San Francisco, CA — Today, in a win for organic advocates and stakeholders, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of preserving the essential organic "grower group" certification. In 2024, a federal district court held that the challenger, a U.S. organic hazelnut grower, had failed to show how the lawful application of the challenged USDA grower group certification 2023 rule had injured his business and thus lacked standing. Today, the court of appeals affirmed that decision. 

"Grower group certification has always been a crucial part of the organic standard," said George Kimbrell, Legal Director of amici Center for Food Safety. "Today's decision protecting it is a vital victory for organic farmers, stakeholders, and consumers." 

The "grower group" organic farming certification system has been in operation for decades and is widely recognized internationally, enabling millions of small and low-income farmers around the world to grow organically certified crops, which would otherwise not be financially or logistically viable. Prohibition on group certification would cause catastrophic consequences to all organic stakeholders: the lost livelihoods of small organic farmers around the world, the elimination of the sourcing for organic companies, and loss of these organic products like coffee, chocolate, and more for organic consumers. In the litigation Center for Food Safety, representing itself and other organic stakeholders — including organic nonprofits, companies, international certifiers, and grocers — explained how and why the certification system is a critical element supporting organic practices globally and for the inclusion of millions of smallholder farmers in the organic marketplace. The stakeholders represented by CFS in the case are Organic Integrity, Equal Exchange, Dr. Bronner's, Manos Campesinas, IFOAM North America, IFOAM-Organic International, Natural Grocers, Organic Trade Association, Frontier Co-op, and CFS.

"This ruling ensures that millions of organic small holder farmers will continue to have access to the marketplace and organic premiums," said David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner's, an amici in the case. "It also ensures that companies like ours will be able to continue providing products made with the highest quality ingredients to our customers."

"This important decision helps to protect the livelihoods of thousands of small farmers and validates the status of the grower group approach to certification," said Michael Sigh, Director of Alliance for Organic Integrity. 

"Smallholder farmers play a vital role in our organic global supply chain, and this decision is a significant step in safeguarding their contributions. It ensures that these farmers can continue to participate in the organic global food system, safeguarding their livelihoods and the future of sustainable agriculture in rural farming communities around the world," said Tony Bedard, CEO of Frontier Co-op. 

"This decision affirms that grower group certification, though managed differently, upholds the same integrity and oversight as any other form of organic certification," said Tom Chapman, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. "When done right, grower groups protect the USDA organic label's trust and credibility and enable and support the critical supply chains our members rely on to deliver the products consumers expect." 

About Center for Food Safety's work on Organic Integrity 

Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a national leader in defending and strengthening the integrity of the organic label. Through legal advocacy, public education, and regulatory watchdogging, CFS works to uphold the rigorous standards that consumers expect and organic farmers rely on. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Protecting Organic Standards: CFS has successfully challenged USDA decisions that weaken organic regulations, including unlawful approvals of synthetic substances or practices that undermine soil health and animal welfare.
• Defending the National Organic Program (NOP): CFS has litigated to ensure the NOP remains accountable to its statutory mandate under the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), preventing corporate influence and backsliding in rulemaking.
• Ensuring Transparent Governance: CFS monitors and engages with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), advocating for public transparency, stakeholder representation, and science-based recommendations.
• Guarding Against Greenwashing: CFS takes legal and policy action against misleading organic claims and labeling loopholes, helping to preserve consumer trust in the organic seal.