiversity!⁴
3. The USDA Organic Seal stands for the most strictly regulated food system in the U.S. It’s the only one that bans antibiotics, growth hormones, GMOs, synthetic fertilizers, and toxic, persistent pesticides. Independent inspectors routinely verify compliance—backing this seal with proof you can trust.
4. 2,000 is the estimated number of synthetic substances that can be added to conventional packed foods! The government leaves the proof of safety to the manufacturers without requiring third-party or federal oversight.⁷
5. SHRINK YOUR MENU’S CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH ORGANIC. Compared to conventional farming, organic uses 45% less energy, emits 40% less carbon, and builds healthier soils, shown to store up to 44% more carbon.
6. Are you sipping on extra chemicals in your favorite cup of tea? Dehydrating the plants that make tea can increase pesticide residues by as much as four times, and water-soluble pesticide residues can infuse into your beverage.⁹ Let’s all have a cuppa organic!
7. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are not something you want in your next burger or chicken sandwich. Choose organic to lower your risk of encountering them! A recent study found that both the production and the processing of Certified Organic meat resulted in a “significantly lower prevalence” of these unsavory microbes.^{10 11}
8. A recent study comparing organic and conventional cacao farms in Ghana measured six ways organic chocolate does it better: 20% higher profitability, 26% more biodiversity, 27% greater gender equality, 29% less water use, 24% less land degradation, and 22% fewer greenhouse gases.¹²
9. Adverse effects from glyphosate exposure in childhood can follow you into adulthood! An 18+ year study found that kids with higher urinary levels of glyphosate breakdown chemicals had a 14% greater chance of elevated liver enzymes as adults and a 55% higher risk of developing metabolic disorders.¹³ Organic says NO to glyphosate!
10. 9.4 million tons of glyphosate have been sprayed on fields around the planet since 1974, according to the most current estimate from a 2016 study. That’s more than 2,300 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of carcinogenic pesticides and counting!^{14 15} Not by organic farmers, though, because organic agriculture prohibits glyphosate.
11. Occasionally, organic farmers must use a non-natural or nonorganic substance because nothing else is available and the need is critical. However, organic consumers can rest easy knowing that the National Organic Standards Board strictly regulates the use of such alternatives. A thorough evaluation of every proposed input is conducted and only allowed if its use is not harmful to human health or the environment.¹⁶
12. Keep hearing that organic can’t feed the planet? Organic yields outperform conventional by 30% during periods of extreme weather, according to the long-running (40+ years) Rodale Farming Systems Trial.  And yields are similar to conventional during normal conditions.¹⁷
13. Synthetic fungicides, like the hormone-disrupting substances imazalil and thiabendazole, aren’t allowed in organic production. However, almost 90% of conventional citrus samples had residue of one or both, according to Environmental Working Group (EWG) tests.¹⁸  
14. One strawberry is too tiny to carry 10+ pesticide residues, don’t you think? That’s how many residues 30% of conventional strawberries contained in the most recent USDA tests.¹⁹ Organic strawberries do it better!
15. Sunshine and blue sky aren’t genetically modified, and guess what else is always naturally Non-GMO? Organic produce!²⁰
16. Eat organic for the climate. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer used in conventional farming is a major source of potent greenhouse gas emissions from nitrous oxide (N2O). Organic farming releases 50% less new reactive nitrogen pollution to the environment than conventional farming and recycles it through compost and manure.²¹
17. ‘Tis the season to enjoy cozy fall fruit—like pears, but the news on conventional pears is not-so-great. In 2010, only 3% of pears had residue of five or more pesticides in USDA tests. In 2021-2022, that number increased to 61%!²²  We’ll stick with organic.
18. 100% of the produce at Natural Grocers is USDA Certified Organic + 100% of our produce is naturally Non-GMO + There’s no risk of cross-contamination or co-mingling. No worries...priceless!
