The following is an ever-evolving list of privately-owned / family-owned companies who produce organic foods AND are adamantly opposed to genetic engineering / GMO ingredients. These companies are our favorite brands to support… they continue to operate independently, which enables them to uphold solid product integrity as well as freedom in educating about GMOs.

Why Choose Family-Owned Organic Brands?

The opposite side of this coin are organic brands owned by major food corporations. When an organic brand is controlled by a corporation, product quality can suffer, and worse, your dollars spent on these “corporate organics” trickle back upstream to the parent corporation—most of whom don’t think GMOs are a problem and/or worse, donated money to prevent GMO labeling.

This doesn’t mean “corporate organics” aren’t organic. This doesn’t mean they contain GMOs (provided they’ve been properly certified). It just means the dollars you spend on corporate-owned organic brands are helping to keep GMOs from being labeled. (Feel free to consult my longer list of all GMO-free brands, even though it includes both corporate and private-/family-owned companies.)

Family- and Independently-Owned Organic GMO-Free Brands

Here are the brands we heartily recommend you support because they are organic + GMO free + private-/family owned. The list is always growing based on brands that we’ve had time to research first-hand. Please comment and suggest new companies—as long as they are family/privately-owned, and dedicated to organic, GMO free products.

NOTE: if you don’t see your favorite brand here, check our Corporate-Owned Organics page… many organic brands are now owned by major food manufacturing conglomerates.

•  Alvarado Street Bakery: certified organic whole grain breads made in a worker-owned bakery.

• Amy’s Kitchen: canned soups, chili, beans, pasta sauce, salsas and frozen meals including Light and Lean, Gluten Free, and Light in Sodium for customers with special dietary needs.

•  Apple and Eve: privately owned juice manufacturer with a USDA Certified Organic line of juices.

•  Artisana Nut Butters: organic and GMO-free nut butters, coconut butter and oil, and chocolate spreads. They appear to be independently owned but we are unable to verify…

•  Bearded Brothers: this small, family owned company from Austin, Texas makes organic, non-GMO energy bars.

• Beck & Bulow: this family provides ethically sourced, fresh meat delivery from their ranch and affiliated sources in New Mexico. Their products include bison, beef, elk, lamb, chicken, pork and wild boar. Read each product page for details about sourcing.

•  Betty Lou’s Bars: be sure to look for this family-owned company’s organic line of bars, since not all of their products are organic.

•  Bionaturae: this “family-oriented, privately-owned” company offers organic pasta, fruit nectar, fruit spreads, olive oil, vinegar, and tomato sauces and pastes.

•  Bob’s Red Mill: most (though not all) of their milled grains and grain products (flours, cereals, etc.) are organic and GMO-free; check your labels.

•  Bragg Foods: apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salad dressings, marinades, and liquid aminos either certified by USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project.

•  Bueno Foods: this family-owned, New Mexico-based manufacturer has a separate line called BUENATURAL® that includes organic corn, blue corn, and whole wheat tortillas (not to mention green and red chili, all natural vegetarian tamales, and all natural stews made with free-range chicken and organic posole), all made without preservatives or additives. All of their tortillas are traditionally stone ground using volcanic rocks for authentic texture. Can’t find them in your local store? Order online from Spud.com.

•  Carla Lee’s Nut Burgers: this family-owned company offers non-GMO vegan burgers, taco “meat,” and “meatballs.” Three out of four of their products are also USDA Organic certified.

•  CB’s Nuts: owned by Clark and Tami Bowen, CB’s offers organic peanut buttercertified by the Non-GMO Project as well as the USDA, plus their website features prominent opposition to GMOs and consumer education about the falsehoods of the “natural” labeling claim.

• Central Milling: as the oldest continuously operating, employee-owned company in the State of Utah, Central Milling offers a large selections of premium specialty flour and grains, including both organic and conventional.

•  Clif Bar: the majority of these energy / nutrition bars are not entirely organic / GMO-free (while Clif is committed to sourcing ingredients that are not genetically engineered, only 70% of the company’s purchased ingredients are certified organic). However, Clif Bar just introduced a brand new USDA Certified organic line called Kit’s Organic Fruit and Nut bars. Because these bars are USDA Certified, this means they are GMO free(read more about USDA labeling and organics here). Plus Clif Bar gets big kudos for donating $100,000 in support of California’s GMO Labeling Proposition 37. They were founded and are still run by a husband (Gary Erickson) and wife (Kit Crawford) team.

