The food we put into our bodies directly impacts our health. Health is our primary goal here at Hummingbird. The Organic seal is the only label claim federally certified to always be non-GMO and produced without harmful pesticides, chemical preservatives, or antibiotics. With these standards our opportunity to make better choices for our health are improved.
- Pesticide residues in organic produce are 55× lower in vegetables and 115× lower in fruits versus conventional produce
- Organic practices protect frontline farmworkers, who experience the most danger of acute exposure and health consequences
- Organic food is GMO-free. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding, most commonly in order to be resistant to pesticides or produce an insecticide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic certification provides assurances that the production methods meet or exceed strict standards. When you see the “USDA Organic” label, it means that at least 95 percent of the food’s ingredients were organically produced.
Supporting local economies, sustaining communities
Organic is good for individuals and good for communities. If social justice and rural economic development are important for your company, Organic is always the better choice.
- Clusters of organic businesses are correlated with reduced poverty, increased median household income, and higher participation in the labor force
- Access to farmer cooperatives, training and support services, and the integration of traditional knowledge are among the most important benefits of organic agriculture, as reported by small-holder farmers globally
- Organic creates better opportunities for farmers. This year, USDA invested $300M to help more farmers transition to organic production
At Hummingbird, we are on a mission to offer Organic, high-quality, nutritious foods grown as locally and sustainably as possible. We believe in the value of Certified Organic agriculture and food for the health of people and animals, the health of our communities and economies, and the health of the planet. That is why we are sharing this multi-part series blog on the value of Organic.
See the other posts in the series:
The graphic and stats are from the Organic Trade Association's Organic Opportunity Communications Toolkit.
PHOTO TOP: In the middle of wild Alaska, Roman reads the back of the Mango snack label about Charlie & Julie's big, crazy goal of a completely Organic Oregon, and an Organic World!