About Consumer Attitudes Towards Organics

In recent years there has been a rising trend in the consumption of organic foods and for several reasons. Some consumers buy them because they seek to purchase environmentally-friendly foods while others want to become more health-conscious about what they eat. However, not all consumers choose organic foods.

Proponents of Organic Foods

• Those who purchase organic foods do so because they are socially conscious or because they want to eat healthier foods. In addition, some consumers support organic foods because it's a way to support independent local farmers who often provide fresh fruits, grains, meats and dairy products to residents.

Opponents of Organic Foods

• Some consumers do not buy organic foods not because they aren't concerned about the environment or because they don't want to change their poor eating habits. Rather, they're more concerned about the expensive costs of organic foods, although they sometimes buy cheaper alternative organic foods. Others do not see a real difference between organic and regular foods.

Expert Insight

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in September 2009, the organic food sector rose from 3.6 billion consumers in 1997 to 21 billion consumers in 2008. Because of this trend, some organic farmers have struggled to keep up with the demand.

Misconceptions

• Some consumers think because the product has "natural" on it, it would still qualify as organic food. However, real organic food is food that is grown and produced without any additional chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides or food additives. They should also look for the "organic" label on products.

Significance

• The growing health concerns of cancer, obesity, heart disease and diabetes have led many consumers to rethink their dietary habits. Whether you choose organic or commercially-produced foods, the important thing is that you maintain a well-balanced diet.