Distributing Organic Foods Needs Strengthening

Few Organizations Exist Specifically to Wholesale or Even Retail Organic Food!

 

 

Relatively few wholesalers--even retailers--focus chiefly on selling organic food.  Why?  Because, although the market for organic food increases exponentially,  it is still a very limited market, a very geographically scattered market--in other words, a very weak market  Few distributors can make a living selling only "organic."  To survive, they must offer so-called "natural foods" and a variety of other products.

 

Powerful, But Pitifully Small!

 

 

The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (http://www.naturalfoodretailers.net) has fewer than 200 members.  Since its founding in 2004, it has helped the developing market for organic food, but as its name implies, the association inevitably must focus on so-called natural foods.  It can only respond to demand!

 

Nevertheless, its founding member from the San Diego area, Jimbo's Naturally!, has profoundly influenced  the local community, giving back in charitable contributions $1 million between 1999 and 2013!

 

Wholesalers, Too, Are Few and Widely Scattered

 

 

I know more exist, but here are a few:

 

 

• Garden Spot Distributors (http://www.gardenspotdist.com, was founded in 1942 in western New York State.  This company, now located in New Holland, Pennsylvania, sells organic and natural foods to retailers but specializes in Shiloh Farms products.

 

• Earl's Organic Produce (http://www.earlsorganic.com, founded in 1988,  is based in San Francisco, California, but serves buyers throughout the U.S.  Earl's is certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).  It offers some 475 products.  The company is a major supporter of the Organic Farming Research Association and the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

 

• Bangalla Organic Wholesale (http:www.bangalladistribution.com), located in Sammish, Washington, offers "over 15,000 organic , natural, or ecofriendly products for wholesale or drop shipping across the U.S. or Canada."  The company has distribution centers on both the east and west coasts.

 

 

Just a Snapshot of Organic Food Distribution

 

 in the U.S., in Mid-2013

 

 

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