Archive for the ‘Organic Food’ Category
Innovation, health & home delivery: Drivers for organic food growth … – FoodNavigator.com
Posted: August 22, 2017 at 4:43 am
Innovative products in the organic sector are continuing to contribute to its growth in 2017, as non-dairy milks, nutty butters and confectionery join traditional recipe snacks.
According to the Soil Association, innovation coupled with market demand mean that organic products are now available in over 8,000 outlets in the UK including all major retailers as well as online.
There is a huge variety of interesting products coming to market, from nut butters and milks to seaweed, said the Associations business development director, Clare McDermott.
Shoppers are looking for new and interesting food trends and organic is well placed to deliver these.
Brands like Rebel Kitchen and Plenish are highlighting the benefits of non-dairy milks, tapping into growing demand in the alternative protein space. Plant-based protein products are often viewed as healthier and better for the environment.
Clearspring, on the other hand, nowoffers UK consumers healthy snacks featuring traditional Japanese and Nordic recipes.Its use of Japanese and European foods and ingredients that are vegetarian and vegan-friendly appear to resonate with the organic consumer, who is also drawn to the companys use of environmentally sustainable and non-GM ingredients.
The Raw Chocolate Company are also getting in on the act with products rooted to simple, transparent recipes.
By using raw food materials like cacao beans and cacao butter, plus sugar alternatives like coconut sugar, lucuma or xylitol, the company have looked to strengthed its organic credentials amongst a consumer base that is largely made up of a new generation of shopper.
The continued growth is driven widely by younger consumers, with the 24 44 age group being the most committed to buying organic, said the Association.
Shoppers are increasingly seeking out healthy food, as reflected in booming sales of organic produce, up by 7.4%.
The rise in organic sales is in line with heightened consumer awareness and interest in wellbeing, with more health-conscious consumers making nutritious food choices including smoothies, salads, fresh dairy and cereals, as well as the desire to try new products.
Key growth areas of organic in the 52 weeks to 1 July 2017 include spreads and preserves, including nut butters (+21%) and fruit (+12.6%). Tomatosales were up by 13.1% and bananas marked the highest growth of any food and drink product in the organic sector with sales soaring by over 25.5%.
Meanwhile, confectionery and soft drinks (+8.3%) made solid gains, alongside salads (+7.9%) and cereals (+6.5%). Dairy, the largest market sector for organic, grew 1.25% overall. Butter attained growth figures of 9.2% and milk sales rose by 2.9%.
The other major trend is health and consumers will often see organic as a short cut to health, particularly with the nutritional research published by Newcastle University supporting this, added McDermott.
Health places high on the agenda for organic consumers, who may also be parents. In discussing the introduction of organic-based foods to children, McDermott said that baby food has always had the highest penetration of all organic categories.
Research that we carried out last year showed a key demographic to be Caring Parents who want to do the best for their families but are aware that they do not control everything that children eat.
Eating outside the home plays an increasing role and parents will actively look for organic and healthy options on menus; our Out to Lunch campaign looked at the quality of food served in visitor attractions.
With figures showing that 82% of UK shoppers purchasing at least one organic item per year, up from 79.5% in 2016, the onus is now on supermarkets to satisfy this demand and become the first port of call for consumers, who are increasingly interested in their foods origins and production methods, the sector body suggested.
"Organic fruit is very popular at Waitrose, with blueberries being one of our top selling organic products, appealing to those who are searching out healthy options, saidKate Gibbs, brand manager at Waitrose.
We are also seeing significant increases in sales of other fruits such as raspberries and apricots. We also find fish and other lean proteins to be examples of the growth in organic within the segment of consumers who are focused on health and wellbeing."
With Waitrose amongst the supermarkets offering an increasingly diverse range of organic produce, smaller and budget retailers have also begun introducing an organic offering designed to appeal to the cost-conscious consumer.
As McDermott points out, many items and brands are offered at the same price point as non-organic products available in outlets including all the discounters like Aldi, Lidl and Costco.
Alongside the discounters, e-commerce represents a high-growth channel for organic suppliers in the UK.Home delivery is one of the fastest-growing channels for consumers to buy organic, with much growth in the UK being led by Ocado and box schemes,said McDermott.As per our market report, growth was 10.5% and Ocado sales grew 16% in 2016.
McDermott expects online sales to continue to grow apace.Home Delivery will only grow for organic as it offers a wider choice of products and more direct access toproducer,she predicted.
In particular, the news that Amazon is to buy US natural food retailer Whole Foods Market for 11.7bn (10.7bn) could have some significant implications for British organic e-commerce sales.
