Organic food is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Instead, natural methods like composting, crop rotation, and natural predators are used to produce healthy food. Organic food cannot be genetically modified or contain artificial additives, growth hormones or antibiotics.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the word "organic" on labels. The Canada organic logo is only allowed on 95% organic or higher products that have been certified according to strict Canadian Organic Standards.

When you go organic, you are investing in your overall health and supporting more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and humane practices.

Why Go Organic?

Decreases your exposure to toxins.

Organic food is free of toxins and harmful chemicals. When you buy non-organic food, there are pesticides, heavy metals and other chemical residues that remain. When these toxins enter your body, they wreak havoc on your hormones, liver, and overall health. For instance, toxic chemicals like glyphosate, atrazine, and chlorpyrifos are endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive harm and cancer.

More nutritious.

Fresh, organic foods are more nutritious and contain higher amounts of antioxidants than conventionally produced foods. They have more nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and micronutrients because the soil is managed and nourished with sustainable practices.

Better for your gut.

Your gut will thank you because the enzymes in organic produce are still alive, meaning it will be easier to digest! In conventional produce, enzymes are destroyed by chemical fertilizers.

Fresh and local.

Since organic food doesn't contain preservatives, it's often grown locally. Local food is harvested when it's ripe, so it's fresh and more flavourful. You can feel good knowing you're supporting local farmers and producers, and farm-fresh organic foods taste much better!

Better for the environment.

Certified organic standards do not permit toxic chemicals in farming. Agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers are contaminating our environment and are poisoning our water supplies. By choosing organic, you're supporting a more sustainable option because it conserves natural resources, reduces water and air pollution, counteracts climate change, replenishes the soil, and promotes biodiversity.

Animal welfare.

Organic meat, dairy or eggs are subject to standards for the humane treatment of livestock. Organically raised animals cannot be given antibiotics or hormones. They must be given organic feed and be able to roam and graze on pastures grown on healthy soil.

Switching to Organic

Don't feel like you have to switch to eating 100% organic right away. Start by making small changes and build up from there.

Follow the Dirty Dozen

A list of 12 crops exposed to the highest amounts of pesticides. These are the crops you should buy organic.

Strawberries

Spinach

Kale, collard and mustard greens

Nectarines

Apples

Grapes

Bell and hot pepper

Cherries

Peaches

Pears

Celery

Tomatoes

Refer to the Clean Fifteen

A list of the 15 cleanest conventionally-farmed crops, those least likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues. If you can't go completely organic, these are the crops you should buy conventionally.

Avocado

Sweet corn

Pineapple

Onion

Papaya

Sweet peas (frozen)

Asparagus

Honeydew melon

Kiwi

Cabbage

Mushrooms

Cantaloupe

Mango

Watermelon

Sweet potato

Xx,

Lauren