•  Core Foods: founded and still run by Corey Rennell, this not-for-profit company creates USDA Organic (which is GMO-free), fresh, whole food raw bars (which they call “meals”).

•  Crofter’s Organic Fruit Spreads: family-owned, organic and non-GMO!

•  Cultures for Health: this family-owned company sells starters for yogurt, sourdough and kombucha (and other products) that are GMO-free.

•  Eden Organic:  the oldest independent organic food producer in the U.S. makes a wide variety of organic, GMO-free products including soy milk; whole grains and flours; dried fruit, nut, seeds and snacks; canned beans (black, kidney, navy, pinto, garbanzo and cannellini); canned chili; canned and jarred tomatoes and sauces; fruit juices, spreads and butters; condiments including soy sauce, sweeteners, oils, vinegars, spices and herbs; and a wide variety of traditional Japanese products from crackers and mochi, to miso and sea vegetables. Back in 1997, an independent test by the New York Times looking for traces of GMOs in 11 soy and corn-based products found Eden’s milk to be the only product that tested clean, a finding that Eden Foods attributed to their extensive certification and testing program.

•  Edward & Sons Brands: this privately? family?-owned company is responsible for a number of organic and natural products, under the following brands: Let’s Do Organic | Native Forest | Nature Factor | Road’s End Organic. They also take a clear stance against GMOs on their website. Thanks to Shaela for bringing them to our attention!

•  Farm Soy Foods is a family-owned company that’s doing tofu the right way—hand made and USDA certified organic—for over 40 years!

•  Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin and Squash Products: this woman-owned company makes canned organic pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potato puree, and pumpkin pie mix certified by both USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project.

•  Feridies Peanuts: this family-owned company received Non-GMO Project Certification for three of their peanuts: Super Extra Large Salted Virginia Peanuts, Super Extra Large Unsalted Virginia Peanuts and Super Extra Large Redskin Virginia Peanuts in March 2014.

•  Fiordifruuta Organic Fruit Spread: a subsidiary of family-owned Rigoni di Asiago.

•  Grindstone Bakery: 100% organic, whole grain, GMO-free bread that is wheat-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, and gluten free.

•  Grown Right: owned by the Lassonde family in Canada and distributed under their “Clement Pappas” brand, this label includes organic and natural lemonades, limeades and cranberry sauces.

•  Healthy Times: premium baby food, cereal, biscuits and snacks that are USDA certified organic, GMO-free, certified kosher, with special formulas that are wheat free, dairy free, soy free products for sensitive babies

•  Helios Organic Kefir: privately owned by Lifeway Kefir.

• Kinilly: is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of organic products located in Newberry, Florida USA, who also sells products from other like-minded brands.

•  Lakewood Juices: 4th generation independently-owned manufacturer of fresh-pressed 100% pure organic and premium juices, with no additives or artificial ingredients.

•  Late July: organic snacks including chips, saltine crackers, sandwich crackers, cookies, and sandwich cookies (think healthy Oreos!). Note: in 2007, Snyder’s Lance Corporation bought a minority stake.

•  Let’s Do Organic: see Edward & Sons Brands above.

•  Lotus Foods: this family-owned California company offers a multiple (and unusual) varieties of organic rice. Check the labels closely, as not all of their product line is organic.

•  Lundberg Family Farms / Wehah Farms: rice and rice-based products (cereals, chips, snack foods and more)

•  Mary’s Free Range Turkeys: organic, GMO-free, and free range.

•  Murray’s Chicken: Pennsylvania family-owned, humanely raised, Non-GMO Project certified fresh chicken.

•  My Grandpa’s Farm:  organic, gluten free mixes for brownies, cakes and breads from a family-owned company in Minnesota—named for the farm that has been in their family for generations.

•  Napa Valley Naturals: this small, family-owned company offers USDA Organic certified olive oil, other cooking oils, and a variety of vinegars.

•  Native Forest:  see Edward & Sons Brands above.

• NativOrganics: family-run organic supplement company; products are made in the U.S.

•  Nature Factor: see Edward & Sons Brands above.

