While there’s still a long way to go before we see organic food products sold in regular grocery stores, there are a few retailers that are starting to go mainstream in this area. ALDI, for instance, recently launched an organic line of products called SimplyNature. This line now includes milk, cereal, energy bars, organic bananas, apples, baby carrots, and honey. And prices are starting to come down, too.
Why people buy organic food
There are many reasons people buy organic food. Some buy it because they believe it tastes better and because the methods of organic farming are more environmentally friendly. The most common reason is because it is believed that organic food must be better for their bodies. After all, if the food contains pesticides, it can’t be good for us. But how do we determine if an organic food is better? Here are some tips to make your decision easier.
Organic food is often more expensive than conventional food. Organic products have higher standards for animal welfare, and the certification logo costs more than other types of food. Organic food also costs more to produce because organic farmers must devote more time and money to care for their crops and animals. So why do they cost more than regular products? There are a number of factors that go into organic food’s price tag, starting with higher demand. Organic farmers are also more costly.
Sources of organic ingredients
A key difference between organic and non-organic foods is their source. The USDA defines organic foods as those made with at least 95% organic ingredients. Organic products usually bear the organic seal, but are not necessarily required to do so. Manufacturers of products containing 100% organic ingredients may choose to label them as such. The USDA organic seal is an added assurance of high quality, but it is not required. In addition, some products may carry the “100%” seal, which means they contain more than 95 percent organic ingredients.
Consumers generally prefer organic foods, but there is little evidence that this practice is more healthy or safer. Even organic foods can contain high levels of sugar, salt, fat, and calories. Organic farming is expensive, since it involves avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides. Organic livestock feed can cost up to twice as much as conventionally-fed animals. Furthermore, organic farms are smaller, which means the overhead costs are distributed over smaller volumes of produce.
Places to buy organic food
Where to buy organic food is becoming mainstream, thanks to supermarket chains such as Safeway Inc. In addition to natural and organic food stores, more mainstream grocery stores are incorporating organic products into their stores. They now have their own private label brands, and you can find these products on store shelves next to conventional items. In fact, the growing organic market is forcing traditional retailers to innovate and re-brand their products to compete with organic products.
There are some significant changes taking place, too. Organic products are now widely available in traditional supermarkets, including Walgreens and CVS. They are also increasingly available in mom and pop grocery stores, airport kiosks, and farm stands across rural America. But the most significant change is happening in grocery retail, where organic products are priced competitively with mainstream brands. In fact, the number of mainstream grocery stores carrying organic products has nearly doubled in the last two years, a sign of increased popularity.