As a retailer, the knowledge you impart is just as vital as the products you sell. This year, The Cornucopia Institute wants to partner with you and your customers to increase transparency around who owns our organic brands.
As an INFRA member, we know independence matters to you. We also know how busy you are: Upholding transparency takes an incredible amount of time. As a trusted partner, we want you to know that Cornucopia is doing this work alongside you.
Consulting closely with you and your independent retailer peers, we have built the Independence Matters Project. Cornucopia staff have logged hundreds of hours digging into the stories behind the organic brands to launch our updated Independent Organic Brand List. Together with these brands, you are part of an ecosystem that prioritizes people over profits.
We are happy to be your eyes and ears behind the scenes in organic production. To bring this valuable marketplace activism tool into existence, we scoured press releases, investment and corporate websites, and annual reports. And we asked you, our independent retail friends, to share what you’ve seen and heard.
Brands do not pay to get on this list. They make the cut for the following reasons:
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They sell only certified organic food.
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They are widely available at retailers across the country.
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They are independent (at least 51% stake) as of January 2025.
We chose to shine a light on these brands because they go above and beyond in their resolve to bring you organic food. Their commitment is singular and requires steadfast dedication. But a tool is only powerful in action, so we are hoping you will help us bring this research into the grocery aisle.
We value your commitment to independent organic brands and your bond with your community and want to help prop up independent retailers like you! That’s why we developed a program that will allow your customers to interact with this work at point of sale through shelf tags, independent-themed endcaps, and our one-of-a-kind booklet listing nationally available, independent organic brands.
Example from Harvest Market
INFRA will be a powerful ally in reaching our 2025 goal of implementing this program in 50 stores across the US. Look for future communications from INFRA and Cornucopia later this spring so you can participate — and so your customers can shop with increased confidence.
"Transparency in food provenance is essential for empowering consumers to make informed choices,” says INFRA President & CEO Pat Sheridan. “That’s why our partnership with The Cornucopia Institute is so important—it unites independent retailers and brands to promote accountability, shopper awareness, and the value of organic, independently sourced products. We are proud to support this initiative and to help Cornucopia Institute further its mission of advocating for an organic food label consumers can trust.”
Interested in getting involved? Participate in the Independence Matters Marketing Campaign! Order copies of the Independent Organic Brand List to your store to educate your customers about shopping independent brands. Fill out the request form by June 11 to receive your booklets! Plus, check out the Independence Matters Digital Toolkit to gain access to in-store signage and digital assets.
Vendors - Featured in the Independent Organic Brand List and want to get the word out? Check out the Digital Media Kit.
Cornucopia is a nonprofit charity that is funded primarily by individuals who care deeply about the food system. A smaller percentage of our budget comes from businesses and foundations. Independent retailers are important partners. Your participation in this program breathes life into our work, and your financial support fuels our mission to uncover the truth behind organic food and advocate for an organic label we can all trust. Follow our work at cornucopia.org and on social media (find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky), let us know what’s important to you and your consumers by sending an email to cultivate@cornucopia.org, and join our eNews list for the latest updates.
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