Whole Foods has a small physical retail presence in the UK, where it operates five stores, but it is anticipated that Amazon will extend Whole Foods' branded presence - which focuses on natural and organic items - via its Amazon Fresh platform.
Amazon Fresh has generated a lot of interest in the areas that it has launched and included many organic brands," McDermott suggested.Amazon buying Wholefoods will help this growth as Wholefoods already offer a significant number of organic brands andproduceand this will make it more widely available.
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Innovation, health & home delivery: Drivers for organic food growth ... - FoodNavigator.com
Organic Foods Market Outlook Report 2017-2027 – PR Newswire – PR Newswire (press release)
Posted: at 4:43 am
Succinct organic foods market analysis?
Sectoral insights?
Clear competitor analysis?
Actionable business recommendations?
(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/523989/Visiongain_Logo.jpg )
Read On To Discover How This Definitive Report Can Transform Your Own Research And Save You Time.
Many factors contribute to the growth of the global organic foods market. Demand is increasing among the increasingly health-conscious population around the world who perceive and believe organic foods to be healthier, better tasting, more nutritious and better for the environment, despite the scientific evidence for these claims being inconclusive. Nevertheless, retailers and food service outlets are catering to this trend with new product launches resulting in growing availability of organic food as more shelf space is allotted to these products in retail chains. In parallel to this, marketing activities are being implemented by major brands to create more awareness about organic products.
However, despite a considerable number of growth drivers, the organic foods market faces challenges that could impede market growth over the coming years. One of the main challenges is the relatively high price of organic foods. Nonetheless Visiongain assesses that the global organic foods market will reach $103 billion in spending in 2017 with a promising growth trajectory.
Report Highlights
90+ Quantitative Tables, Charts, And Graphs
Analysis Of Key Players In Organic Foods
Amy's Kitchen
Arla Foods
Aurora Organic Dairy
Campbell Soup Company
Cargill
Cliff Bar & Company
Conagra Brands
Dean Foods
Dole Foods Company
Eden Foods
General Mills
HiPP
Nature's Path Foods
Nature's SunGrown Foods
Newman's Own
Organic Valley
Perdue Farms
SunOpta
The JM Smucker Company
WhiteWave Foods
Global Organic Foods Market Outlook And Analysis From 2017-2027
Organic Foods Type Projections, Analysis And Potential From 2017-2027
Fruits & Vegetables Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Bakery & Confectionary Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Dairy & Frozen Desserts Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Packaged Grocery Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Meat, Fish, & Poultry Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Other Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Organic Foods Market Outlook Report 2017-2027
Organic Foods Channel Forecasts And Analysis From 2017-2027
Food Retail Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Food Service Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Regional Organic Foods Market Forecast From 2017-2027
North America Organic Foods Market Forecast 2017-2027
US Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Canada Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Asia Pacific Organic Foods Market Forecast 2017-2027
China Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Japan Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
India Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Australia - New Zealand Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Europe Organic Foods Market Forecast 2017-2027
Germany Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
UK Organic Food Forecast 2017-2027
France Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Italy Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Spain Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Rest of the World (RoW) Organic Foods Market Forecast 2017-2027
Brazil Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
South Organic Foods Forecast 2017-2027
Key Questions Answered
How is the Organic Foods market evolving?
What is driving and restraining the Organic Foods market dynamics?
What are the market shares of the Organic Foods submarkets in 2017?
How will each Organic Foods submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2027?
What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2017-2027?
How will political and regulatory factors influence the regional and national markets and submarkets?
How will the market shares of the regional and national markets change by 2027 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2027?
Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?
Target Audience
Organic food companies
Food manufacturers
Ingredient suppliers
Food wholesalers
Food distributors
Food retailers
Food technologists
Food scientists
Consultants
Market analysts
CEO's
CIO's
COO's
Business development managers
Investors
Governments agencies
Industry organisations
Regulators
Associations
Banks
To request a report overview of this report please email Sara Peerun at sara.peerun@visiongain.com or call Tel: +44-(0)-20-7336-6100
Or click on https://www.visiongain.com/Report/1962/Organic-Foods-Market-Outlook-Report-2017-2027
Companies Mentioned
Ahold
Albert's Organic Inc
Alnatura
Amy's Kitchen Inc.
Arla Foods
ArNoCo GmbH & Co. KG
Originally posted here:
Organic Foods Market Outlook Report 2017-2027 - PR Newswire - PR Newswire (press release)
Shoppers Choosing ‘Organic’ Produce – Convenience Store Decisions
Posted: August 13, 2017 at 11:44 pm
One in five consumers overall agree that organic foods are worth the extra cost.
Customers dont always opt for organic foods, but when it comes to produce, its a high priority.
