Special category report: The Rise of Organic Grains and Flours - 5

Organic food purchases
driven by healthy halo
Consumers

Organic
food is
healthier

Organic food is
better for the
environment

Total	55%	 23%
18-24	57%	

26%

35-44	54%	

21%

45-54	58%	

19%

55+	53%	 22%
SOURCE: Lightspeed/Mintel

Organic grain output
grows amid challenges
As demand for organic food products
blossoms, the supply of organic ingredients
needed to make those products often has
been lacking. To make up for the shortfall,
the US organic farming and food processing
industries have turned to imports and worked
creatively with domestic growers to expand
organic acreage in the past decade.
Entry into the organic production arena is
challenging, but the results are rewarding, both
from prices received and from environmental
and health/wellness standpoints. The US
Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National
Organic Program (NOP) sets the guidelines for
entry into and production of organic food.
The process for a grain farmer, for example,
takes at least three years to become a fully
certified producer of organic crops. In a very
simplified example, becoming organically
certified involves (according to the USDA):
1) Develop an organic system plan that
details how an operation will comply with the
regulations based on its own situation, including
farming and handling practices, citing approved
products used during those processes,

monitoring, recordkeeping and barriers to
prevent comingling with prohibited substances.
2) Implement the organic plan and have it
reviewed by a certifying agent accredited by
the USDA.
3) Receive a comprehensive onsite inspection
of all processes.
4) Have the inspection report reviewed by a
certifying agent.
5) Receive a decision from the certifier that
lists what products can be sold as organic. An
inspection must be done at least once a year to
maintain the organic certification.
But that's just the beginning because every
bit of the growing or feeding, hauling, and
processing related to getting food from farm to
table must meet specific standards.
The USDA's NOP enforces the use of the
organic seal, which is the consumers' assurance
they are buying organic food.
Organic food production has been heavily
weighted to fruits and vegetables, with dairy
also growing rapidly, while organic grain
production has seen much slower growth.
A report done jointly by the Organic Trade
Special category report: The Rise of Organic Grains and Flours

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