A growing number of people have started to search for healthy food options. This has led to growth in farmer’s markets and more organic food sales. Businesses that buy produce wholesale are also switching to organic products from sustainable suppliers. That’s thanks to the increased number of health-conscious consumers. In addition to the health benefits of organic produce and other food categories, there are other reasons why companies should choose eco-friendly products. In the following paragraphs, we’ll share some of the reasons for the growing popularity of organic fruits and vegetables. If you’re interested in reading about other trends in the sector, check out our post on fresh produce trends.
Key takeaway: Organic produce has seen significant growth in recent years. Many farms have switched to organic practices as the demand for such products has increased. There are also innovative business models such as organic produce subscription boxes. Restaurants and other businesses can also benefit from switching to organic vegetables and fruits.
What Is Organic Produce
The term refers to fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods that were grown without the usage of synthetic pesticides or GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Organic produce farming practices are focused on sustainability, maintaining biodiversity, and keeping the soil quality good. Here are some of the important things to know about organic produce.
- Certification and standards. Organic fruits and vegetables need to meet standards set by the National Organic Program at the US Department of Agriculture. The certification process includes various audits and compliance with regulations.
- No chemicals and GMOs. The main reason why people might choose organic produce is the fact that these products are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and are not genetically modified. Farmers might still use natural pesticides and fertilizers such as biological pest control or compost.
- Good for the environment. Thanks to practices such as crop rotation and limited water consumption, organic farming doesn’t have a heavy toll on the environment.
How Businesses Can Benefit from Organic Produce
There are multiple ways for restaurant businesses or other companies to benefit from organic food. Let’s take a look at some examples.
- Answering to demand. There’s been a growing demand for organic produce in recent years. That’s why businesses should consider using such products in their day-to-day operations.
- Brand awareness. The incorporation of sustainable practices shows a company’s social responsibility. This can help the business increase its brand awareness and improve its image.
- Competitive advantage. When choosing between businesses, customers might opt to choose the company that has more green policies and uses organic food products. This gives companies that use organic produce a competitive advantage, especially among health-focused consumers.
- Culinary benefits. Organic produce is considered by many to have better flavor compared to regular counterparts. Thus, many chefs in the restaurant industry might choose organic ingredients in order to make their dishes tastier.
- Local community benefits. Business owners that have incorporated sustainable practices into their business usually partner with local organic produce farms. If more businesses purchase organic food from local growers, this helps the community and can strengthen the local supply chain and economy.
- Marketing benefits. Businesses can include information about their sustainable practices in their marketing materials. By using organic ingredients, restaurants and other businesses can attract health-conscious customers. A company can also help organizations and take part in events related to organic products.
Cons of Organic Produce
Although there are multiple benefits for businesses to use organic vegetables and fruits, there are also disadvantages. Allow us to shed some light on them.
- Higher price. Organic produce is usually more expensive compared to regular vegetables and fruits. Even if businesses purchase bio produce at wholesale prices, they are still likely to pay more. This can lower a company’s profit margins or require the business to increase its prices.
- Limited shelf life. Since organic products lack coatings, are not genetically modified, and don’t use synthetic preservatives, they spoil faster compared to fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. That is also the reason why many broadline distributors might choose not to sell organic produce wholesale. Check out our posts on frozen fruit vs fresh fruit and freeze-dried fruits to read more about these common preservative methods.
- Organic produce is labor-intensive. This means that more manual labor and land are required to produce the same amount of fruits and vegetables. This makes organic produce farming harder to scale.
- Marginal nutritional benefits. Some research shows that organic produce has only modest benefits compared to conventionally grown vegetables and fruits.
- Potential for fraud. Since organic and sustainable food products have become trendy, some businesses mislabel their products in order to increase their prices and wholesale sales.
Frequently Asked Questions about Organic Produce
If you’re interested in ways to increase B2B sales of products or how to sell produce wholesale, there are multiple useful resources on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve shared the answers to common questions regarding organic produce and the organic agriculture sector.
Is Organic Produce Healthier?
Yes. There is evidence that organic fruits and vegetables are better for your health compared to regular ones. The main reason for that is the reduced use of pesticides in organic produce farming. Since synthetic herbicides and pesticides are restricted in organic farms, the negative effects on consumers and the environment are lower. Keep in mind that organic farms might use natural pesticides such as neem oil or diatomaceous earth.
Organic produce farming also has secondary effects. For example, it’s more sustainable compared to regular farming practices. That can reduce environmental damage and risks in the long run.
Does Organic Produce Use Pesticides?
Growers of organic produce still use pesticides but not the same ones as other agricultural producers. Regular farms primarily use synthetic pesticides that can be harmful to the environment and the soil. On the other hand, organic produce farms use natural pesticides. They are much better for the environment and have zero to no impact on the quality of the fruits and vegetables. Using absolutely no pesticides is also possible but it will result in poor harvest, low quantities, and an unsustainable business model.
What Is Other Popular Organic Food?
Besides organic fruit and vegetables, consumers search for organic products in categories such as dairy, meat, and grains. In recent years, there’s been a significant growth of meat and dairy farms that use sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Although not all of them can be branded as organic farms, the switch to green methods has shifted the industry. Organic oils and snacks are also among the trends in their respective sectors. Examples include organic olive oil and granola bars. The organic trend is not specific just to food products. From soap and cleaning products to organic drinks and cosmetics, there has been a shift in these high-demand products.
Buy or Sell Organic Produce Easily with BlueCart
If you wish to find suppliers for your business, BlueCart’s marketplace can be the place to search for them. Our platform allows buyers to easily compare between different distributors in various niche markets. Alternatively, if you sell wholesale produce or other products in bulk, BlueCart’s solutions can streamline your business. From wholesale ordering software to automated invoicing and easy eCommerce catalog creation, there are multiple reasons to choose BlueCart. Schedule your demo and see what makes BlueCart the all-in-one platform for wholesalers.