New research from Mintel reveals that half (50%) of consumers say they are most likely to purchase organic fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, compared to other food categories like meats/poultry/seafood (41%), juice (39%) and dairy/milk/yogurt (38%).
While three in 10 (29%) Americans say they do not typically buy food and drink with an organic or natural claim, these products are finding their place in shopping carts across the country. One third (32%) of consumers say half or more of the groceries they buy are organic.
Whether a cart full or just a few items, nearly three in five (57%) Americans agree that today they are buying the same amount of organic foods as they did in 2016. However, it appears preference for organic options is on the rise as one third (34%) say they are buying more organic foods in 2017 than a year ago.
Mintel research indicates that price and authenticity are purchase deterrents, even among organic shoppers. Just two in five (39%) consumers whose food purchases are at least half organic and one in five (21%) consumers overall agree that organic foods are worth the extra cost. In fact, Americans are most likely to say they would purchase more organic foods if they were less expensive (62%). Highly skeptical of organic claims, just one quarter (26%) of consumers say they trust organic food labels, while a mere 13% agree that organic foods are highly regulated. For many, brand name outweighs an organic label as just one in seven (14%) consumers agree that an organic claim is more important than a specific brand.
The fact that consumers are more likely to seek organic fresh produce items not only speaks to the lack of organic options in certain segments, but also to the notion that organic claims simply resonate in some categories more so than in others. Our research shows that organic brands appeal to younger consumers, but there is significant effort required to persuade older generations of the value of organic or natural claims. This indicates that if organic brands can reassure consumers that organic foods are indeed living up to their claims, whether through on-pack messaging or marketing campaigns, it could be a boon to the category, said Billy Roberts, senior food and drink analyst at Mintel.
In addition to organics being more affordable, Americans say they would be motivated to purchase more organic foods if they were proven to be healthier (33%) and stayed fresher longer (31%). And with organic consumers the most likely to say they purchase organic foods and beverages at a supermarket (55%) or mass merchandiser (36%), more than one quarter (27%) of Americans overall agree they would purchase more organic foods if there were more organic options from major brands. Meanwhile, one in seven (13%) of those who purchase organic foods shop through online channels, including both delivery and in-store pickup.
Overall, Mintel research shows that feeling good inside and out compels consumption for natural and organic food shoppers. More than one quarter (28%) of Americans agree that they feel better about themselves when buying organic foods, rising to nearly half (48%) of those who are buying more organic foods this year. Whats more, 28% of consumers overall report buying natural/organic products because they know these products are better for them, again, rising to half (49%) of those consumers who are buying more organic foods this year.
While consumers overall may be unaware of organics traits or the precise benefits of eating organically, the products do enjoy a positive reputation and generally appear to make consumers feel good about their purchase, even if it comes at a higher cost. More affordable organic options would do well with consumers and more private-label options are emerging that could help push prices down. While consumers pay attention to brand names, in their eyes, there is little difference between national brand and store-brand organic options. As such, a considerable price difference could compel consumers to turn away from national brands in favor of a comparable option with an organic claim, concluded Roberts.
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Shoppers Choosing 'Organic' Produce - Convenience Store Decisions
10 ways to save money on organic groceries – The Washington Post – Washington Post
Posted: at 11:44 pm
Organic groceries can cost you more than twice as much as conventional groceries. For example, you could get a basket filled with conventional chicken, eggs, milk, zucchini, carrots and apples for $10.68. But if you bought the organic versions of those same products, you might pay $24.21, according to Consumer Reports. Yet many people would like to buy organic, either for the health of their families or the health of the planet.
When my family began this adventure in eating whole and natural foods, we experienced sticker shock, said Chrissy Pate who runs the savings website BeCentsable.net. So, I did some research and found that great benefits could be had from making some smaller changes in the right areas.
Pate found that you dont have to spend your whole paycheck to go organic. Instead you can graze through a variety of strategies and do quite well. There are simple, practical ways to get deep discounts on organic products. Here are 10 methods:
[Tech has taken the work out of couponing. Heres how to save big with little effort.]
1. Prioritize your organics. The Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability Center says produce is the highest priority thing to buy organic, in order to avoid pesticide residues. But even within that category you can cut costs with this loose guideline: If a fruit or vegetable has a protective peel that you do not eat, buying organic is less important.
Consumer Reports says organic poultry, meat and dairy are of medium to high importance, in order to avoid antibiotics and hormones and to get the most nutritious benefits. Lowest priority are packaged foods, since they are highly processed even if theyre organic.
