Marketing U.S. Organic Foods: Recent Trends From Farms to Consumers

Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers. The marketing boom has pushed retail sales of organic foods up to $21.1 billion in 2008 from$3.6 billion in 1997. U.S. organic-industry growth is evident in an expanding number of retailers selling a wider variety of foods, the development of private- label product lines by many supermarkets, and the widespread introduction of new products. A broader range of consumers has been buying more varieties of organic food. Organic handlers, who purchase products from farmers and often supply them to retailers, sell more organic products to conventional retailers and club stores than ever before. Only one segment has not kept pace—organic farms have struggled at times to produce sufficient supply to keep up with the rapid growth in demand, leading to periodic shortages of organic products.Organic, organic food, marketing organic products, organic supply chain, producing organic products, handling organic products, organic price premiums, ERS, USDA, Agricultural and Food Policy, Marketing,

A Geographic Approach to Place and Natural Resource Use in Local Food Systems

This article illuminates the geographic concept of ‘place’ in local foods. Because the social aspects of local food have been more fully addressed in previous literature, this review focuses instead on the ecological aspects of farming and food. First, the literature on natural resource use in agriculture provides contextual understanding of water use, biodiversity, soils and agro-ecological methods. The complex relationship between climate change and agriculture is described and models assessing the impacts of climate change on agriculture are detailed. The geography of local food is specifically addressed by describing methods for assessing natural resource use in local food, including food miles, consumer transportation, scale and community, agricultural methods and diet. Finally, future research paths are suggested to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of local food. Such research would encompass the geography of local food through development of broader, more inclusive strategy, including the concept of the ‘ecological appetite’ of crops and foods, the union of both social and ecological aspects of resource use, the linkages between rural and urban producers and consumers and the inclusion of farmers’ ecological knowledge. Overall, the geography of local food seeks to assess the where of food production and consumption, while incorporating key issues of how (agro-ecological methods benefiting the community) and what (locally appropriate crops)

The Role of Contracts in the Organic Supply Chain: 2004 and 2007

Organic food products are excellent candidates for contract production and marketing because they are produced using a distinct process and are in high demand. This report summarizes survey data on contracting in the organic sector, addressing the extent of contracting, the rationale for using contracts, and contract design for select commodities. The central survey data were collected from certified organic handlers (intermediaries)in the United States who marketed and procured organic products in 2004 and 2007. Contracting is widespread in the organic sector, and, in 2007, firms used contracts most frequently to secure organic products essential to their business and to source products in short supply. Large firms were more likely to use contracts for procurement, and these firms contracted for a larger share of their procurement needs. Nearly all contracts required suppliers to provide evidence of organic certification. Firms using contracts rarely assisted suppliers with obtaining organic certification or the transition to organic. Most contracts include provisions regarding quality, and quality verification was an essential component of these contracts. Prices were determined in a variety of ways and, in some cases, depended on delivered quality.Organic supply chain, contracts, organic marketing, organic procurement, intermediaries, certified organic handlers, contract design, certified organic, Agribusiness, Marketing,

Local Marketing of Organic Food by Certified Organic Processors, Manufacturers, and Distributors

Local organic food is garnering new interest. Using new data from a national survey of certified organic intermediaries, we examine local markets for organic food and assess which firms are likely to market locally. Approximately 25% of survey respondents primarily market their products locally, and 15% of the value of organic food (at the intermediate level) is sold locally. Larger firms are less likely to market locally, firms that handle a greater share of organic products are more likely to market locally, and the likelihood of marketing locally is lower the longer a firm has been certified organic.local food, local organic food, organic handlers, organic intermediaries, organic marketing, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy, Marketing,

The Use of Local Foods in Maryland Schools: Product Needs by Schools in Maryland Page

Funding for this project was provided by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Award Number 2007‐49200‐03888

Organic Agriculture in U.S. Urban Areas: Building Bridges Between Organic Farms and Education

The proposed paper for the 18th IFOAM Organic World Congress will address the results of a 2013 national survey of urban farms in the United States. Production and marketing practices, focusing on organic urban farms, will be highlighted

Urban Agriculture in the United States: Characteristics, Challenges, and Technical Assistance Needs

Urban agriculture offers potential benefits to urban areas and has captured the attention of residents and policymakers. Some challenges of urban agriculture are unique to the urban setting, and many farmers do not receive adequate technical assistance. Based on a national survey of urban farmers and interviews, this article explores the challenges and technical assistance needs of these farms. The urban agriculture sector is one of young, recently established farms and farmers. Profitability, financing, and production costs were rated the highest challenges. Farmers also reported moderate to high technical assistance needs in many other areas that Extension staff can address

Local Food in Maryland Schools: A Real Possibility or a Wishful Dream?

In the recent past, “farm to school” and “farm to cafeteria” programs have proliferated. In 2008, Maryland passed the Jane Lawton Act, an unfunded program encouraging schools to serve Maryland produced food in schools. Similar federal policy exists. Like many other states, Maryland is seeking new markets, such as educational institutions, to enhance the viability of small and medium farms. However, school lunches are subject to numerous constraints, including regulatory and budget constraints. Distribution channels for local food sales are not well developed. Thus the success of local food usage in Maryland schools program is not certain. Using primary quantitative and qualitative data collected by the research team, this paper explores the feasibility of local food in Maryland schools. We identify scale and socioeconomic barriers to the use of local food in schools, suggesting that policy support would enhance the likelihood of long term success of serving local food in schools

Farm to School: Increasing Sales by Local Farmers for Healthier School Lunches and Higher Farm Income

Funding for this project was provided by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Award Number 2007‐49200‐03888