I wish shopping for food was as easy as it was 50 years ago. Going to a small local market or maybe just your back yard. Organic wasn’t a term splashed all over the place and you didn’t fear that your food was actually, fake. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that time anymore.

We have to pay close attention when we are shopping for food. We need to know if it’s organic, non-gmo, grass-fed, pasture raised, local – and that’s just the big stuff. What about gluten? Soy? MSG? No wonder people don’t enjoy the grocery store. It’s difficult, confusing and takes too much time, especially if you have to read every label.

After 8 years of really paying attention to what we are eating and buying, buying food is a simple process for me. I know what stores to go to, what products to buy, what brands to support (or protest), which ranch to get my beef from, which farms are treating chickens the best – so it isn’t a huge ordeal for me anymore.

But what about you?

Below you will find a good list of companies that are GMO-free! Although there is no complete list that I have found – these are good resources and helpful for those who don’t have the time to do the research themselves. Get acquainted with the names. Print off the list and carry it with you when you go shopping. Look for stamps on foods that say “NON-GMO VERIFIED” or “CERTIFIED ORGANIC USDA”. These simple steps will help you narrow down your selections so you know which foods are safe to eat. They may not be as safe as going to your backyard, but for those who have to buy their food at the store – these two things will make a huge difference in your food choices.

Choose dairy that states it’s from grass fed cows. Ask if your meat is raised and finished on grass – you don’t want meat from a grain-fed cow, even if it’s organic meat. When buying chicken and eggs – you want pasture-raised. This will be the healthiest and most beneficial to your body.

Shopping doesn’t have to be hard, but unless you do a little research and have some resources you can turn to – it may be a part of your weekly routine that you dread. Get informed, be proactive and shop easy!

– GreenPeace PDF Guide to NON-GMO companies – click here

– GMO-Free Foods from Nourished Kitchen – click here

– NON-GMO Companies by Healthy Family – click here

– NON-GMO Shopping Guides and Tips Downloadable – click here