Organic Food | Growing in Popularity, Exploding in Price
Contributing Monkie G Living Staff Monkies
Topics of Interest Organic Food
The rising price of food is making headlines around the globe. While price hikes in basic commodities such as wheat, maize and corn are the root of much suffering in the developing world, here in the U.S. the impact is being felt particularly hard by consumers of organic produce. The cost of organic food, those grown without “pesticides, chemical fertilizers or antibiotics” has reached record levels — “a loaf of organic bread can cost $4.50, a pound of pasta has hit $3, and organic milk is closing in on $7 a gallon”.
The reasons behind the organic price increases are much the same as for conventional produce: higher fuel costs; ever increasing demand; and a strict grain supply that’s needed for animal feed, bread and pasta. Farmers raising organic livestock, organic bakers and organic pasta makers say they’re “struggling to maintain profit margins, even though shoppers are paying more”. Manufacturers and retailers worry that the spiraling price of organics will price some consumers right out of the market.
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