More organics in store for Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market Inc. will put a renewed focus on its core customers, with expanded offerings of organic food and a campaign next year focused on healthy eating.

"We believe continuing to raise the bar in areas that matter to our customers will reinforce our leadership position in natural and organic foods, resulting in greater customer loyalty for many years to come," CEO John Mackey said Tuesday.

Austin American Statesman

Organic Foods Get on Private-Label Wagon

Low cost organics in PL clothing, now gaining steam:

For years, the organic-foods segment logged annual sales gains of 20%-plus, but that growth has slowed. Sales of natural and organic grocery products rose 4.6%, to $18.3 billion, for the 52 weeks ended June 13 from a year earlier, according to SPINS Inc., a market researcher.

Slowing demand has pushed even reluctant name-branded organic food companies to offer private-label products. Frontier Natural Products Co-Op, which produces organic spices, teas and oils, began selling private-label products last year as retailer requests piled up.

Wall Street Journal

Study: Organic Products Selling Strong Despite Economy

U.S. sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing 17.1% over 2007 sales, according to the OTA, which released final results from its 2009 Organic Industry Survey on Monday. However, the industry's growth rate last year was its slowest since 2004, when the year-to-year increase was 14.6%. Organic food sales grew 20.9% in 2006 and 18.5% in 2007, according to OTA.

"Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products," said Christine Bushway, executive director of the Greenfield, Mass.-based OTA, in a statement. "This marks another milestone for the organic food market."

Media Post

Ethnic Foods Expand, Organics More Selective

A quick overview of trends from Packaged Facts' "Food Flavors and Ingredients Outlook 2009" report:

The range of available ethnic food varieties is actually expanding at an accelerated pace, reflecting both the growth of ethnic populations and evolving mainstream tastes. World cuisines that are expected to be in increasing demand this year include "rustic French," reflecting consumers' desire for "down-to-earth and comforting qualities," and a wide range of Asian (with Japanese becoming better established and Korean going mainstream). Mediterranean (particularly Spanish) food offerings will become ubiquitous, and the cuisines of Peru, Laos, Algeria, Ethiopia and Somalia will become available in more markets, PF prognosticates.

Full article at MediaPost