No Slowing of Organics’ Momentum
Back in January, when I wrote about 2009 trends, I wondered aloud if the recession would rein in all the interest and growth in local and organic foods.
Organics, especially, are more or less a luxury for the middle class and particularly the poor, because they often are much more expensive than their conventional counterparts.
When money is tight, luxuries are the first thing to go. I just heard last week from chefs saying how hard country clubs have been hit, with quite a few chefs being laid off as membership declines.
So I was pleasantly surprised to read a 2009 survey sponsored by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and KIWI Magazine that indicates that organics are doing quite well.
The survey reports that three in 10 U.S. families say they are buy more organic foods this year than last year.
Perhaps even more impressive, the study reports that 73 percent of U.S. families now buy organics at least occasionally. Clearly, some folks who are NOT rolling in dough, give organic food a high priority. The study said that most people cite health as the reason for buying organics.
If other studies and data emerge that back up this one, I think it’s safe to say there’s no stopping organics. And that’s a good thing, no matter what you might think of organics, or this grassroots movement becoming big business.
