Contrary to popular belief, most people will choose healthy, juicy fruits over chocolate and want to eat better. Sometimes, it can be impossible in certain communities where agriculture is not maintained and preserved; or even worse, nonexistent. There is a lot of work involved in food production, including growing and harvesting the fruits and vegetables, and keeping them safe from hungry predators. Luckily, there are people working to help agriculture continue to grow and increase the average person’s access to healthy foods. 

The Maintenance and Preservation of Agricultural Land 

The first important thing to do is to make sure our current methods of producing food are well taken care of and regulated. Preserving food production in already dedicated areas will help save resources that can be used to create new land ready for agriculture. Some regions have an abundance of agricultural land, while certain developed areas make the space limited and are not cost effective. The human race continues to steadily grow, causing more development to take place; the first step is to preserve the agricultural land we have from development to keep food production growing just as steady to keep supporting the population.  

Increasing Food Production 

Although a large portion of available land for agricultural needs have already been developed as farms or cities, there is still plenty of land up for grabs to be produced into even more agricultural industries. There are abandoned lots, rooftops, and other miscellaneous buildings throughout both rural and suburban areas that can be used for further agricultural development that currently are not being used for anything but taking up space and rotting. Utilizing these abandoned areas can provide plenty of opportunities for local food production and promote healthy eating even in the big cities where most people stop into quick, fast food joints. 

Protect the Pollinators 

Although we have plenty of regulated food production by working farmers, pollinators still play a huge role in food production. When a pollinator comes in contact with your fruits and vegetables, upon leaving they are a necessity to help plants outside of your farm reproduce and aid in the growth of other fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, the populations of pollinators, especially bees, are constantly in decline, making plant growth outside of the regulated farms to decrease in quantity and quality. In recent years, many people have taken it upon themselves to become beekeepers to help breed more pollinators in their declining numbers, as well as farmers utilizing better land practices in their farming methods. This includes minimizing chemicals used that are harmful to the pollinators, as well as farming on several different types of properties to help encourage native plants outside of their own farms; this helps support keeping the existing pollinators healthy. 

There are plenty of different methods farmers have thought of and even are beginning to utilize in their daily practice to help the general population continue to be stocked with healthy, amazing food. The development of these three methods so far have and will produce the greatest difference in providing healthy food to the general public. 

Organic products have been skyrocketing in popularity over the past several years, and is a trend that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Sales for organic products currently account for $52.5 billion, a figure which continues to rise. Once only available in local specialty shops or retailers like Whole Foods, many regular grocery stores have now have devoted a significant amount of shelf space to these products. But marketing organic products does require a different approach. 

Identify Your Customer 

 The consumer who buys organic products is not the same as the consumer who is shopping for regular items in your store. Although many people will occasionally opt for organic products when given a choice, the customer who values organic foods will typically be very health-conscious. According to Consumer Reports, organic food can cost an average of 45-50% more than a similar non-organic product. Therefore, the organic shopper will almost always usually have a higher grocery budget, and won’t hesitate to spend it when they feel it is necessary. They also value quality, however. They have high expectations about how a product will taste and how it will affect their health, and when they find something they like, they are quite loyal. For many parents, buying organic is important to the wellbeing of their children. Studies have shown that eight out of ten families in the United States have purchased organic foods at least once in the past two years. That’s a lot of potential customers! 

Presentation is Key 

Buying organic products can feel like a luxury, and they should be positioned as such in your store. Many grocers tend to group popular organic items together in a “Healthy Shoppers” aisle, which not only helps your customers quickly hone in on what they’re looking for, but it makes them feel recognized and special. Display unique signage when marketing organic products that calls to mind nature and healthy activities, both of which are important to this type of consumer. Make samples available when possible, as many like to try products out before they pay a premium price for them. For kid-related items, position them at eye-level for children and market them together with similar items for maximum sales.  

Market Wisely 

In order to draw more customers into your store to buy these products, devote space in your sales flyer to new and exciting organic products, or consider creating a supplemental brochure that focuses solely on those items! This is also a great way to educate your shoppers on the benefits of organic products and entice them to come to your store for a purchase. Social media is also a valuable resource to market to the healthy consumer. 
 
There are so many ways things to consider when marketing organic products to your customers, but given the increasing sales potential of these products, implementing these strategies in your store is sure to pay dividends.