At The Eco Hub, our mission is to discover and highlight the best sustainable brands available. We thoroughly review everything we recommend, ensuring that our recommendations are genuine and reliable. When you purchase through our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission, which helps support our work. Learn more about our process and ethics here. Shopping for sustainable foods can be quite challenging, particularly with numerous brands claiming to be eco-friendly. In a world filled with greenwashing, it’s essential for those striving to live sustainably to identify which foods truly have a low environmental impact.
Top Sustainable Food Brands
- Good Catch Foods
- One Degree Organic Foods
- Maple Hill Creamery
- Nature’s Path
- Organic Valley
- Brewer’s Food
- Vital Farms
- Eden Foods
Considerations When Choosing Ethical and Sustainable Food Brands
- Environmental Impact: Opt for brands that emphasize sustainable farming practices aimed at reducing water pollution, soil degradation, and the loss of biodiversity.
- Food Waste Reduction: Support companies that are dedicated to minimizing food waste throughout their supply chains.
- Certifications: Look for reputable certifications such as Fair Trade, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, among others.
- Local Farmers: Purchase from local farmers, farmers’ markets, urban farms, and co-ops to cut down on food transportation emissions and bolster local economies.
- Packaging Sustainability: Choose products with recyclable or compostable packaging, preferably made from recycled materials.
- Consumer Actions: As conscientious consumers, aim to minimize food waste, utilize non-toxic cookware, and practice food preservation techniques.
The Most Sustainable Food Brands on the Market
1. Good Catch Foods
Image: The Good Catch
Good Catch Foods, co-founded in 2016 by chefs Derek and Chad Sarno, stands out as a leading sustainable vegan food brand, specializing in plant-based seafood alternatives. Their product lineup includes offerings such as New England Style Crabless Cakes, Thai Style Fishless Cakes, and Fishless Burgers. Instead of traditional seafood, these products incorporate a mix of legumes, including peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans, and navy beans. All Good Catch Foods products are non-GMO certified and carry the Vegetarian Society Vegan Approved seal, ensuring they are dairy-free. The brand is committed to eliminating artificial flavors, palm oil, and synthetic colors from their ingredients. Their products are widely available at retailers such as Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Veggie Grill, and Albertsons. As they continue to expand, Good Catch is focused on enhancing the taste and affordability of their offerings, actively responding to consumer feedback.
2. One Degree Organic Foods
Image: One Degree
Headquartered in Abbotsford, BC, One Degree Organic Foods provides a diverse range of products including oatmeal, cereals, granola, flour, seeds, and various types of bread. They emphasize transparency in food sourcing and prioritize strong relationships with farmers to ensure top-quality organic ingredients. A standout feature is their product traceability system that allows consumers to scan a QR code on packaging to trace ingredients back to the farmers who grew them. Most products are certified vegan and are produced using organic plant-based fertilizers, avoiding harmful chemicals. Their offerings are Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic certified, and they enjoy high ratings on platforms like Amazon, with most products achieving over four stars.
3. Maple Hill Creamery
Image: Maple Hill
Maple Hill Creamery is a trailblazer in organic dairy, utilizing regenerative agriculture practices with a focus on grass-fed dairy cows. These cows are raised on grass grown naturally in paddocks, which not only enhances their health but also supports environmental sustainability. The cows at Maple Hill typically live two to three times longer than those in conventional dairy operations. Since its inception in 2009 with a single farm, Maple Hill has grown to encompass over 130 grass-fed organic family farms across New York State, establishing itself as the largest 100% grass-fed dairy operation in the U.S. Their products, which include milk, kefir, yogurt, and butter, can be found at numerous retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Amazon Fresh. Most of their offerings hold GMO-free status and are USDA and PCO organic certified.
4. Nature’s Path
Image: Nature’s Path
Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path is renowned for its range of sustainable food products, such as cereals, granola, organic snacks, and oatmeal-based items. Their production facilities in Washington and British Columbia have achieved zero waste status and are on track to attain climate neutrality by 2025. The company is committed to donating at least $2 million annually to charitable initiatives, with proceeds from their EnviroKidz products supporting endangered species and environmental education for children. All their brands, including EnviroKidz, Love Crunch, Que Pasa, and Qi’a, utilize certified organic ingredients and have been certified by the Non-GMO Project. Their packaging is 97% recyclable, reusable, or compostable, with a goal to achieve 100% by 2025.
5. Organic Valley
Image: Organic Valley
Established in 1988 by a group of Midwest farmers who rejected the industrial farming trend, Organic Valley Cooperative is dedicated to promoting sustainability in agriculture. The cooperative now consists of 1,600 family farms and over 900 employees committed to fostering a healthier food system. Their organic products, which include butter, cheese, eggs, milk, and cream, are USDA-certified and free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, and GMOs. This cooperative model counters the corporate takeover trend that has affected many family farms since the 1960s.
6. Brewer’s Food
Image: Brewer’s
Based in Somerville, Massachusetts, Brewer’s Food is an innovative company focused on producing up-cycled crackers that help reduce food waste generated by the craft brewing industry. American breweries produce over one billion tons of edible food waste annually during the beer-making process, much of which ends up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions. Brewer’s transforms this surplus grain into delicious crackers and chips. Additionally, their products are handmade in the U.S., minimizing transportation emissions associated with their goods.
7. Vital Farms
Image: Vital Farms
Vital Farms is a leading brand in the U.S. known for its commitment to sustainable and ethical egg production, as well as dairy products like butter and ghee. Their dedication to animal welfare is exemplified by their pasture-raised hens, which have outdoor access and are rotated regularly to fresh pastures. Starting in Austin, Texas, Vital Farms has expanded to include over 300 small family farms across the U.S., all sharing a commitment to ethical farming practices. Each egg carton features the farm’s name, allowing consumers to trace the origin of their eggs. The hens are fed a certified organic diet. Vital Farms actively addresses pressing issues in the industry, such as male chick culling and hen retirement, promoting transparency and ethical practices.
8. Eden Foods
Image: Eden Foods
Founded in the late 1960s in southern Michigan, Eden Foods is recognized as North America’s oldest organic food producer. Their passion for natural food and macrobiotics led to the establishment of the company. Eden Foods emphasizes transparency in sourcing, growing, and handling its ingredients, holding multiple certifications for purity and quality. Initially established as a co-op to tackle the scarcity of natural foods, Eden partners with local farmers to produce a diverse range of wholesome products, including traditional Japanese foods. Their commitment to environmental stewardship is evident in their energy-efficient buildings and diligent tracking of their environmental impact. In 2009, Eden Foods was acknowledged as the best food company globally for its social and environmental responsibilities, marking its role as a pioneer in the organic food movement.
A Final Word on Sustainable Food Brands
With regulatory action often falling short in addressing misleading claims, it can be challenging for consumers to distinguish between genuinely sustainable brands and those engaging in greenwashing. To simplify your shopping experience for sustainable living, keep in mind these practical tips for identifying truly sustainable foods at your grocery store. Sustainable food brands employ diverse methods, from upcycling food waste to adopting innovative technologies. When making purchases, seek out brands that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet over mere profits. Happy shopping!
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