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September 14, 2006 at 4:21 pm
I recently got back from a Natural Products Seminar and met some great people who make organic products of all kinds. From granola (of course!) to pickles, chocolates and foot rubs, it was great to share our stories with one another. I learned so much from both the participants and the presenters.
Here’s an interesting tidbit that a former major executive from a well-known natural food chain said about organics in Walmart. (He’ll remain nameless because I want to stay friends!) He told us that a Vice President of Walmart made the statement, “We see organics as a marketing program.”
It is thought in the industry that Walmart’s attempts at offering organics at affordable prices will be “a flash in the pan.” A temporary campaign to make themselves look good and wholesome. Kind of like McDonald’s offering gourmet salads- it makes the company look like they care about health to the public, but has the real effect of selling more hamburgers! This seminar leader advised organic products manufacturers to be wary of getting involved with Wal-mart because their true commitment to long-term organics was in doubt.
So, that’s the word buzzing in the executive towers of our favorite organic companies. Our disclaimer is that we don’t know the facts, only the rumors. Like everyone else, we’re eager to know: Wal-mart- are you serious about going green?
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As a leading industrial supplier of organic flavor ingredients, I would point out that the rapid growth in organics is due to rapidly increasing product acceptance by market demographics that don’t participate in the total, traditional “life style” of organics.
There is a real and anchored support of organic offerings by traditional sourcing consumers who want organic offerings soley for the sustainability and environmental impact rather than loosely implied health benefit. There are already many food industry regulations that keep the extremely important non-organic food channels safe. Without them, we would starve as would al large portion of the rest of the world. Let’s be very happy that outlets for organic products are offered by Wal-Mart to create the market for bigger producers to make the conversion. Please share (edit if necessary) my viewpoint in this observation. Let’s all hope that organic farming and processing gets big enough that we “have to have” Wal-Mart in its distribution. They are the largest grocery company in the US after all.
Comment by Jim Shafer — September 14, 2006 @ 6:40 pm
While I am not a fan of Wal-Mart, I am glad they are offering consumers organic foods. With the ever increasing demand for them, it seems unlikely that it will be a flash in the pan. Of course it is a marketing program. All of their, or ANY retailer’s merchandise is part of a marketing program! All stores (including the ones you shop in) are in the business of selling things to people who want to buy them, in order to turn a profit. We may not like what Wal-Mart stands for, but if they sell organic food the end result is that consumers get healthier food and organic, sustainable farming is supported. Isn’t that the goal?
Comment by Amy — October 6, 2006 @ 2:04 am