As the number one local and organic Colorado retailer, Mile High Organics is dedicated to sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices. As Wendell Barry once said, “The Earth is all we have in common,” and Mile High Organics is doing its part to maintain the utmost environmental integrity in every part of our business to preserve our planet.
Commitment to Organic - It has been shown that organic agricultural practices are better for the environment. The Organic Trade Association outlines the scores of environmental benefits of organic growing practices when compared to conventional agriculture, including the health of soil, water and biological diversity to name a few. To learn more about the positive environmental effects of organic, click here.
Our produce is 100% organic all of the time. We choose certified organic grocery products unless no organic alternative exists.
100% Commitment to non-GMO crops, ingredients, even packaging - Mile High organics is the only 100% non-GMO retailer in Colorado, possibly the nation. We believe that information about the quality of the food you eat should always be transparent, unfortunatley we seem to be ahead of our legislation on this matter. And so, we have taken it upon ourselves to source this information and share it with you. You can always trust the food you receive to from Mile High Organics to be properly vetted and labeled and to be non-GMO on the inside and out.
Reusable Containers – For all deliveries we use reusable plastic bins to keep produce and food products fresh as they wait upon your doorstep. Upon each delivery we pick up your last bin and deliver a new one. We continuously reuse all bins to reduce the number of bins used and to ensure that no waste is created by our bins.
Plastic Bags - Our bags are comprised of a mixture of compostable and non-compostable plastic bags. The use of bags is integral in maintaining produce freshness, and as a company Mile High Organics encourages the reuse of all bags, and provide compostable bags whenever we can.
Local Love – Mile High Organics utilizes local certified organic produce and food products as much as possible to ensure the highest quality, and reduce food transportation and the carbon footprint that comes with it.
Limited Air Freight – Mile High Organics works with nature to provide you fresh produce that is in season. We avoid air freight shipping of produce from other continents whenever possible, and we do what we can to source as much local organic produce as possible.
Less Cars – By using Mile High Organics, members cut down on their need to visit the supermarket. A result of this is less travel time to the grocery store in cars, which contributes to a cumulative reduction in the number of cars on the road in Colorado.
Purity Standards – At Mile High Organics, we are dedicated to purity. Our strict produce and grocery screening process restricts any artificial ingredients, gmos and any ingredients that are potentially hazardous to human health and the environment.
Product Selection Criteria
With so much information and so many different labels out there it can be tough to know that your choices align with your values. That's why Mile High Organics do the work for you. Researching every product you buy would be a full time job, and at MHO it is - literally!
Every new product Mile High Organics introduces is thouroughly researched to be free of GMO's and evaluated against similar products based the following criteria:
GMO-free - Organic items are GMO-free by definition, but we go as far as to screen the packaging. Most compostable food containers are made from genetically engineered corn. We oppose growing genetically modified organisms, not just eating them!
Any and all items we sell that are not certified organic are verified GMO-free ingredient by ingredient. We do the research and then take the extra step to get it in writing from the manufacturer.
Certified Organic - We always choose organic over conventional unless 1) an organic version doesn't apply or doesn't exist, i.e. sea salt or seaweed and seafood products. 2) it's a local product, verified GMO-free, that we love and want our members to have access to.
Locally owned or manufactured - As long as it's GMO-free Mile High Organics loves local! Both locally owned businesses and locally manufactured products contribute to the local economy.
Food miles - Unlike almost every other grocer our produce is never air freighted. The only exception we make are our organic California herbs. We're always looking but so far haven't found a way around flying those out or an organic option closer to home.
Gluten free - Our members express a lot of interest in gluten-free items so Mile High Organics makes an effort to include gluten-free options when introducing traditionally wheat based products.
Crop biodiversity - Mile High Organics pays special attention to less traditional grains and items made from uncommon ingredients in an effort to support ecological diversity. Ever tried farro? How about Madagascar Pink Rice? These are just a couple of the products we brought on because of this criterion.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms are two different, completely separate species that are interbred in a laboratory to create an organism that could never naturally exist.
GMOs are designed in two ways. They are either modified to resist pesticides and chemicals OR plants are modified to produce their own pesticides. In the former case pesticides can then be applied to fields indiscriminately and only the genetically modified crop will survive. When plants produce their own pesticides crops don't need to be doused with large amounts of chemicals becuase these chemicals are actually created inside the plant itself.
Thus, genetically modified crops are either doused with larger amounts of chemicals than ever before due to their resistance, or they actually contain the chemicals inside them and are then eaten by people.
These crops are not natural. Period.
Take the 2012 GMO-free School Lunch Challenge and pack healthy, wholesome, and GMO-free lunches for your children for the rest of the year. We have all of the organic and GMO-free ingredients that make it easy! Post pictures of your best lunches along the way on our Facebook page to inspire other members of our amazing community.
Mile High Organics is the only grocer in Colorado to screen out all genetically modified ingredients from every product we sell. We tell you exactly what is in our food and if a product has GMO's you won't find it in our e-aisles. It is our fundamental belief that providing transparent, easy-to-access information about food products is the first step in changing how Americans think about and shop for food. Giving children the opportunity to make educated choices about the food they eat is the basis of a happy and healthy tomorrow. Visit our fundraiser page to learn how you can help.
We want all of our members to live to a healthy 100 years and only carry products that will help you and your family get there!