2. Try a regular store. You dont have to go to a specialty store for organics. Conventional grocery chains like Safeway and Giant have devoted more and more space to organic foods as their popularity has surged. Their organic prices are often fairly close to their regular prices, but you should shop and compare to make sure. Also watch out for conventional and organic produce that are displayed next to each other, as store misters could spread pesticide residue from one to the other.
3. Try a small store. When Consumers Checkbook shopped around for organic produce, it found that prices at Moms Organic Market were eight percent lower than those at other Washington-area grocery stores. Trader Joes stores are small, but carry many organic foods. When MarketWatch compared Trader Joes prices with those of three other stores, it said Trader Joes was by far the cheapest.
4. Try a big store. Costco boasts that its Kirkland Signature Organics line will save consumers 20 percent. Walmart is now the biggest seller of organics in America, and since its known for its rock-bottom prices, its worth a look. Target stores especially Super Targets have also made a huge investment in organics.
5. Shop online. I tested online grocers for a Dr. Oz Show segment and found that Thrive Market was promising. We bought a months worth of snacks for a family of four, and Thrives price was $46, compared to $61 at a specialty grocery store. An intriguing newcomer is called Brandless.com. Brandless sells page after page of organics and every product is $3! As you can guess from the name, the products are simply packaged, no-name items.
[Parents, do you have the best 529 college savings plan? (Yes, you can choose.)]
6. Go generic. Regardless whether you are shopping at a conventional, big, little, or online store, generic organics are another way to save. For example, Safeway has its O brand and Whole Foods house brand is called 365. Consumers Checkbook found that often these generic organics were cheaper than the equivalent name-brand conventional foods. The website Cheapism.com found 200 Whole Foods 365 foods that were less expensive than equivalent products at regular grocery stores.
7. Use coupons. Yes! Organic coupons do exist. Dont be fooled into thinking you cant get coupons on these types of items, said Pate. There is a growing customer base for organic foods and, as a result, companies are competing harder to get your business!
First of all, most coupons offered for things like spaghetti sauce are good for the companys conventional sauces or organic sauces, even if the conventional sauce is the one pictured on the coupon.
The other trick is to simply search the name of an organic brand you like and the word coupons and see whats out there. I found five different coupons for Annies Homegrown products this way and even a coupon to receive $1 off of Earthbound Farms organic lettuces. You can also sign up for your favorite organic brands newsletter. They often contain generous coupons. Bonus tip: Create a separate email address just for shopping to avoid clogging up your main email account.
8. Save on non-food groceries. Get other products for little or nothing and then spend the money saved on organics. This is totally doable if you match coupons with sales or stack multiple coupons together, as I explained in my June 6 column. Thanks to websites that find the deals for you, its not hard.
For example, as I write this you can get shaving cream and deodorant for free at CVS, shampoo and Kleenex for free at Target, and Band-Aids and tape for free at Walmart. Several of these deals even allow you to make a profit by combining coupons and sales and getting cash back.
9. Go natural. There are three tips within this tip. The first is to shop seasonally because produce, in particular, is far less expensive when its in season. Second, why not grow your own? This year I spent $31 on seeds for my small garden in D.C., and I estimate its generated many times that in organic veggies. The third idea is to join a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You are basically subscribing to a local farmer and usually go to a central location weekly to pick up a box of organic food. I once compared a Sandy Spring, Md., CSAs prices with grocery store prices and found they paid $11 less for their box of nine vegetables.
10. Know your labels. And finally, make sure the food you are buying is all you hope it is. The reliable labels to look for are USDA Organic, Certified Organic and 100% Organic. Made with organic ingredients means a product only has to be 70 percent organic. And terms like cage-free arent tightly regulated, so you have to rely on the producers integrity. Even the terms natural and all-natural are misleading because they dont have any government force behind them.
Heres the proof that it works: I put together an all-organic grocery list that included milk, three yogurts, peanut butter, eggs and lettuce mix. If I paid full price, my tab would be $35.55. But by combining several of the strategies above warehouse buys, generics and coupons I was able to get this basketful of food for just $22.80. Thats a 36-percent savings and a relief.
Elisabeth Leamy is a 13-time Emmy winner and 25-year consumer advocate for programs such as Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show. Connect with her at leamy.com and @ElisabethLeamy.
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10 ways to save money on organic groceries - The Washington Post - Washington Post
EC battles organic food fraud with ‘fingerprinting’ test – Food Navigator – FoodNavigator.com
Posted: at 11:44 pm
By Katy AskewKaty Askew , 07-Aug-20172017-08-07T00:00:00ZLast updated on 08-Aug-2017 at 11:21 GMT2017-08-08T11:21:12Z
The European Commissions Joint Research Centre (JRC) has developed a new metabolomics fingerprinting methodology that, the researchers say, could be used to authenticate organic food products.
