Organic Foods Continue to Grow in Popularity

According to the 2004 Whole Foods Market Organic Foods Trend Tracker survey, more than one-quarter of Americans (27 percent) are eating more organic products than just one year ago. Just two years after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented the National Organic Standards and mandated clearer labeling of organic products, the survey also reveals that more than half of Americans (54 percent) have tried organic foods and beverages and nearly one in 10 use organic products regularly or several times per week. Americans are buying organic products for a variety of reasons, with more than half of respondents saying they believe organic foods are better for the environment (58 percent) and better for their health (54 percent). Additionally, 57 percent believe buying and using organic products are better for supporting small and local farmers. Almost one in three Americans (32 percent) believes organic products taste better, and 42 percent believe organic foods are better quality. "The survey results echo national sales trends, with recent reports indicating organic food sales hit $10 billion and 20 percent sales growth last year," said Margaret Wittenberg, Whole Foods Market vice president of governmental and public affairs. "When I started in the natural foods […]

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