Organic Food Shopping

Demand for healthier food products that are more environmentally friendly has spiralled over the past five years. Organic, Fair Trade and Own Brand goods no longer trade on the fringe of the grocery products market, but boast escalating sales. Sales that are estimated to reach £230million by the end of 2006. Massive growth - at the expense of conventional foodstuffs.

Suppliers have endorsed this trend by extending their range to give consumers what they want. Waitrose and Walmart in the UK and USA respectively, pioneered the Supermarket provision of health foods, many more have followed suit, with large volume sales bringing the price of organic foods down.

Organic Food

Organic food produce contains up to 50% more vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It is free from anti biotics, growth promoting and anti-parasite drugs, which are passed directly onto the consumer and can be a contributing factor to heart disease and hypertension. The use of toxic chemicals associated with intensive farming are prohibited. Chemicals that have led to wholescale erosion of soil, destruction of ancient hedgerows and near extinction of several species of wildlife.

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade standard guarantees that workers in developing countries are given a fair price for their produce and benefit from acceptable living conditions. The emphasis is very much on empowerment therefore workers involvement in decision making is actively encouraged. The use of toxic chemicals is prohibited although the standard does not require all produce to be organically grown as this would exclude many smaller producers who are unable to meet the criteria.

Fairtrade differs from Organic food: organic farming is about a 'farming system' concentrating on environmental issues and nutrious production. Alternatively Fairtrade concentrates on the social aspect of production and the welfare of individual workers as well as the impact on the environment.

Supermarkets have extended their range of health foods to answer customer demand. A wide selection of products in easily identifiable packaging adorn supermarket shelves enabling the shopper to see at a glance whether the product is free from additives free, low fat, low sugar or a combination. A few examples are given below but of course the list is endless:

Sainsbury - Taste The Difference

Marks & Spencer - Nutritionally Balanced

Tesco - Finest

Supermarkets specialising in organic food products are also on the increase. To be found in most regions within the UK.

Contact THE ORGANIC SUPERMARKET.CO.UK for your nearest supplier.