Organic goes Mainstream

Here are a few true food facts from the USDA Economic Research Service:

 


  • The 2006 price for a half-gallon container of milk ranged from 60% above non-organic milk for private label organic milk to 109% above non-organic for branded organic milk. 
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  • Consumers prefer organic food because of their health concerns, as well as for environment and animal welfare concerns. 
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  • Consumers are now willing to pay premium prices for organic foods. 
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  • Organic food sales have quintupled over the same period, from $3.6 billion to $21.1 billion last year.
  • Fruit and vegetables are the biggest organic food sellers at 37%. 
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  • Organic dairy products sell at 16%. 
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  • Organic beverages (grew by 40% in 2008) and packaged foods are at 13%. 
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  • Organic breads and grains achieved 35% growth over the year.
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