Sacramento Bee

Conventional vs. organic farming: We're having the wrong debate Sacramento Bee Despite the USDA's enthusiastic support for organic food, the USDA makes no claims of any kind for organics or for any advantages over conventional farming methods. The reason? Absence of clear evidence for superiority on any meaningful aspect.

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Conventional vs. organic farming: We're having the wrong debate - Sacramento Bee

Im not a ramen noodle fan. Empty calories and little taste beyond the MSG. Just my biased gastronomic opinion. But as I pushed my cart down the aisle at Costco, the aroma wafting from the sample table did indeed tempt my olfactories and my growling stomach. To my surprise, the steaming contents of the paper cup offered by the cheerful, grandmotherly matron turned out to be delicious. And the brown rice noodles were organic to boot, certified as such by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Says so prominently, right there on the label.

Not that ramen would be likely to become a staple in our household diet, but it might be handy to have as easy-to-make quick meal during busy times, or a half-meal serving during Lent. So I picked up a six-serving package for $8.99. However, while unpacking the groceries at home, I did what I should have done (but was too hurried to do) at the store: I read the label. In rather small print came the fatal words: Product of China. Big oops! Communist Chinas takeovers of our tool, electronics, clothing, and other consumer markets are alarming enough, but Beijings huge inroads into our food sector over the past two decades is beyond scary.

Nearly a decade ago, in September 2007, The New American published Michael Telzrows New Chinese Take-Out: Tainted, Poisoned Exports, which detailed the frightening extent to which China had already succeeded in penetrating and even dominating our internal consumables: foods, beverages, vitamins, pharmaceuticals. Its gotten markedly worse in the years since, thanks to both Democrats and Republicans in the White House and in Congress who have caved in and/or sold out to the China Lobby. Its not just melamine in pet food, diethylene glycol a highly toxic solvent in cough syrup and toothpaste, and lead paint on childrens toys. After those and other Made In China food scandals made it through a few news cycles, the issue was largely swept under the rug by the establishment press. Instead of heeding these canary-in-the-coalmine warnings, government officials and business leaders opened the floodgates even further so China could accelerate its conquest of the American food market.

In June 2011, Food & Water Watch, a non-profit consumer watchdog group, published an eye-opening report entitled A Decade of Dangerous Food Imports China.Among other things, this important monograph tabulated from U.S. government records the alarming year-by-year increases in Chinas food exports to the United States: apple juice, mushrooms, garlic, cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli, pears, apples, cherries, strawberries, catfish, salmon, tilapia, cod, sardines, shrimp, clams, crab, honey, spices, tea, nuts, onions, vegetable oils, soy sauce, and much more.

In 2010, China was the second-largest source of U.S. processed fruit and vegetable imports, shipping in more than a billion pounds, the Food & Water Watch report noted. China was the third-largest source of imported fresh vegetables. The United States also imported 102 million pounds of sauces, including soy sauce; 81 million pounds of spices; 79 million pounds of dog and cat food; and 41 million pounds of pasta and baked goods from China in 2010.

The study goes on to further report:

China is also the worlds leading seafood producer and leading exporter to the United States, supplying nearly a quarter of all U.S. imports. In 2010, the United States imported more than 1 billion pounds of seafood from China, including 723 million pounds of frozen fish fillets, 33 million pounds of shrimp and 109 million pounds of mollusks, such as scallops. Chinese seafood exports totaled more than $2 billion in 2009, accounting for 19 percent of the seafood Americans eat.

More alarming still is the fact that China has gained a lock-hold on our foodstream by inserting itself into many food products that are made here in the United States. How? By dominating production of widely used ingredients: preservatives, sweeteners, enhancers, and flavorings. The Food & Water Watch study reports:

Chinas largest role in the American diet may come through the myriad ingredients it exports for processed foods that reach U.S. consumers every day. China had supplied up to 90 percent of U.S. imports of citric acid, a flavor enhancer and preservative that is used in soft drinks, cheese, and baked goods, although these imports dropped off in 2009. China is also a leading supplier to the United States of other ingredients like xylitol, used as a sweetener in candy, and sorbic acid, a preservative. China also supplies around 85 percent of U.S. imports of artificial vanilla, as well as many vitamins that are frequently added to food products, like folic acid and thiamine.

