Report shows record growth in organic industry

The Organic Trade Association released its annual report on the economic impact of the organic foods industry in late April of 2012. The report found that more than 500,000 jobs were were created in America from 2010 to 2011 in the organic foods sector. In fact, the organic market in the United States exceeded the $31 billion revenue mark for the first time in 2011.

“The report sends a strong message that doing what’s good for the environment and what’s good for industry economics are not mutually exclusive,” said California Congressman Sam Farr, an advocate of the OTA. “The organic food processing industry is creating jobs, stimulating our economy and delivering the products that consumers increasingly demand. This report is only the latest testament on why supporting organic is a no-brainer.”

The report also claimed that for every $1 billion spent in organic product retail sales, nearly 28,000 jobs were created throughout the industry. In addition, the organic sector created 21 percent more jobs than what would have been generated in that year if the food industry relied solely on “conventional farms” for its ingredients or products. This unprecedented industry growth backs the popular belief that more consumers are demanding organic and all-natural food labels from stores than before.

The report also comes at a time when congress is beginning to reshape the next farm bill, a major piece of food and agricultural policy legislation. The numbers from this report may have a critical effect on the way policy makers consider the organic industry.

If retailers, grocers or farmers who produce and process their products organically wish to take part in this growing trend, they may benefit from investing in a Primera LX Series custom label printer to promote their organic brand.