The Dirty Dozen & The Clean Fifteen

You may have heard of the “Dirty Dozen” and the “Clean 15”, two lists that circulate each year highlighting produce with high and low levels of pesticide residue. I learned about these lists after my first child was born – that’s when I immersed myself in all things nutrition and wellness. They’ve stayed with me ever since, and it forever changed the way I shop. These lists can be incredibly helpful, but like many things in nutrition, should be used as a guide rather than a set of rules. At Kindred, we take a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach. There are a few areas where we draw a clear line: spinach is one of them. We always use organic, and more broadly, we extend that thinking to leafy greens as a whole. You’ll only see fresh, organic greens used across our salads and in the greens we incorporate into soups and other dishes. You’ll also see us adjust ingredients as new information emerges. Potatoes, for example, have recently moved onto the list, and we’re already shifting our sourcing. At the same time, we don’t believe in creating unnecessary fear around food. The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables (organic or not) are well established, and consistency matters far more than perfection. Rather than hyper-focusing on lists and rules, we make choices based on evidence-based principles, prioritizing certain ingredients where it matters most while keeping the bigger picture in mind. And as we continue to develop new offerings, like our upcoming overnight oats, you can expect the same intentional approach. Ingredients like blueberries will be thoughtfully sourced, organic where possible. It's a balanced approach, one that reflects both science and real life.