This, obviously, is not only a threat to our nations health but also to Americas food independence. Chinese imports have even made that healthy sugar substitute, honey, a very suspect commodity. The Epoch Times reportedin 2011, Millions of pounds of hazardous honey are being smuggled in large quantities from China to the United States, constituting as much as a third or more of the honey on American shelves, a recent investigation found.

On May 8, 2013, China expert and author William C. Triplett testified before U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs on The Threat of Chinas Unsafe Consumables. After making reference to the above-cited Food & Water Watch study, Triplett observed: Two years later, it appears the problem is worse rather than better. Last fall thousands of German children fell ill after eating Chinese strawberries served to them in their school cafeterias. And just last month the FDA revealed that thanks to toxic battery recycling operations, rice imported from China showed lead levels 60 times above the recommended safe levels for children. (Emphasis added.)

One of the particular problems of dealing with toxic food imports from China is illustrated by the honey case, Triplett noted. The FDA and others got onto the Chinese honey issue quite a while ago. The Department of Justice even raided some facilities but the consensus is that through a sophisticated international smuggling network, the Chinese honey producers have pretty well defeated all efforts to control them.

Death by China: Eat, Drink and Be Buried

Horror stories of illness, suffering, and death from Made-in-China food abound (see here,here,and here).How is it possible that this continues? After all, we have a myriad of federal regulatory agencies(virtually all of which are unconstitutional or exercise unconstitutional powers)that harass and destroy American farmers, manufacturers, and marketers in the name of protecting the American consumer.

As with most bullies, these bureaucracies prefer pick on easier targets, rather than go after the real threats. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has done little to address the growing tide of food imports from China, despite a well-documented pattern of chemical adulteration and unsafe drug residues, the 2011 Food & Water Watch study stated. The FDA inspects less than 2 percent of imported food and barely visits Chinese food manufacturers. The FDA conducted only 13 food inspections in China between June 2009 and June 2010.

The FDA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is infamous for sending in armed SWAT units to harass and arrest farmers for selling raw milk, raiding natural food stores for selling apricot seeds or other food supplements, and persecuting physicianswho try to help their patients byutilizing alternative treatments for cancer other than those approved by the FDA bureaucrats.

Why are these agencies not exercising similar zeal concerning genuine threats to American health and safety from a foreign power that regards us as Enemy No. 1 and whose toxic food supply chain has already left a swath of death and carnage across the globe? This crucial food security issue should be a top national priority. Although defenders of the FDA and USDA might argue that these agencies have some sort of constitutional remit under the interstate commerce clause, clearly, the real legitimate functions that they serve are those that attend to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), inspecting materials coming into this country from foreign sources. The primary functions of the FDA and USDA should be exercised under (or alongside) the CPB, while most of their domestic functions should devolve to the states, as the Constitution and the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights mandate.

Does the certified USDA Organic label on food from China mean nothing, then? It appears so. (See here,here,here,and here.)So, yes, I returned the organic brown rice ramen noodles to Costco for a refund, and I informed the customer service department that I do not consume and do not buy food from the communist regime. And I will be following up with a note to Costcos corporate management to let them know that I do not appreciate companies that will jeopardize their customers health and safety by flooding our markets with toxic Made-In-China foodstuffs. Now we must prod the new Trump administration and Congress to address this issue posthaste.

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Organic Foods From China? Buyer Beware! - The New American

SunOpta Inc. posted revenue of about $1.35 billion in 2016, up almost 18 percent at least partially because of boosted output from the global organic food company's expanded Upper Macungie Township facility.

But that's about where the good news ended Wednesday as SunOpta released its fourth-quarter and year-end financial results.

Just take a look at the company's fourth quarter: SunOpta posted a loss of about $33.5 million, which translates to a loss of 41 cents a share. In addition, the company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $297.5 million, a 6 percent drop compared with the year-earlier period. Both results fell short of Wall Street expectations.

"Fourth-quarter results were below our expectations, driven by the exit of non-core business lines, impairment charges and sales softness in beverage and fruit that also impacted production volumes," said David Colo, who took over as SunOpta president and CEO early last month. "We believe these results are not in any way reflective of the true earnings power of our company."