•  Nature’s Legacy / VitaSpelt / Purity Foods: GMO-free pasta, granola, flours, and snacks

•  Nature’s Path: breakfast cereals, granolas, hot oatmeal, waffles, toaster pastries, pancake mix, and granola / snack bars.

•  Newman’s Own Organics: still owned by Paul Newman’s daughter Nell, this company produces all organic products including pretzel snacks, cookies, dried fruit, coffee, tea, oils, vinegars and salad dressings, and pet food. All of the ingredients used in all of their products are grown on farms that have not used artificial fertilizers or pesticides for three years or more; the farms and processors have likewise been certified by an independent third party. All of their products are certified organic by Oregon Tilth; and Kosher certified by Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 333 Seventh Avenue, New York.

•  NOW Foods: family-owned makers of nuts and seed snacks, dried fruit, supplements, oils, protein powders, and body care products—some of which is organic. Check the label and choose those with USDA Organic and/or Non-GMO Project Certification insignias.

•  NuGo Nutrition bars: be sure to look for this family-owned company’s organic line of bars (not all their products are organic).

•  Nutburgers: see Carla Lee’s Nutburgers

•  Nutiva: hemp, coconut, and chia “superfoods”

•  Once Again Nut Butter: 100% employee-owned manufacturer of USDA Organic / Non-GMO Project certified peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, other seed butters, tahini, and more.

•  One Degree Organic:  cereal, bread, flour and seeds—sourced from growers who use “veganic” farming methods—no animal waste or byproducts whatsoever.

•  Organic Food Bar:  family-owned manufacturers of organic energy “food” bars. Thanks to Shaela for bringing them to our attention!

•  Organic Valley: a full range of dairy products, eggs and some produce produced by a cooperative of (mostly) family farms. While this brand is still doing the majority of things correctly, the Cornucopia Institute has downgraded them in recent years due to a growing lack of corporate transparency, and they are on record for supporting the DARK act (Denying Americans the Right to Know about GMO labeling).

•  Organicville:  woman / family-owned makers of sauces (pasta, pizza, teriyaki and more), dressings, condiments, and other foods.

•  Pacific Beach Peanut Butter:  family owned and operated manufacturer of peanut butter, including two organic varieties (salted and unsalted), although the label does not carry any third party organic certification insignia (USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project).

•  Pascha Chocolates:  family-owned maker of organic, Non-GMO Project certified chocolate and candies.

•  Pure Bar: all bars are certified GMO free; they have both a USDA Organic line, and a “made with organic ingredients” line.

•  Que Pasa: tortilla chips made with GMO-free, 100% organic corn and oil

•  R.W. Garcia Tortilla chips: family-owned and certified GMO-free!

•  Rapunzel Naturkost: this Bavaria-founded company exceeds USDA Organic standards by adhering to the “Demeter” level of certification on all of their products, including baking ingredients, sweeteners, cocoa powder, noodles and pasta, rice, oils and vinegars, dried fruits, tomato products and sauces, spreads, seasonings and spices, grains, legumes, and more.

•  Raw Revolution: family-owned organic energy / food / snack bars

•  Road’s End Organic: see Edward & Sons Brands above.

•  Sambazon:  fresh superfood drinks, energy drinks, frozen sorbets and smoothies, and acai supplements, “fiercely committed to Sustainability + all things Organic/Non-GMO”

• SOL Cuisine: organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, Halal, wheat-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan protein products including tofu, veggie burgers, veggie dogs, veggie ribs, falafel, veggie burger dry mix, veggie crumbles and more, including soy-free options.

•  SquareBar: Sarah Crawford and Andrew Gordon started these USDA organic, Non-GMO Project certified, gluten-, dairy- and soy free square-shaped bars in their San Francisco kitchen just last year. These are one of the few bars on the market that seems to meet everyone’s dietary issues. If you can’t find them at a store near you (their website has a handy locate map), you can buy ’em on Amazon.

• Straus Family Creamery: located in Marin County, California, this family-owned and operated dairy produces milk, butter, cheese, ice cream and yogurt; their milk is also used in the production of cheese at Cowgirl Creamery.

