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Natural Grocers & Markets

Organic products are increasingly available in many different venues. From mom-and-pop farm stands to massive discount chains, organics are becoming a permanent part of the grocery landscape in America. Each approach has both advantages and disadvantages.

Many small organic farms are family or local operations that take great pride in producing a quality product; beautiful, lush grounds and a country market atmosphere attract customers to browse and, hopefully, buy. While perhaps less-convenient than a large chain store, a small stand on the farm brings the shopper right to the land and the people growing their produce, with little or no processing and packaging to potentially degrade food quality. By contrast, larger markets are convenient, but farther removed from food sources; and so these grocers generally offer products which have been at least minimally processed for long distance shipping. Co-ops and farmer's markets offer a pleasant middle ground, bringing produce and other goods direct to the consumer from local farms. Supermarkets, upscale groceries, and co-ops appeal to different demographics, but prices do not necessarily correlate with the "gourmet" feel. With a larger organic inventory, upscale chains such as Whole Foods Markets can often negotiate better prices from their suppliers than many conventional supermarkets.

Organic foods often originate from companies already devoted to making quality products. Hopefully, this same dedication will continue with the advent of organics wholesaled through huge discount chains like Walmart and Costco. Large organic producers adhere to similar packing, processing, and shipping requirements as large conventional producers. As a result, crops are often chosen for ruggedness—shipping and processing qualities—rather than taste or finest quality. In contrast, small, local producers tend to grow more for superior taste. On a positive note, the burgeoning growth in the industry helps to make organics more available and affordable to all.


With the increasing popularity of organic foods, catering companies have sprung up to serve a growing clientele. Chefs often specialize in local or vegan fare, using the freshest vegetables to create gourmet dishes for every occasion. These and other services help to make organics accessible to all, for any occasion.

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