Where's the Organic Seal? A New USDA Rule Explained

You may have noticed something missing on our new packaging: the organic seal on our organic beans. This isn't an oversight or an attempt to pass off non-organic beans as organic. It's the result of a new USDA rule that took effect just as we were purchasing Primary Beans (awesome timing, right?).

Are They Really Organic?

Yes! The beans labeled organic on our website are:

• Grown on certified organic farms
• Packaged at certified organic facilities
• Maintained through a 100% organic supply chain

I can confirm this on our website, but I can't label the packages as organic—except, strangely enough, in the ingredients panel.

What's the Certification Process?

Since I'm not actually growing or handling the beans (that's done by people already certified organic), you might wonder what they're certifying. I had the same question for the USDA.

This new rule is designed to ensure more rigorous documentation throughout the organic supply chain. So we'll pay hundreds of dollars, spend a week or two completing paperwork and wait 5-6 months for certification so they can inspect... my paperwork.

The process involves:

• Completing extensive paperwork
• Paying certification fees
• Scheduling appointments
• Having an agent inspect my documentation in my office

If everything checks out, I'll be deemed a certified organic handler and we can put the logo back on our packages.

Why Aren't All Your Beans Certified Organic?

Customers often ask why some farms aren't certified organic even though they use organic practices. The answer comes down to cost, time, and ongoing requirements—certification must be renewed annually. For many small farms, this burden isn't worth it.

Certification creates a reliable way for consumers to verify what's truly organic, which is especially valuable at grocery stores where farm transparency is limited. In a world of increasing greenwashing, having dependable standards matters. Unfortunately, the complexity and expense often exclude small farms from participating—a gap we're trying to bridge.

Our Sourcing Promise

We maintain 100% transparency in our sourcing and the farming practices of our incredible farm partners. Most are certified organic, but some aren't—and we will never label something as organic unless it's 100% certified organic.

We also guarantee:

• No GMOs ever
• No dangerous chemicals like glyphosate on any of our beans (even non-organic ones)