But it will take time to reach that true earnings power, Colo said Wednesday on a conference call with analysts, as SunOpta tries to turn around its fortunes as it works through its value-creation plan, which was announced in October.

In the Lehigh Valley, Canada-based SunOpta opened a consumer foods plant in 2012 on Daniels Drive in Upper Macungie. It completed a $25 million expansion in November 2015, which added aseptic processing capabilities. That transformed the facility, which employs 114, into a dual-purpose consumer products plant, with one part handling flexible resealable pouches for healthy snacks and baby food, and the newer part focusing on aseptic beverages such as soy or almond milk.

Colo said he sees a lot of opportunity in the consumer products segments and considers the expanded manufacturing footprint for aseptic beverages a "huge strength for the organization."

However, turning around the entire company, he cautioned, will take time, potentially three years or so before SunOpta achieves the margins the company wants. It's something Colo said will require SunOpta to make decisions with a long-term focus, even if that doesn't maximize quarterly results.

"We will clean it up, tune it up and turn it up," Colo said.

But SunOpta's stock took a turn downward Wednesday, dropping 45 cents or 6.25 percent to close at $6.75.

jon.harris@mcall.com

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Organic food company with Upper Macungie plant looks to reverse fortunes under new CEO - Allentown Morning Call

Once upon a time, every farmer on earth practicedsomething called organic agriculture, although they never bothered to coin the phrase.

The cultivators of this amazing pre-industrial concept spent their days diligently tending and harvesting their cropswithout the aid of manufactured products. They protected their plants with things no longer in abundance: worms, snails, ladybugs, and a full arsenal of homeopathic concoctions passed down from hundreds of years of ancestral heritage. And it was, for sure, a tough row to hoe.

Todays natural agricultureis still organic by definition, but the mechanics to raising that chemical-free produce are a world away from what your parents might have tried in their backyard.

Most states have regulations and long lists that define organic agricultureand what can, by law, be used during large-scale organic farming. And while todays organic farms may skillfully manage to avoid the use of controversial chemical sprays with complicated names like permethrin and thiamethoxam (which have both been suspected of contributing to the decline in bee colonies), theytypically rely on concentrated non-chemical fungicides and pesticides for large-scale production.

An entrepreneur in Kearny, New Jersey, thinks hes found the next evolution for agriculture: post-organic. If that doesnt sound like a very inventive name for a process, the system itself makes up for it.

Irving Fains concept of farming does away with the swaths of green space we normally associate with wholesome agriculture. He traded acreagefor an urban warehouse, a carefully-managed environment and a proprietary technology that produces food 100 times faster than conventional farming. And all of that without pesticides, soil stimulants or other additives, Fain and his company claim.

Warehouse-based vertical farming isnt entirely new. Farmers have been dabbling in various versions of indoor farming for centuries, finding new ways to capitalize on its water-saving techniques and, in so doing, finding faster ways to ensure quality production.

But Fains company,Bowery Farming, uses its own self-automated technology to respond to and manipulate the environmental factors upon which plants rely.

And unlike most full-scale indoor farming operations, Bowerys system can sense when its time to pluck the crops something that is usually done by sight and schedule in conventional farms. That means less wasted product and more predictable harvesting seasons. It also means a more predictable bottom line.

The company shared this glimpse insideits vertical farm on Instagram:

So far the companys post-organic greens are available in two Manhattan restaurants, a pair of Whole Foods Market stores in New Jersey, and Foragers Market in New Yorks Chelsea neighborhood.

With increasing concerns about drought and climate change, vertical farms that can operate in limited space with less water and virtually no natural sun may become the next stage in agriculture.

Whether the post-organic concept will eventually be able to overtake the organic markets sizable revenues ($43 billion yearly), remains to be seen. But in theres something to be said for an industry that uses 95 percent less water than conventional farming and wont wither with climate change.