•  Sunshine Burger: Carol Debberman and John Hiler make USDA organic, Non-GMO Project certified, gluten free breakfast patties and veggie (or vegan) burgers (including soy-free options). Their burgers were the first in the U.S. to receive Non-GMO Project certification!

• Teddie Peanut Butter: located in Everett, Massachusetts, this family-owned and operated company offers two USDA Organic certified peanut butters (chunky and creamy).

•  Theo’s Chocolates: privately-owned company offering organic / Non-GMO Project certified chocolate and candies.

•  Tropical Traditions: family-owned company offering organic / Non-GMO coconut oil, soaps, skin care products, pasta, and more

•  Uncle Matt’s Organic: founded in 1999 by Matt McLean, these USDA Organic (which means GMO-free) fresh fruit juices have no added fragrance or flavor packs.

•  Shiloh Farms: this privately-owned company offers a very wide variety of food products, many of which are certified organic / GMO-free.

•  Starwest Botanicals: bulk  herbs, spices, seasonings, sprouting seeds, loose tea, essential oils and herbal extracts—some of which are USDA Organic.

•  Sweet Creek Foods: organic pickles, including dills, jalapeños and beets, organic fruit spreads, organic salsas, and albacore tuna.

•  Tasty Brand: founded by two moms to provide organic / GMO-free candy, cookies and fruit snacks.

•  Traditional Medicinals: independently owned maker of organic herbal teas

•  Two Moms in the Raw:  organic, gluten-free and non-GMO granola, nut bars, crackers and candies.

• Vermont Village Applesauce: this family owned Vermont company takes pride in knowing all their farmers and where their ingredients come from. Their applesauce is kettle-cooked, GMO free, gluten free, kosher, and certified by the Vermont Organic Farmers Association.

•  VitaSpelt (see Nature’s Legacy)

•  Vivapura: founded and operated by Chris Whitcoe, this company manufacturers raw, vegan, USDA Organic (and non-GMO Project certified) Superfoods including raw cacao, dried fruits, raw nuts, coconut products, and raw organic “wild Jungle” peanut butter.

•  Wild Friends Foods:  founded by two University of Oregon students, this line of peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower butter comes in a variety of flavored options, including Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter, Sesame Cranberry Peanut Butter, Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter, Maple Sunflower Butter, and more, many of which are Non-GMO Project Certified and/or USDA Organic certified.

•  Yogi Tea: independently-owned maker of organic tea.

•  YummyEarth / YumEarth: organic candies made by a privately-held company.

• Zulka: family-owned makers of “Morena®” brand pure cane sugar, certified by the Non-GMO Project.

Online Organic Brands

Also be sure to check out our list of “online organic” brands here >

Other Brands that Come Close:

•  Beanitos: founded and still run by two brothers, these gluten-free, GMO-free chips are certified by the Non-GMO Project, but are *not* sourced from organic beans.

•  Elemental Superfood:  this mom-owned, California-based company manufactures “seedbars” that are “made with the highest quality ingredients that are organic and pesticide free, raw, gluten free & dairy free.” A quick scan of their products page and ingredients list shows that the bars are certified as raw and gluten free, but are not certified as organic or GMO free (though the package does carry a “no GMO” graphic). View a list of all of the ingredients here to see which ones are organic and which are not.

•  KIND Snacks: founded by a private individual and still controlled by a private company, KIND offers three lines of whole nut and fruit bars. I’ve included them in this section only because their Wiki page claims that “each KIND bar is non GMO.” However let the buyer beware: it does not appear that KIND bars use organic ingredients, and there is no mention about about GMOs or organic (whether pro/con, or usage) on their website.

•  Pamela’s:  family-owned manufacturer of baking mixes, cookies, cakes and bars that are all GMO-free; most products contain organic ingredients but none are USDA organic (GMO free).

•  Wegmans Grocery Stores: (located in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Virginia) Although Wegmans is still a private, family-owned grocery store chain offering both USDA Organic and their own Wegmans “Organic Food You Feel Good About” branded products, they are long-time members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, an organization that consistently donates millions of dollars to fight GMO labeling measures. One of our blog readers has also reported a marked increase in the number of conventional products in the food aisles, and growing employee dissatisfaction with a more “corporate-minded” store management approach. source

PRAY, Brethren!!  Pray that God keeps us safe from these toxic foods our government is doling out to the masses!