The JRCs findings were based on a multi-year field study of comparative metabolomics combined with chemometry applied to carrots originating from different agronomic environments. Over a four-year period, JRC scientists performed a biochemical analysis on untargeted liquid chromatographymass spectrometry (LCMS) metabolomics of conventional and organic carrots.
Carrot samples of Nerac and Namur varieties were collected directly from fields in the Walloon region of Belgium. The extracts from the carrot samples were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Using what the JRC describes as a strict quality control scheme, the data was subsequently exported for multivariate statistical analysis.
Compounds were identified following guidelines of the Metabolomics Standards Initiative and, with the use of chemometry, the JRC said it was possible to classify samples according to agricultural practices and predict the origin of unknown samples.
Several markers related to carbohydrate metabolism and plant defense mechanism were identified as responsible for the differences between organic and conventional agricultural systems, the researchers concluded.
This is the first time that a metabolomics approach has been used for organic food authentication purposes in a long-term field study and, by using external validation sample sets, to predict the origin of unknown samples.
According to data from organic trade body IFOAM EU, the total value of the EU organic retail market doubled from 11.1bn in 2005 to 24bn in 2014.
Expansion of farmland cultivated under organic standards has not kept pace with consumer-driven demand growth. In 2014, 10.3m hectares of farmland was managed organically, which corresponds to 5.7% of the total utilised agricultural area in the EU. But the annual growth of organically managed land slowed down to 1.1% in that year, IFOAM revealed in a recent research report, Organic in Europe, prospectsand developments 2016.
This imbalance of supply and demand, coupled with the premium consumers are willing to pay for organic products, have the potential to encourage fraudulent organic sales, the JRC warned.
The overall challenge faced by the organic sector is to ensure a steady growth of supply and demand,while maintaining consumers' trust. An element to be considered is the pressure of demand that also increases the risk of fraudulent behavioursor other intentional violations. Not only do they harm consumers' interest and cause economic damages distorting competition, but they can also negatively impact on reputationof organic operators that are complying with the rules, the JRC said.
The European Union is targeting increased traceability in the organic sector in order to combat potential fraud. Earlier this year, a new system to electronically certify imported organic food and ingredients came into effect, with the aim of reducing fraud and collecting reliable data on the sector.
UK-based trade body the Organic Trade Board stressed that organic products are already highly trusted and "welcomed" any efforts to further decrease the risk of food fraud. Organic is one of the most highly regulated areas of the food industry, which gives consumers huge levels of reassurance that what they buy is what they are expecting. We would, of course, welcome anything that can uphold the integrity of the food industry but the certification process for organic itself already makes food fraud an unlikely occurrence,"Anna Rosier, OTB director, told FoodNavigator.
While the researchers noted that further studies are required, they suggested that a pan-European study including greater variability, such as the inclusion of different geographical locations with different pedo-climatic conditions, could allow for the development of robust classification models to be ready for use in food authentication control practices.
Source: Food ChemistryVolume 239, 15 January 2018, Pages 760-770, doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.06.161"Metabolomics for organic food authentication: Results from a long-term field study in carrots"Authors: E. Cubero-Leon, Olivier De Rudder, et al
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EC battles organic food fraud with 'fingerprinting' test - Food Navigator - FoodNavigator.com
10 ways to save on organic groceries – Chicago Tribune – Chicago Tribune
Posted: at 11:44 pm
Organic groceries can cost you more than twice as much as conventional groceries. For example, you could get a basket filled with conventional chicken, eggs, milk, zucchini, carrots and apples for $10.68. But if you bought the organic versions of those same products, you might pay $24.21, according to Consumer Reports. Yet many people would like to buy organic, either for the health of their families or the health of the planet.
"When my family began this adventure in eating whole and natural foods, we experienced sticker shock," said Chrissy Pate who runs the savings website BeCentsable.net. "So, I did some research and found that great benefits could be had from making some smaller changes in the right areas."
Pate found that you don't have to spend your "whole paycheck" to go organic. Instead you can graze through a variety of strategies and do quite well. There are simple, practical ways to get deep discounts on organic products. Here are 10 methods:
1. Prioritize your organics.
The Consumer Reports' Food Safety and Sustainability Center says produce is the highest priority thing to buy organic, to avoid pesticide residues. But even within that category you can cut costs with this loose guideline: If a fruit or vegetable has a protective peel that you do not eat, buying organic is less important.