Image credit:Pixabay

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This Vertical Farm Wants to Pioneer 'Post-Organic' Food - Triple Pundit (registration) (blog)

For years, Whole Foods has been the place to go to find the crme de la crme of fresh, organic vegetables outside of a farmers market. And while many other grocery stores have tried to one up Whole Foods and dominate the industry, few have been able to. But recently, earnings reports surprisingly putCostco, the bulk discount supplier, ahead of Whole Foods with a reported $4 billion in organic food sales last year compared to $3.6 billion that was raked in by Whole Foods.

You May Also Like:Theres Now an Easy Way to Find Out If the Food Youre Eating Contains Toxic Chemicals

Rumors have always swirled around the freshness of Costcos produce department and whether or not their items were really organic or not. By the looks of it, the American consumer is picking Costco over the pricey Whole Foods. For starters, the price of organic food at Costco versus Whole Foods is dramatically less. And everyone wants good quality food at a lower price point.

But thats not all. Costco has plans to set up its own organic chicken farms over the next few years and supports independent farms, as well as promotes small, emerging, sustainable brands.

So, next time you write out your grocery list and decide to visit your regular grocery store (or local Whole Foods), think twice about what its going to really cost you.

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Costco Outsells Whole Foods in Organic Produce Sales - Health + ... - NewBeauty Magazine (blog)

Executives from Wegmans, Costco and Sprouts will participate in the retail roundtable presentation at the Organic Produce Summit in July.

Organic Produce Network co-founder Tonya Antle will moderate the panel, which will include Dave Corsi, vice president of produce and floral for Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester, N.Y.; Heather Shavey, assistant vice president of global produce for Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco Wholesale Corp.; and Chad Miller, vice president for produce procurement at Sprouts Farmers Market, Phoenix.

The roundtable presentation will focus on how those retailers approach organic fresh produce and what challenges and opportunities exist in marketing those products, according to a news release.

We are thrilled to have three of the most influential, prominent and progressive retail leaders in the sales of organics as part of our program, Susan Canales, director of operations for the Organic Produce Summit, said in the release. With three different formats covering three geographical spheres, our attendees will gain insightful and useful information on how leading retailers are marketing organic fresh produce to consumers and the opportunities to drive sales into the future.

Organic fresh produce sales data from Nielsen and novel fast-food restaurant chain The Organic Coup will be the topics of other presentations at the summit.

The event is set for July 12-13 in Monterey, Calif.

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Organic Produce Summit reveals retail roundtable | The Packer - The Packer

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Whole Foods may win the prize for the most recognizable retailer when it comes to organic food, butthe top honor when it comes to market shareactually goes toCostco.

Yup,the chain best known for itsbulk stock and low prices reported $4 billion in organic food saleslast yearthats billion with a B. Whole Foods, by comparison,racked up about $3.6 billion in certified organic sales.

The chain best known for itsbulk stock and low pricessold $4 billionworth of certified organic food last yearthats billion with a B.

And this shiftcould have a major impact on you (and your healthy habits), even if youre not a card-carrying member. For one thing, its proof thatfood shoppers across the board are prioritizing organics. And in other exciting news, it shows that its possible to sell certified organic produce (COP) at a competitive pricecrucial for closing the healthy food gap.

But perhaps most importantly, the mega-retaileris literally redefining the organics landscapethere are now Costco-owned organic farms to help the company keep up with demand. Plus, the brand islending money to farmers to expand their output.

Does this mean that a Costco membership is about to be as covetedas an American Express black card?

2/4

Lets face it, dollars area powerful motivator. When brands and retailers noticewhere people are allocatingtheir cash, theyll make it a priorityand organics are definitely having a moment.

HeatherShavey, assistant vice president and general merchandise manager at Costco, says the retailer started zeroing in on organics five years ago because customers demanded it. The spark in the shift was continuing and sustaining consumer demand for organics, shesays. Many [other retailers] thought it was a fad that would pass.

Organic quinoa at Whole Foods retails for $5.99. At Costco, its $2.87. In other words, the savings are real.

Carlotta Mast, the head of content and insights for New Hope Network (the gatekeepers to the massively influential wellness trade shows Expo East and Expo West), has seen the explosion of organic sales firsthand. Consumers are what ultimately is driving the demand, especially in certain food categories like dairy, she says. In other words: Its definitely not a passing food trend.

