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September 8th 2003 >> Source: CNN
Money New York (CNN/Money) - Thirty years ago, many Americans might have thought of "organic food" as something they served for supper at the commune. Today, thanks to the hoopla about the health benefits of organic food, even the most staid people are adding it to their daily menus. Between 1980 and 2000, Americans increased their organic foods purchases a hundredfold. This year, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), sales will reach $13 billion. Sporting a gaudy average annual growth rate of more than 20 percent per year for the past 10 years, organic food production is the fastest growing sector of U.S. agriculture. If anything is holding the sales of organic food sales back, however, it's the expense. According to a survey by eBrain Market Research, 67 percent of Americans said price was a barrier to buying organic foods. Organic foods cost more because they're grown without artificial fertilizers, and they employ natural pest and weed controls, promoting biodiversity and improving soils. All that is much more labor intensive -- and expensive -- than conventional farming. Just how much more buying organic would add to your food bill? For an answer, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) recruited the help of environmental activist and organic food advocate, Sandra Steingraber... — Les Christie + Read Full Article | << Back to 2003
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