Are you overwhelmed by marketing claims at the grocery store? You could spend hours investigating labels and still feel flummoxed. That’s where The Cornucopia Institute comes in.
Cornucopia is a watchdog organization that advocates for community-scale organic farming and safeguards the integrity of the organic label. It believes consumers have the right to make informed choices about the food they eat and turns its research into tools for smarter shopping.
Purchasing choices are one of the most powerful ways to influence the food system. Whether you’re avoiding toxic pesticides or resisting the corporate-controlled industrial food system, your dollars matter.
Cornucopia helps keep values-based brands on the shelves and community-scale organic farms on the land with these tools and tips:
Support Independence
Independent organic brands and independent retailers are part of an ecosystem that’s keeping independent organic farms in business. And they’re increasingly rewarded by discerning shoppers who expect transparency in the food system and want their purchases to support their values around biodiversity and human and soil health.
To Do
Consult Cornucopia’s Who Owns Organic List to learn who owns your favorite brands and keep Big Food out of your kitchen when possible.
Extra Credit
Swap a corporate-owned brand for an indie one and ask your local grocer for recommendations.
Know Your Local Organic Farmers
Support them when you can. These growers keep our plates packed with flavorful and nutritious produce. Seek out their unusual varietals and help keep them in production.
To Do
Check Cornucopia’s organic berry and tomato maps to find certified organic farmers near you.
Go Behind the Barn Doors
Organic standards vary in practice. Cornucopia’s scorecards rate certified organic dairy, beef, poultry, eggs, and more, helping you identify brands that meet—or exceed—your expectations.
To Do
See which top-rated brands are available at your community grocer.
Extra Credit
Let your favorite food store know that you’re using Cornucopia’s scorecards. Ask if they are too.
Use Your Voice
Cornucopia monitors organic policy and alerts people to opportunities to comment on rulemaking and speak directly to USDA. Stay tuned for ways to turn your passion into action in support of organic food and farmers. (Let your local organic farmer know you’re following along!)
To Do
Join Cornucopia’s eNews to stay engaged.
Be Curious About Your Food
Start with just one category, maybe dairy or plant-based beverages. Discover a new, top-rated, or independently owned organic product to support. Do the best you can with the resources you have. Be an active participant in the food system by aiming to learn more about your choices.
To Do
Congratulations, you’re already doing it by reading this article!
The Cornucopia Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funded primarily by individuals like you. Learn more and support this work at cornucopia.org.
