Casual Vs. Committed Organic Food Shoppers

New Survey Projects 14% growth

in Total U.S. Organic Food Market

 

 

Stephen Daniells, reporting for the online Food Navigator U.S.A. (January 3, 2014), using various sources, profiles a vibrant organic food market in the U.S.

 

Statistical Organic Food Profile

 

• Solid growth projected through 2018, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%
• Western U.S. is driving much of organic food market revenues
• The push for GMO labeling will propel  the organic market
• 81% of U.S. families purchase organic food, at least occasionally
• Between 2002 and 2011, domestic organic food production has increased 240% compared to 3% in non-organic production
• The U.S. organic food and beverage market in 2011 was at $29.2 billion with a projected growth rate at 9.4%, compared to the conventional food and beverage market growth projected in the low single digits
•  

Organic "Power Shoppers"

 

• "True believers" in organic food and "environmentalists"--the two leading purchasing segments--make up 46% of all natural/organic product sales
• These two "power shopper" groups together comprise 18% of consumers

 

Cheers!

 

All Indicators are Up!



 

 

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President Obama Reminded of 2007 Campaign Pledge to Label GMO Foods

Four U.S. Lawmakers Support Over 200 Food Companies and Others With Letter Delivered to Obama

 

 

On January 16, 2014, with the support of four U.S. lawmakers, more than 200 food companies, organic farming groups, health and environmental organizations and other groups, in a letter addressed to U.S. President Obama, urged labeling of food products containing genetically engineered ingredients. 

 

A Campaign Promise Reminder

 

The letter reminded Obama that as he campaigned in Iowa in 2007, he had promised to work toward labeling GMO foods.

 

 

Major Organizational Advocates

 

 

Organizations signing the letter included:

 

• Ben & Jerry's--the ice cream maker
• Nature's Path--the cereal maker
• Stonyfield Farms--maker of yogurt
• Consumer Federation of America
• Other environmental and health organizations

 

Lawmaker Supporters

 

Four Democratic U.S. lawmakers held a press conference to endorse the call to Obama for mandatory labeling:

 

• U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio, Oregon
• U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut
• U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster, New Hampshire
• U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, Maine

 

Hear the Call, President Obama!

 

Choose Either

 

GMO Money

 

or

 

Our Nation's Health!

 

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The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association

A Valiant  David Battles the Monsanto Goliath



Seed for Thought, the December 13 newsletter of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, (OSGATA), sums up the tragic battle humanity faces--between the mighty, concentrated powers that care primarily for their own wealth and well being and the far more dispersed warriors who perceive the dangers of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and care for humanity as a whole.

 

The Seed for Thought newsletter says:

 

There is a mounting public support for GMO labeling across-the country [the U.S.A.].  Growing numbers of restaurants, grocery retailers, and organic companies are pledging to source non-GE [genetically engineered] ingredients for their products.

 

In the absence of Right-to-Know labeling, many consumers wishing to avoid GE foods have turned to the organic label.  Under federal standards, genetic engineering is considered an excluded method in organic production systems.

 

The Hidden Danger

 

 

Although organic farmers may consciously avoid the use of materials contaminated by GMOs--animal feed for example--because products apparently organic are not tested for genetically engineered content, neither farmers nor consumers can know if the products are inherently safe.

 

 

The Entire Organic Food Movement is at Risk

 

According to the newsletter:

 

 

OSGATA recognizes the impact of trans gene movement and contamination on the organic industry.  Compromised organic seed integrity has broad-reaching impacts on the viability of organic farms and the credibility of organic products.  Organic farmers also risk the threat of patent litigation in the face of contamination.

  

A Tool to Overcome the Risk

 

 

To battle the giant Monsanto--as a help for farmers, seed handlers, and seed companies--OSGATA has just issued a tool entitled The Organic Farmer's Handbook for GE Contamination Avoidance and Testing Protocols.  The handbook tells how to avoid transgenic seed contamination for crops, with federally approved GE counterparts currently in commercial production.  Testing protocols have been assessed for early detection of contaminated seed lots, to prevent further contamination through trade channels.

 

 

 

Cheers for Humanity!

 

 

May Humanity 

 

 

Win This One!

 

 

 

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