And Mast, who looks at the industry from all sides, says Costco has been a key player in raising the stakes across the board by making organics cheaper and therefore available for more peopleits starting to no longer be seen as a luxury. They have really demonstrated a commitment to carrying certified organic productsandbecause they offer them at a competitive price and are able to meet consumer demand, it puts pressure on some of the other retailers, she says. (Your move, Trader Joes.)

When youcompare prices, organic quinoa at Whole Foods retails for $5.99. At Costco, its $2.87. Organic chicken breasts area dollar cheaper at the discount brand, and aloaf of organic whole wheat bread is about $1.50less expensive. In other words, the savings are real.

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Costco has been so successful in moving COPs off itsshelves that itssuppliers cant grow the food fast enough. The companyssolve? Buy plots of land and convert them into organic farms. (After all, less than 1percent of farmland in the US is organicwhich simply isnt enough to keep up with demand.) The mega-retailers alsobuying apoultry farm in Nebraska, set to open in 2019.When its up and running, its expected to supplyone-third of the chicken sold in stores.

And that still isnt quite enough to hit its salesgoals, soCostcos also supporting independent farms transitioning to organic by frontingsome of the farms and handlers expenses to make them USDA-approved.

Costco has been so successful in moving COPs off itsshelves that itssuppliers cant grow the food fast enough. The companyssolve? Buy plots of land and convert them into organic farms.

According toSam Jones-Ellard, a public affairs specialist for the USDA, its a complicated, 36-monthprocess. First a farm or handler must reach out to one of our accredited certifying agents and come up with an organics plan, which basically covers everything about the operation, he says. Once thats approved, the next step is an on-site inspection. If given the thumbs up, only thenis the seal awardedbut surprise inspections arent out of the ordinary, and the certification only lasts a year.

Its hardly a selfless missiondont forget that ultimately, Costco will profit off of these investmentsbut what it does mean is that farmers get abig boost and a broader range of consumers will be able to access organic produce.

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Costcos rise in the organics game hasnt been a godsend for every brand, thoughsmaller companies can get lost in the big-box shuffle, since the retailers strategy is to keep prices competitive by moving a lot of product.

Smari Asmundsson, founder of organic Icelandic yogurt lineSmari,says its hard for smaller companies to meet the discount storesdemand. We were in 16 Costco stores for about a year, but then there was a vanilla shortage so we had to raise our prices, he says. Smarisnew price point$2.50 a popwas too high for Costco, so the yogurt is no longer on its shelves. Instead, Asmundsson says hes focused on all-natural retailers, likeyou guessed itWhole Foods.

The prices [for organics] are usually a little bit more expensive, but thats just because of the cost of making a natural product, Asmundsson says. Our margins are not as high as more established companieswe couldnt make [selling at such a massive scale] work financially. Its a hard lesson for many brands: Unless youre ready to scale up your production, selling at Costco might not be in your best interest. (It also brings up the bigger question of whether this race to lower prices ultimately hurts start-ups that simply cant competeif you expect your organic yogurt to cost less than $1.50, would you ever consider spending more for someone doing it on a small scale?)

Smaller companies can get lost in the big-box shuffle, since the retailers strategy is to keep prices competitive by moving a lot of product.

The mega-storedoes support growing companiesin other ways, though. For one, itpromotesbrandsthatarent ready to meet itsdemand (yet!) but are still doing very cool things when it comes to farming and sustainability by featuring them in the Costco magazine, which goes out to members. One example: home-growing kit company Back to the Roots, which was recently featuredon the coverdespite the fact that itsproducts arenot in a single Costco store.

Back to the Roots co-CEO Alex Alejandro says his companyis in talks with the retailer, making slow, cautious steps toward being stocked on itsshelves. The hope is that with more brand awareness, Back to the Roots will be ready for Costco soon. The retailer sees the magazine feature as a way to invest early in fledgling brands, for a long-term payoff.

Soit sounds like the retailer has learned a thing or twofrom running its own farms(plant a seed, wait for it to grow), which is creating more shopping options for health-minded shoppersof all budgets.

If you still cant quit your Whole Foods habit, heres what you can expect to see on their shelves in 2017. And have you heard about the potentially inflammatory ingredient that just got banned from organic food?

