Why Does Organic Matter?

SUPPLYING ORGANIC PRODUCE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR STORE

Why supply organic?

No category provides an easier and more proven opportunity to grow existing customer sales and attract new customers than organics. With an average growth of over 15 percent per year over the past 10 years, providing quality organics in the produce department will prove to be a good investment. By providing high demand organic produce, the produce department will become a "destination" shopping experience.

What is organic?

Simply put, organic refers to the way food products are grown and processed. Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, genetic engineering (GMO), growth hormones or irradiation.

What impact does organic farming make?

Organic farming helps to maintain the health of the soil by using natural cultivation practices and helps to combat soil erosion.

What do your customers say about organics?*

• 84 percent of all shoppers agree or strongly agree with this statement: "I am concerned about pesticide residues on my fresh fruits and vegetables."
• Only 23 percent of shoppers who regularly buy conventional produce agree or strongly agree with this statement: "Organic fresh fruits and vegetables don't look as good as regular."
• Nearly 70 percent of organic shoppers agree or strongly agree with this statement: "I prefer to buy organic produce loose (bulk) to reduce packaging waste in the environment."

*Source: PMA/Cornell University, "Inside the Minds of Retailers/Consumers"