Consumer Reports says organic poultry, meat and dairy are of medium to high importance, to avoid antibiotics and hormones and to get the most nutritious benefits. Lowest priority are packaged foods, since they are highly processed even if they're organic.
2. Try a regular store.
You don't have to go to a specialty store for organics. Conventional grocery chains like Safeway and Giant have devoted more and more space to organic foods as their popularity has surged. Their organic prices are often fairly close to their regular prices, but shop and compare to make sure. Also watch out for conventional and organic produce that are displayed next to each other, as store misters could spread pesticide residue from one to the other.
3. Try a small store.
When Consumers Checkbook shopped for organic produce, for example, it found that prices at Mom's Organic Market were eight percent lower than those at other Washington-area grocery stores. Trader Joe's stores are small but carry many organic foods. When MarketWatch compared Trader Joe's prices with those of three other stores, it said "Trader Joe's was by far the cheapest."
Produce guide: The dirty dozen and clean fifteen
4. Try a big store.
Costco boasts that its Kirkland Signature Organics line will save consumers 20 percent. Walmart is now the biggest seller of organics in America, and since it's known for its rock-bottom prices, it's worth a look. Target stores, especially Super Targets, have also made a huge investment in organics.
5. Shop online.
I tested online grocers for a "Dr. Oz Show" segment and found that Thrive Market was promising. A month's worth of snacks for a family of four was $46, compared to $61 at a specialty grocery store. An intriguing newcomer is called Brandless.com. Brandless sells page after page of organics and every product is $3! As you can guess from the name, the products are simply packaged, no-name items.
6. Go generic.
Regardless of whether you are shopping at a conventional, big, little, or online store, generic organics are another way to save. For example, Safeway has it's "O" brand and Whole Foods' house brand is called "365." Consumers Checkbook found that often these generic organics were cheaper than the equivalent name-brand conventional foods. The website Cheapism.com found 200 Whole Foods 365 foods that were less expensive than equivalent products at regular grocery stores.
7. Use coupons.
Yes! Organic coupons do exist. "Don't be fooled into thinking you can't get coupons on these types of items," said Pate. "There is a growing customer base for organic foods and, as a result, companies are competing harder to get your business!"
Most coupons offered for things like spaghetti sauce are good for the company's conventional sauces or organic sauces, even if the conventional sauce is the one pictured on the coupon.
The other trick is to simply search the name of an organic brand you like and the word "coupons" and see what's out there. I found five different coupons for Annie's Homegrown products this way and even a coupon to receive $1 off of Earthbound Farms organic lettuces. You can also sign up for your favorite organic brands' newsletter. They often contain generous coupons. Bonus tip: Create a separate email address just for shopping to avoid clogging up your main email account.
8. Save on nonfood groceries.
Get other products for little or nothing and then spend the money saved on organics. This is possible if you match coupons with sales or stack multiple coupons together. Thanks to websites that find the deals for you, it's not hard.
For example, as I write this you can get shaving cream and deodorant for free at CVS, shampoo and Kleenex for free at Target, and Band-Aids and tape for free at Walmart. Several of these deals even allow you to make a profit by combining coupons and sales and getting cash back.
9. Go natural.
There are three tips within this tip. The first is to shop seasonally because produce, in particular, is far less expensive when it's in season. Second, why not grow your own? This year I spent $31 on seeds for my small garden, and I estimate it's generated many times that in organic veggies. The third idea is to join a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You are basically subscribing to a local farmer and usually go to a central location weekly to pick up a box of organic food. I once compared a local CSA's prices with grocery store prices and found they paid $11 less for their box of nine vegetables.
10. Know your labels.
Finally, make sure the food you are buying is all you hope it is. The reliable labels to look for are "USDA Organic," "Certified Organic" and "100% Organic." "Made with organic ingredients" means a product has to be only 70 percent organic. Terms like "cage-free" aren't tightly regulated, so you have to rely on the producer's integrity. Even the terms "natural" and "all-natural" are misleading because they have no government force behind them.
Here's the proof that it works: I put together an all-organic grocery list that included milk, three yogurts, peanut butter, eggs and lettuce mix. If I paid full price, my tab would be $35.55. But by combining several of the strategies above -- warehouse buys, generics and coupons -- I was able to get this basketful of food for just $22.80. That's a 36 percent savings -- and a relief.
Leamy is a 13-time Emmy winner and 25-year consumer advocate for programs such as "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show."