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Watch out, Whole Foods: How Costco became the most important player in the organic produce game - Well+Good

DUBLIN, Feb 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Organic Food & Beverages Market Analysis & Trends - Industry Forecast to 2025" report to their offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The Global Organic Food & Beverages Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of around 16.6% over the next decade to reach approximately $456 billion by 2025.

This industry report analyzes the market estimates and forecasts for all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies.

Some of the prominent trends that the market is witnessing include rising government support for organic agriculture, expansion of organic products beyond the natural channel, increasing connected shopper and proliferation of organic in food service.

Based on Product the market is categorized into food and beverages. Food segment is further sub- segmented into dairy products, baby food, meat, fish & poultry, fruits and vegetables, frozen & processed food, bakery products and others. Beverages are further sub -segmented beer & wine, coffee & tea, non-dairy beverages and others.

Depending on the Distribution channel the market is segmented by organic retailers, supermarkets and hypermarkets and online retailers.

Report Highlights:

- The report provides a detailed analysis on current and future market trends to identify the investment opportunities - Market forecasts till 2025, using estimated market values as the base numbers - Key market trends across the business segments, Regions and Countries - Key developments and strategies observed in the market - Market Dynamics such as Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and other trends - In-depth company profiles of key players and upcoming prominent players - Growth prospects among the emerging nations through 2025 - Market opportunities and recommendations for new investments

Key Topics Covered:

1 Market Outline 1.1 Research Methodology 1.1.1 Research Approach & Sources 1.2 Market Trends 1.3 Regulatory Factors 1.4 Product Analysis 1.5 Strategic Benchmarking 1.6 Opportunity Analysis

2 Executive Summary

3 Market Overview 3.1 Current Trends 3.1.1 Rising Government support for organic agriculture 3.1.2 Expansion of organic products beyond the natural channel 3.1.3 Increasing connected shopper 3.1.4 Proliferation of organic in food service 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Industry Attractiveness

4 Organic Food & Beverages Market, By Product 4.1 Food 4.1.1 Food Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.1 Dairy products 4.1.1.1.1 Dairy products Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.2 Baby food 4.1.1.2.1 Baby food Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.3 Meat, Fish & poultry 4.1.1.3.1 Meat, Fish & poultry Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.4 Fruits and vegetables 4.1.1.4.1 Fruits and vegetables Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.5 Frozen & Processed Food 4.1.1.5.1 Frozen & Processed Food Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.6 Bakery products 4.1.1.6.1 Bakery products Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.1.1.7 Others 4.1.1.7.1 Others Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.2 Beverages 4.2.1 Beverages Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.2.1.1 Beer & Wine 4.2.1.1.1 Beer & Wine Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.2.1.2 Coffee & Tea 4.2.1.2.1 Coffee & Tea Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.2.1.3 Non-Dairy Beverages 4.2.1.3.1 Non-Dairy Beverages Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 4.2.1.4 Others 4.2.1.4.1 Others

5 Organic Food & Beverages Market, By Distribution channel 5.1 Organic retailers 5.1.1 Organic retailers Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 5.2 Supermarkets and hypermarkets 5.2.1 Supermarkets and hypermarkets Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 5.3 Online retailers 5.3.1 Online retailers Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN)

6 Organic Food & Beverages Market, By Geography

7 Key Player Activities 7.1 Mergers & Acquisitions 7.2 Partnerships, Joint Venture's, Collaborations and Agreements 7.3 Product Launch & Expansions 7.4 Other Activities

8 Leading Companies

- Amy's Kitchen Inc. - Carrefour - Conagra Foods Inc. - Dakota Beef LLC - Dean Foods Co., - Koninklijke Ahold - Kraft Foods Group Inc. - Metro - Organic Valley - REWE - Tesco plc - Waitrose Ltd - Whole Foods Market Inc.

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/z9vcbw/global_organic

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Global Organic Food & Beverages Market Analysis & Trends 2013 ... - Yahoo Finance

Demand for organic food has grown exponentially in the United States over the past decade.

Grocery stores are adapting the products they offer to keep up with growing demand for organic and local food.

