Just this week, Whole Foods Market, one of the top organic retailers in the world, announced the results of their annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey and the news couldn't be better for the industry. The survey, conducted online in June by Harris Interactive, found that consumers are buying more and more organic foods.
Top Organic Statistics from the Survey
- Three out of four adults purchase natural and/or organic foods.
- Of the consumers who buy organic food, the amount of organic products they're purchasing on a given shopping trip has increased. According to the survey, in 2010, 27% of adults say that natural and/or organic foods make up more than a quarter of their total food purchases.
- 84% of adults say they are more concerned than ever with the foods they eat and read nutrition labels closely and frequently.
- Many adults (83%) have a better understanding of how organic food is produced than adults did 30 years ago.
- Most adults report that they are more concerned with added growth hormones and antibiotics in meat and dairy products than in 1980.
- Over half of adults noted that if prices are comparable they'll choose organic food over conventional foods.
- The top five organic items purchased most by consumers include fresh fruit, milk, fresh veggies, whole grain bread and canned or frozen vegetables.
Most strikingly, the survey shows that organic consumers are highly dedicated. Even in a down economy, 72% of organic consumers say they won't compromise on the quality of the food they buy. The fact that organic consumers are here to stay has been mirrored in other recent consumers surveys as well. Most organic surveys find that once an organic consumer converts, they rarely go back to buying conventional, even when money is tight.
Great news overall for the entire organic industry and Whole Foods Market, who, by the way, will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in September, so an extra congrats to them!
Image courtesy of Whole Foods MarketŪ
Comments
I believe the thing about not going back once you start eating organics. I especially won’t go back to conventional peanut butter after all the recalls.
I know it! It seems impossible to go back to conventional once you start buying organics. For me, it’d kill to go back to non-organic dairy. I think organic peanut butter tastes so much better than conventional – conventional tastes like a sugar nightmare to me. Thanks for stopping by Peggy! I’ve been looking for you on Skype, but must keep missing you – we have to chat soon
Yeah, I think far too many foods taste like sugar these days. You don’t notice it until you switch to another kind. For example, I was eating Newman’s Own chocolate and Endangered Species, both around 50% cacao. I tried some Dove dark chocolate (promises) for the first time in a long time and it tasted so weird — like sugar! I used to really love Dove dark chocolate.
I’ve got to look into some good Halloween treats soon, as I’ll be in the new house in time for trick or treaters
PS- I’m on Skype now. Funny. I have to remember to turn it on more.