Even with the bumps in the road (the economy, prices, and the like), organic continues to grow. No surprise there. The NPD Group, a leading market research company, forecasts that “better for you” foods, such as organic and light or low-calorie foods and beverages, will be among the fastest-growing food trends over the next decade. NPD is predicting a 41% growth in organics alone.
The back story here is that consumers are shifting their priorities. They’re interested in not only what's good for their health, but also what’s good for the health of the planet.
A recent MamboTrack study found that the majority of natural/organic consumers were not willing to give up eating healthy, despite the economy. Respondents said they would continue to buy healthy foods and many indicated that the "cost" of not doing so was too high — with costs to their health and the planet.
Organic food is better for the environment because it reduces our chemical exposure, with less contamination in the soil and the air (not to mention what we eat).
Moreover, organics are typically grown in a sustainable manner that not only treats the environment well but provides the workforce with a fair living and safe working conditions.
Economically speaking, a fair living for one benefits all. Plus, organic agriculture reduces our dependence on fossil fuels used to create chemical fertilizers.
And coinciding with the surge in organics is a distinct interest in eating local. Farmers markets are growing and often feature local organic farms. This too ties into quality-of-life for the agricultural workforce, increasing the number of self-employed farmers and entrepreneurs and further balancing wage disparities.
This trend toward organics will have a lasting impact. Young families are committing to natural and organic living, raising a new generation of children who will see these earth-friendly habits as a regular way of life.