According to the Organic Trade Association, the amount of money Americans spend on organic food has more than doubled in the past decade, to more than $43 billion in 2015.

Hoosier grocers are responding to a demand for organic and local food by opening more stores and offering more products. Its a good thing for consumers, but its a gamble for some stores as they work to differentiate themselves from their competition and earn consumer business.

Marissa Foosaner shops at Bloomingfoods for most of her groceries. She says she likes the personalized feel of a co-op.

I think Bloomingfoods is special because it has so many organic products and its a more intimate store, Foosaner says. Kroger and all the other ones are so big that its hard to find everything. Everyone here is so nice and helpful.

Bloomingfoods also recognizes the importance of its relationship with customers.

Everybody that contacts me gets an answer or a phone call or a discussion because we care, says Bloomingfoods General Manager Tony Alongi. And Ive had people contact me: Please stop selling this product, please bring in this product, I dont like this policy. Everybody gets kinda personal attention.

But now other stores are starting to recognize the value of specialty products, and theyre beginning to implement them as well.

Kroger, for example, is beginning to move toward a more specialized approach with its products. The chain has 8.5 million customers everyday across the country, but each persons voice is still important.

I would say more and more is based on customer feedback, says Krogers manager of public affairs Eric Halvorson. We try to be open and if somebody wants to come in and say, Wed really like to see that, well listen. So I think its amazing how influential a few phone calls can be.

Along with more organic produce, Kroger stores have begun to carry more specialized products, just like Bloomingfoods has for years. That includes everything from coffee beans to organic soaps that are made in Indiana.

This reflects the growing need for organic products: a demand that grows 4to 8 percenteach year.

Organic Trade Association by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd

Along with a demand for organic products comes a demand for local products. Producers and retailers have even begun to affix Indiana Grown labels to their products to make it easier for customers to identify things that are local.

Ted McKinney, the director of the Indiana State Department Of Agriculture, says the need for local products is on the rise.

There is a desire on the part of many consumers to support that local farmer in his or her products. And I tell ya, its heartwarming to see that.

Ted McKinney, Ind. Dept. of Agriculture Director

There is a desire on the part of many consumers to support that local farmer in his or her products, McKinney said. And I tell ya, its heartwarming to see that.

Workers are finishing up construction on a Fresh Thyme store, opening in Bloomington next month. The store will specialize in local, organic food.

Then, a 365 by Whole Foods will open this fall within walking distance of Bloomingfoods flagship store.

Its a familiar situation for Bloomingfoods. Luckys, another specialized grocer that opened in Bloomington in 2015, siphoned a lot of business away from Bloomingfoods forcing the co-op to close the doors at its Elm Heights location the following Spring.

Bloomingfoods execs are taking a more aggressive stance this time. A group flew to Portland recently to see what theyre up against when Whole Foods opens.

So we wanted to get a jump on what the store was, what its gonna be, what might we need to do to compete better against that? Alongi says. So no, its not something we can wait. I think in fairness if you look at what happened when Luckys opened in town, we waited. And were not in a position to do that anymore.

The future, McKinney says, is about diversification. He thinks theres room for everyone because he doesnt anticipate demand slowing down.

The whole movement toward niche markets continues to grow nationwide and the same goes for here in Indiana, he says.

Excerpt from:

Indiana Grocers Adapt To Growing Demand For Local, Organic Food - Indiana Public Media

"Shoppers perceive organic to be healthy, tasty and are deciding that it is worth the money.The organic message is becoming better understood, and all the evidence we see is it is increasing partly because of the young audience coming into the market.

"2015 predicted the market was mostly wealthy, older people, but we found 65 per cent of them had come into the market since 2009 after the recession.

"The young people are engaged with food, the environment and health. Also, Brexit is an opportunity for farmers to exploit, because we are quite successful in exporting, especially in dairy."

Thomas Bourne, who represents a large group of organic farmers as a business development consultant at the Carswell Group in the south west, told The Telegraph: "Young people are a large and growing part of the consumer base with, often, a larger disposable income, and they are more digital savvy, more noisy online, more vocal and more connected via social media."

Read the original here:

Young shoppers drive organic food sales to a ten-year high - Telegraph.co.uk