“These new findings show how important organic has become to millions and millions of American families everywhere.
—Dr. Jessica Shade, Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association
More than 80 percent of American households are buying organic, according to new findings from the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The data, collected by Nielsen, is the first comprehensive look at organic purchases on a state-by-state level.
Looking at 100,000 households across the country, Nielsen found more households than ever bought organic food on a regular basis throughout 2015 and 2016, with the national average climbing 3.4 percent to 82.3 percent of households buying. North Dakota led the organic-purchasing pace, with households jumping 14.2 percent between 2015 and 2016.
“These new findings show how important organic has become to millions and millions of American families everywhere – to more than 80 percent of our nation’s 117 million households, more than 80 percent of Georgia’s 3.5 million households, more than 85 percent of North Dakota’s almost 300,000 households,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of OTA, in a statement. “The organic community is looking forward to working with the new leadership at USDA. We are eager to show how important adequate funding is to support a strong organic program and to help organic to continue to become a part of healthy diets of households throughout our nation.”
“Organic provides a healthy choice for consumers everywhere, and a profitable choice for farmers,” Batcha continued. “The industry relies on a few critical public institutions to support this burgeoning industry, including the National Organic Program for global oversight and uniform standards and research investment targeted to organic production. Organic is fueled by consumers, and it thrives when USDA recognizes the importance of organic to rural economies and to rural households.”
Organic food sales in the United States now total around $40 billion annually, and account for 5 percent of total food sales in the U.S.
Are you interested in keeping more organic products in your home, but you’re deterred by the cost? These expert tips can help you fit organic into your budget.
