If the idea of "going organic" feels a little overwhelming, start small.
September shines a spotlight on all things organic, and we couldn’t be more excited. While we're big fans of organic every day of the year, Organic Month is your reminder that small swaps can add up.
If you've been curious about choosing organic more often, now's a great time to start with a few easy switch-ups that fit right into your family's routine.
Start With the Dirty Dozen
If you're looking for a place to start, experts recommend the Environmental Working Group's annual "Dirty Dozen" list that highlights fruits and vegetables with higher pesticide residues when grown conventionally. [1] This go-to list makes it easier to decide where to make your first swaps, and includes favorites like strawberries, apples, grapes, spinach, kale, and peaches.
If buying organic isn’t realistic, the “Clean Fifteen” can help you focus your grocery dollars where they matter most.
Easy Organic Swaps for Busy Families
Small, realistic swaps can help you incorporate organic options in a way that works for your family, schedule, and budget.
Here are our top 5 easy organic swaps to try:
1. Berries: Organic strawberries are often one of the first organic swaps families make. Buy them fresh or frozen, and add them to breakfast, smoothies, lunchboxes, or afternoon snacks as a versatile option everyone can enjoy.
2. Apples: Organic apples are a lunchbox staple that are easy to grab and go. They're also easy to pair with everything from nut butter to cheese.
3. Leafy Greens: Organic spinach and kale are versatile ingredients that can be blended into smoothies, tossed into pasta dishes, or added to eggs and wraps. Freeze extra greens and add them to soups or smoothies for an easy boost of nutrients and fiber.
4. Milk or Soy Milk: From creamy smoothies to cereal at breakfast, organic milk and organic soy milk are everyday staples for many families. This simple swap can bring a little more organic into everyday meals.
5. Eggs: If your family goes through eggs regularly, switching to organic eggs can be a simple way to make a big impact. Whether you're scrambling them for breakfast, baking muffins, or packing hard-boiled eggs for lunch, it's an easy swap that can fit naturally into your routine.
How to Spot the Organic Seal
One of the easiest swaps isn't food at all, it's a habit shift of learning what to look for. Rather than decoding every ingredient list, simply look for the certified organic label to give you confidence that the product meets established organic standards, helping you make informed choices as you shop.
In Canada, you'll find the Canada Organic logo, which features a maple leaf and the word "Organic/Biologique." If you're shopping in the United States, look for the USDA Organic seal, a round badge that clearly says "USDA Organic."
To learn more about choosing organic, check out What Does Organic Really Mean?
Why Organic Choices Matter
Eating organic doesn't have to be all or nothing. The goal isn't perfection, it's finding simple choices that fit your family's lifestyle. Everyday swaps are an easy way to reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides while supporting farming practices that work with nature.
Whether you start with organic fruit at breakfast, an organic after-school snack, or a pantry item you buy every week, starting small can feel more sustainable over time.
Try tucking a SuperJuice Prebiotic Juice Box into a lunchbox or freezing up a batch of SuperFruit® Freezies for an after-school snack made with organic fruit juice and purée. Sometimes the simplest swaps are the ones families stick with the longest.
More Fruit For Thought
Do you know about our ‘Beyond-Certified Organic Promise’?
Curious about organic farming? Learn more Organic vs Conventional Farming: What’s the Difference?