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10 ways to save on organic groceries - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune
Fresh produce is the choice for organic shoppers – ProduceRetailer
Posted: at 11:44 pm
When consumers buy organic, they buy fresh fruits and vegetables.According to a July research report from Mintel, 50% of U.S. consumers say they are most likely to purchase organic fresh produce compared to other food categories like meats/poultry/seafood (41%), juice (39%) and dairy (38%).Nearly one-third (32%) of consumers say half or more of the groceries they buy are organic, while just 29% say they do not typically buy food with an organic or natural claim. As one would expect, the research showed that price was a main deterrent to organic purchase, with 62% saying they would purchase more organic foods if they were less expensive.However one troubling statistic shows a lack of trust in the U.S. Department of Agricultures certified organic seal. Just over one-quarter (26%) of consumers say they trust organic food labels, while just 13% agree that organic foods are highly regulated.Our research shows that organic brands appeal to younger consumers, but there is significant effort required to persuade older generations of the value of organic or natural claims, said Billy Roberts, Senior Food and Drink Analyst at Mintel.Consumers say they purchase organic foods and beverages most often at a supermarket (55%) or mass merchandiser (36%). And 27% agree they would purchase more organic foods if there were more organic options from major brands.
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Fresh produce is the choice for organic shoppers - ProduceRetailer
Hunger for organic food continues to grow | Food Dive – Food Dive
Posted: August 1, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Dive Brief:
Despite the heftier price tag, sales of organic food items continue to rise. USA Today reports sales of organic food is up 8.4% over the previous year, hitting a record 43 billion in sales in 2016.
Consumers are most concerned with purchasing organic fruits and vegetables. According to the Organic Trade Associations 2017 Organic Industry Survey, roughly 40% of all organic food sales were produce. That translates to about 15% of all the fruits and vegetables Americans eat.
Organic food is steadily making its way into the shopping carts of more consumers. Organic foods are in 82.3% of the countrys 117 million households. While thats reason for organic producers to cheer, it still only represents 5.3% of total retail food sales in the U.S.
Consumers are clearly willing to pay more for organic food, but do they really know what theyre getting? There remains confusion between the labels "organic"and "natural"on food packaging. Organic certification is a process and means the product has no antibiotics, no artificial colors, no GMOs and no synthetic pesticides. Despite its popularity with consumers, "natural" has not been officially defined by the Food and Drug Administration, and the term has no consistent meaning.
Food manufacturers are wasting no time in jumping on the organic bandwagon. Coca-Cola has organic Honest Tea, Campbell Soup has the Plum Organics baby food line, and Hormel sells organic meat under the label Applegate Farms. Food giant General Mills is also expanding its organic products, which saw 350% growth over the last 5 years, according to the USA Today report.Amazon's $13.7 billion pending purchase of Whole Foods Marketsalso pushes this trend forward.
One group thats having a harder time keeping up with increased demand for organic produce is the American farmer. The process of transitioning to organic is both expensive and lengthy, taking roughly three years. This often holds farmers back from making the change, though a new U.S. Department of Agriculture transitional certification may help those efforts.
Shoppers are willing to pay more for that bag of organic carrots, too. The Hartman Group, a food and beverage research firm, found that consumers are comfortable being charged more for organic food, especially when it comes to vegetables, fruit and poultry. Specifically, they found roughly 44% of shoppers are willing to pay up to 20% more for fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Thirty-seven percent are inclined to fork over that much more for organic poultry, too. However, that number drastically drops off when it comes to pre-packaged goods like crackers and soy sauce.
Thats not stopping food manufacturers from cranking up production on organic and non-GMO sauces and condiments, though. A recent report lists demand for organic sauces and condiments as a trend that is building steam. It just may be a little while before demand for organic ketchup catches up with demand for organic blueberries.
But does consuming produce thats never been exposed to pesticides truly have a lasting impact on health? Consumers think so, as theyre paying more to put organic spinach in their cart. When it comes to the experts, though, opinions are mixed.
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Hunger for organic food continues to grow | Food Dive - Food Dive
Organic Food is Actually Cheaper than Conventional (Yes, Really!) – Organic Authority
Posted: at 9:41 pm
iStock/Rafal Olkis
When you talk to folks who havent yet switched to organic, one of their most oft-stated reasons is the price. I just cant afford to buy organic food, theyll say. Its too expensive.
And we get it we really do. When youre feeding a large family or even just yourself switching from conventional to organic food can be a real adjustment. Sometimes, choosing organic over conventional can be the difference between going on vacation, buying a new pair of shoes, or even going to the movies in a given month.
But a new study from sustainability consultant Soil & More might change that perception: this company worked with accounting firm EY and organic fruit specialist Eosta to take a look at the true cost of food, and the results show that while the price tag of conventional may make it look cheaper in stores, the actual price of organics is far less not just when it comes to agriculture and the environment, but also with regard to consumer health.