19. Did you know...ketchup made from organic tomatoes has higher antioxidant content than ketchup made from conventional tomatoes?²³
20. We know organic produce takes the cake (carrot cake, of course) for having higher levels of nutrients that are good4u^SM. The icing on top? It also has lower levels of unhealthy extras—like the toxic metal cadmium.²⁴
21. Here’s the unsavory scoop on conventional spices—residues of 24 different pesticides were detected on six popular spices, and maximum allowed residue levels were exceeded in oregano and thyme!²⁴ We’re happy to say that Natural Grocers bulk herbs & spices are 100% organic—toxic synthetic pesticides aren’t allowed.
22. One of the largest dead zones in the world forms in the Gulf of Mexico every summer, and sometimes it’s as big as New Jersey! It’s called a dead zone because there isn’t enough dissolved oxygen in the water to support life, and one of the leading causes is chemical fertilizer runoff.
23. Organic farming is good for the whole neighborhood. In areas where it’s on the rise, known as organic “hot” spots, the nearby median household income is rising too, by over $2,000!²⁷
24. Onions are an excellent source of the flavonoids quercetin and anthocyanin—free radical scavengers that help maintain cellular health. But organic onions are even better! In a six-year study comparing organic and conventional onions, organic came out on top—with up to 50% more flavonoids!²⁸
25. Eat your nutrient-dense spinach—but make it organic! According to the Environmental Working Group, spinach has more pesticide residues by weight than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.²⁹
26. Everybody wants the best pregnancy possible, and organic veggies (and other organic foods) are happy to help. Studies show that consuming them “often” or “frequently” is associated with a healthy pregnancy.^{30 31}
27. Synthetic pesticides don’t do little brains any favors. One study found kids with higher levels of organophosphate metabolites—a neurotoxic pesticide used on some fruits and veggies—were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD!^{32 33}
28. A CDC analysis found 87% of children and 80% of adults had detectable levels of glyphosate—the most-used herbicide in the U.S.—in their urine. Food was the main exposure route for kids. Choose organic to reduce glyphosate exposure.
29. Studies show switching to an organic diet significantly reduces pesticide metabolites in urine. One study found an 89% drop after participants ate 80% organic for just one week!
30. Eating organic gives you more nutritional bang for your buck! One major study found that organic fruits, veggies, and grains deliver 20 to 40% more antioxidants—the equivalent in nutrient density of two extra servings of produce a day. ³⁷

References:

1. United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Why bees are essential to people and planet. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-bees-are-essential-peop…
2. Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. (n.d.). Neonicotinoids and bees: a risk assessment. In Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/16-023_01_XercesSoc_Exec…
3. Neonicotinoids 101: The effects on humans and bees. (2024, March 26). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/neonicotinoids-101-effects-humans-and-bees
4. Zschaeffer. (2019b, April 25). 10 Ways organic Improves soil health. Rodale Institute. https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/10-ways-organic-improves-soil-health/#…
5. USDA Certified Organic: Understanding the Basics | Agricultural Marketing Service. (n.d.). https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/organic-basics
6. International Trade Partners | Agricultural Marketing Service. (n.d.). https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/international-t…
7. Organic: the original clean food. (2019, March 5). Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/research/packagedorganic
8. Kobylewski, S., & Jacobson, M. F. (2012). Toxicology of food dyes. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 18(3), 220–246. https://doi.org/10.1179/1077352512z.00000000034
9. Hunter, K., & Sciligo, PhD, A. (n.d.). The Benefits of Organic Spices, Herbs, and Teas. In https://organic-center.org. https://organic-center.org/. https://organic-center.org/sites/default/files/publication_files/the_be…
10. Innes, G. K., Nachman, K. E., Abraham, A. G., Casey, J. A., Patton, A. N., Price, L. B., Tartof, S. Y., & Davis, M. F. (2021). Contamination of Retail Meat Samples with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Relation to Organic and Conventional Production and Processing: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data from the United States National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, 2012–2017. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(5). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp7327
