Natural Grocers® Even More Affordable Earth Day Specials - April 22-24, 2026

“Eating is an agricultural act.” –Wendell Berry

Five Ways Your Food Choices Impact Health— Yours and the Planet’s 1 Biodiversity: the heartbeat of sustainable food production Monocultures, synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and habitat destruction are now standard farming practices worldwide—accelerating biodiversity loss. As farmers’ focus has narrowed to a handful of high-yield crops, around 75% of plant genetic diversity has vanished over the last century. And an estimated 40% of insects face extinction in the coming decades. Organic farms, by contrast, need biodiversity to thrive. They trade monocultures for diversified crop rota tions, abstain from synthetic pesticides, and cultivate habitats to attract beneficial predators like birds, bats, and insects. The organic difference in data: • Organically farmed regions have 30% more species richness and 50% greater organism abundance on average than conventionally farmed areas, according to global meta-analyses. • Studies have found 90% more pollinator abundance, 38% more beneficial insects, and 55% more rare arthropods on organic farms. 2 Soil Health: the foundation of nutritious food Monocultures, synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and habitat destruction are now standard farming practices Experts warn that 95% of the world’s fertile land could be degraded by 2050 if current intensive farming trends continue. And, a 2021 review found that agricultural pesticides—the hallmark of intensive farming— negatively impact soil invertebrates in 71% of cases. Yet, these creatures are essential for soil health. Organic farming prohibits synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and uses practices such as diversified crop rotations, cover crops, composting, and manure to improve soil health. The soil health advantage: • Organic farming significantly improves soil health over time, according to a nine-year study comparing organic pasture and cropping systems with a conventional corn-soybean system. The organic systems improved key soil health metrics and maintained or increased soil organic carbon while the conventional steadily lost it. • Healthy soil builds climate resilience. In the long-running Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial, organic plots generate 30% higher yields during periods of extreme weather than conventional plots. Here’s a powerful truth residing in the gap between our values and actions: eating healthy is good for the planet, too. The food production practices that protect soil, water, and biodiversity are the same ones that reduce our exposure to synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, and artificial additives, while yielding more nutrient-dense foods. So, here’s a friendly challenge this Earth Month—let’s wield the power of our grocery lists and own the connection between our food choices and the land that produces them. Most of us aren’t farmers, policymakers, or food industry leaders. But with every bite we take, we are active participants in the food system. Our dietary choices connect us to farmers, decision makers, and the environmental impact of food production—an issue we care about in theory. The 2024 Sustainable Food Barometer survey found 74% of respondents view sustainable food positively. Yet only 27% listed environmental impact among their top five grocery shopping priorities. Nutritional value ranked higher at 50%.