Intensive farming from monoculture to the large-scale use of pesticides has led to a depletion of natural capital, explains a news release from Eosta, while current production methods continue to damage social capital, i.e. the welfare of communities.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the hidden negative impact of food production on natural and social capital amounts to over $5 trillion every year.
The study, entitled True Cost Accounting in Food, Farming, and Finance, looked at nine different products from all over the world, including apples and pears from Argentina, citrus from South America and Africa, and pineapple from Costa Rica. Accountants calculated the true cost of the food, including the cost of water pollution, pesticide exposure, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion, with data provided by the European Food and Safety Authority, Danish scientist Peter Fantke, and the EcoInvent database as well as the World Health Organization.
We have developed a practical dashboard for small and medium-sized enterprises in the food, farming, and finance sectors that monetizes the hidden impacts of food production on people and plants, explains Volkert Engelsman, CEO of Eosta.
While conventional often seems cheaper in stores, once these other factors were introduced, organic producewas the less pricey option in every single comparison made. Specific results were often astounding, with a Argentinian apples demonstrating the largest true price difference: organic apples had a 19 Euro cents/kilo advantage over conventional.
This is, of course, an interesting social experiment, but the folks at Soil & More and Eosta hope to take it further.
We need True Cost Accounting to put a conscience in our economy, says Alexis van Erp, Web and Sustainability Coordinator at Eosta. In our current economy, companies are rewarded if they keep the cost of negative impacts on natural and social capital out of the books and out of sight of the consumer and deflect it to other places and future generations.
On the other hand, companies who have a more positive impact are not rewarded by banks, but rather punished, because they seem to have higher costs, thoughthey actually dont; they just dont externalize them.
This new way of looking at things brings the negative impacts of conventional agriculture into the limelight, presenting it more clearly to consumers.
Natural capital and social capital arebasically invisible to accountants, says van Erp. True Cost Accounting is a way to make the impacts on natural and social capital visible, a way to take the hidden costs of production into account.
Industry experts and European governments haveapplauded these new methods, with HRH Prince Charles congratulating Eosta on the groundbreaking new report at the Harmony in Food and Farming Conference held in mid-July. The Prince has long supported such a tack, noting thatthe current obsession with the bottom line is not the most advantageous way to approach the cost of food production. The Prince first called for the inclusion of the true cost of products in profit calculations in December 2013.
The financial market needs to adopt True Cost Accounting and reward producers who have a positive effect on planet and people and create a level playing field, says van Erp. Otherwise it will continue forcing us to slide down on a path of ugly exploitation, and think about ridiculous escapes such as fleeing off to Mars; while in fact we areperfectly capable of creating a more beautiful earth, enhancing nature, and creating an environment we love to live in. Its possible, as many organic and biodynamic farms are showing us.
Nature & More has already put True Cost information about specific products on its customer website, and some supermarkets began displaying information cards showing the true price of food in the UK last year.
Engelsman notes that the next step will be to take this pilot program and apply it more broadly: an ambitious task, but one that seems unlikely to pose too much of a challenge, as companies are already lining up to apply this method to their own businesses.
True Cost Accounting changes the definition of profit and tackles perverse incentives, saidPeter Bakker, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, in a press release. I predict that it will seriously affect the valuation of companies and their access to capital within a few years.
Related on Organic AuthorityAmericans Buying More Organic Products than Ever BeforeUSDA Aims to Help Small Farmers Fund Organic Certification CostsResearch that Claims Non-GMO Foods Are More Expensive Relied on Biased Data, EWG Reports
Emily Monaco is an American food and culture writer based in Paris. She loves uncovering the stories behind ingredients and exposing the face of our food system, so that consumers can make educated choices. Her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Vice Munchies, and Serious Eats.
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Organic Food is Actually Cheaper than Conventional (Yes, Really!) - Organic Authority
USDA Program to Help Organic Food Producers, Handlers in Garden State – SNJ Today
Posted: at 9:41 pm
State officials have announced a new program that they hope will better assist organic producers or handlers.
Officials with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture say they are now accepting applications for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Programto help reduce organic certification costs.
The program, which is run bythe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), would allow each qualified producer or handler of organic food products to be eligible for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of its costs of certification, andcan not exceed $750.
Officials hope the new program will better promote Garden State-grown and marketed organic food products.
To qualify for reimbursement, producers or handlers must have been certified between Saturday, October 1st,2016 and Saturday, September 30th,2017.
Applications are due no later than Friday,November 17thof this year.
For an application or for more information visit: nj.gov/agriculture
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USDA Program to Help Organic Food Producers, Handlers in Garden State - SNJ Today