11. Fewer drug-resistant microbes found in organic meat. (2021, May 18). CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/fewer-drug-resistant-microbes-found-organic-…
12. Bandanaa, J., Asante, I. K., Egyir, I. S., Schader, C., Annang, T. Y., Blockeel, J., Kadzere, I., & Heidenreich, A. (2021). Sustainability performance of organic and conventional cocoa farming systems in Atwima Mponua District of Ghana. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 11, 100121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2021.100121
13. Childhood exposure to glyphosate linked to adulthood liver and metabolic disorders | The Organic Center. (n.d.). https://www.organic-center.org/research/childhood-exposure-glyphosate-l…
14. Main, D. (2016, February 2). Glyphosate Now the Most-Used agricultural Chemical ever. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/glyphosate-now-most-used-agricultural-chemical…
15. Benbrook, C. (2016). Trends in glyphosate herbicide use in the United States and globally. Environ Sci Eur. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5044953/
16. Organic Trade Association. (n.d.). [NATIONAL LIST CRITERIA: INSIDE THE REVIEW PROCESS]. In Organic Trade Association. https://ota.com/sites/default/files/indexed_files/OTA%20Resource%20-%20…
17. Rodale Institute. (2024, June 21). Farming Systems Trial - Rodale Institute. https://rodaleinstitute.org/science/farming-systems-trial/
18. Fungicides commonly found on citrus linked to breast cancer risk. (2021, May 10). Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2021/05/fungicides-commonly-foun…
19. Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Pesticides + Poison Gases = Cheap, Year-Round Strawberries #DirtyDozen | @ewg |. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/strawberries.php
20. Can GMOs be used in organic products? | Agricultural Marketing Service. (n.d.). https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/can-gmos-be-used-organic-…
21. Shade, J. & The Organic Center. (n.d.). How organic can help curb nitrogen pollution. https://www.organic-center.org/sites/default/files/project/2020/04/toc_…
22. Environmental Working Group. (n.d.-a). Pears, with an extra helping of pesticides, remain on @EWG’s #DirtyDozen. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/pears.php
23. Vallverdú-Queralt, A., Medina-Remón, A., Casals-Ribes, I., Amat, M., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (2011). A Metabolomic Approach Differentiates between Conventional and Organic Ketchups. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(21), 11703–11710. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf202822s
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25. Reinholds, I., Pugajeva, I., Bavrins, K., Kuckovska, G., & Bartkevics, V. (2016). Mycotoxins, pesticides and toxic metals in commercial spices and herbs. Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B, Surveillance, 10(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2016.1210244
26. Dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. (n.d.). https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/deadzonegulf/
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28. Organic onions richer in flavonoids | ACS Publications Chemistry Blog. (2017, July 6). ACS Publications Chemistry Blog. https://axial.acs.org/agriculture-and-food-chemistry/organic-onions-ric…
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31. Torjusen, H., Lieblein, G., Næs, T., Haugen, M., Meltzer, H. M., & Brantsæter, A. L. (2012). Food patterns and dietary quality associated with organic food consumption during pregnancy; data from a large cohort of pregnant women in Norway. BMC Public Health, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-612
32. Pesticides, B. (2015, February 2). Commonly used pyrethroid pesticide increases risk of ADHD. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog. https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2015/02/commonly-used-pyreth…
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35. Hyland, C., Bradman, A., Gerona, R., Patton, S., Zakharevich, I., Gunier, R. B., & Klein, K. (2019). Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults. Environmental Research, 171, 568–575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.024
36. Oates, L., Cohen, M., Braun, L., Schembri, A., & Taskova, R. (2014). Reduction in urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites in adults after a week-long organic diet. Environmental Research, 132, 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.03.021
37. Major study documents benefits of organic farming | WSU Insider |Washington State University. (2014, July 11). https://archive.news.wsu.edu/press-release/2014/07/11/major-study-docum…