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Organic food sales in the U.S for 2022 broke through $60 billion

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In 2022, the United States witnessed a significant milestone in the organic food industry as sales surpassed $60 billion for the first time. This achievement is yet another testament to the unwavering strength of the organic sector. According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2023 Organic Industry Survey, the total organic sales, which include non-food products, reached a new high of $67.6 billion*. The survey was released on Wednesday.

Despite various obstacles, the organic market still managed to grow. Inflationary pressures had a tightening effect on consumers’ wallets, and supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and global political events created additional challenges. The grocery aisles were crowded with a proliferation of competing food labels, and there was a noticeable labor shortage felt by organic producers. Inflation had a significant impact on the organic supply chain, as well as the entire food supply chain, increasing costs and leading to higher prices in the grocery aisles. As a result, the organic sector mirrored the overall food industry, with the value of organic sales increasing, even though the growth in the sales volume of some categories stagnated.

In 2021, the sales value of the sector observed a growth rate of four percent, almost half the rate of growth in the current year. The sales of organic food reached a sum of $61.7 billion, whereas the organic non-food sales were valued at close to $6 billion. The aggregate value of sales for Certified Organic items now accounts for a total of 6 percent of food sales in the United States.

Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, stated that organic products have proven to have resilience against economic turbulence. Despite the volatility of the economy, people in America are still committed to investing in their own health and, increasingly, in protecting the environment. Organic products have become the solution to these concerns. Chapman added that the fundamental principles that organic products uphold remain robust, and consumers have shown that they will continue to choose organic products because of the verified organic system that is better for people, the planet, and the economy.

The phrase “produce still leads organic” is a succinct statement that highlights the continued dominance of non-organic produce in the market. Despite the growing popularity of organic produce, non-organic options continue to hold the majority share of the market. This statement emphasizes the need for increased efforts to promote the benefits of organic produce and encourage consumers to make more environmentally conscious decisions.

The top-selling category of organic goods is organic produce, which is frequently the first organic product that new organic buyers purchase. It has managed to maintain its position as the best-selling category among all organic products. In the United States, sales of organic produce have amounted to $22 billion, comprising about 15 percent of all fruit and vegetable sales in the country.

In 2022, the organic beverage sector proved to be the second most successful organic category, accumulating a total of $9 billion in sales, which marks a 4% increase. Organic coffee, maintaining its rank as the most popular organic beverage, saw a rise of nearly 7% from the previous year, with sales amounting to almost $2.3 billion. Organic soft drinks and enhanced drinks also experienced a significant breakthrough, generating $503 million in sales, which marks a growth rate of almost 14%.

Angela Jagiello, who is the Director of Education and Insights for OTA as well as the overseer of the yearly survey, observed that organic beverages are on the rise. This is a category where consumers are open to trying new things and are not as concerned with price. The non-alcoholic trend had a significant impact on the success of soft and enhanced drinks. Many younger consumers are choosing to reduce or eliminate alcohol and are turning to these organic beverages as a more refined and celebratory option.

In the organic market, dairy and eggs were the third highest-selling category, generating $7.9 billion in revenue and increasing by 7 percent from the previous year. Currently, organic dairy and eggs make up almost 8 percent of the entire dairy and egg market. The rise in dollar sales for this category can be attributed to sustained demand and inflationary price increases. Organic yogurt and eggs saw double-digit growth, with organic yogurt sales increasing by more than 12 percent to $1.5 billion, and organic egg sales by 11 percent to approximately $1.2 billion.

As expected, the rate of growth in organic sales has decreased from the rapid pace experienced during the pandemic. Nonetheless, a vast array of organic products has shown exceptional growth as consumers integrate organic items more fully into their lifestyles. A few examples of this growth include a 13 percent increase in sales of organic baby food and formula, reaching a total of $1.4 billion. Additionally, organic rice, grains, and potato products have seen a growth rate of over 10 percent, totaling $387 million in sales. Sales of organic dips have also experienced significant growth, increasing by 18 percent to $194 million. Finally, organic pork sales have increased by more than 10 percent, reaching $63 million in total sales.

The sales of organic non-food items were dominated by organic linens and clothing, which accounted for 40% of all sales in this category. The total sales recorded for this subcategory amounted to $2.4 billion, reflecting a modest increase of 2.5%. Organic supplements, on the other hand, saw no significant fluctuation in sales, maintaining its steady sales of around $2 billion. Sales of organic personal care products, however, experienced a growth of over 5%, amounting to $1.2 billion.

The future of organic products is undoubtedly promising.

The triumph of organic products is not a recent phenomenon. Over the past decade, sales of organic goods have increased by over two-fold, indicating a surge in demand for such products in the United States. In 2018, the total sales of organic items surpassed the $50 billion landmark for the first time ever. Furthermore, the sales of organic food items reached the same milestone in 2019, just a few years ago.

Government of Canada announces close to $857,000 to support maternal mental health on World Maternal Mental Health Day

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During pregnancy and after giving birth, many women experience significant mental health challenges such as depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts. These perinatal mental health issues can adversely affect not only the mother and child, but can also have a long-lasting negative impact on families. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting maternal mental health, and creating a future free of stigma around perinatal mental illness.

On World Maternal Mental Health Day and during Mental Health Week in Canada, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced close to $857,000 in funding to three organizations for their projects in support of maternal mental health. This announcement was made during the 2nd annual Flora’s Walk, the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative’s Fundraiser walk named after Flora Babakhani, a Canadian mother who lost her life to undetected and untreated postpartum psychosis.

Health Canada will provide $372,000 to the Women’s College Hospital to develop national clinician guidelines for perinatal mood disorders. This supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to develop mental health standards and to ensure timely access to perinatal mental health services. The guidelines will help individuals, families, and caregivers better understand what to ask for in their care; assist health care professionals in expanding their knowledge of what perinatal care should be offered; and help health care organizations measure, assess, and improve their performance.

Additionally, The Public Health Agency of Canada will provide $279,000 to the Canadian Mothercraft Society to promote secure attachment between mothers and their children; and $206,000K to the Families Matter Society of Calgary to lead projects aimed at promoting positive mental health by increasing access to support services for Black parents struggling with perinatal mood disorders.

Today’s announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s investments in Budget 2023, including our plan to invest nearly $200 Billion over 10 years to improve health care services for Canadians, reduce surgical backlogs, support health workers, and improve integrated mental health and substance use services. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that mental health care, including perinatal mental health care, is treated as a full and equal part of our health care system.

Quotes
“In Canada, a quarter of mothers who recently gave birth reported feelings consistent with either postpartum, depression or anxiety. As we mark the 2nd annual Flora’s Walk, which honours the memory of Flora Babakhani, who tragically lost her life to postpartum psychosis, as well as World Maternal Mental Health Day and Mental Health Week – today’s funding will enable more mothers across Canada to access the mental health supports they need and deserve. To all the new parents who may be struggling, please do not carry this burden alone or in silence. Getting help is the most important thing you can do for yourself  – you are not alone.”

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health

“It is our greatest pleasure to collaborate with our colleagues and stakeholders from diverse populations across the country in the development of the first Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Canada. This national clinical practice guideline will provide clear direction to mental healthcare practitioners on the best treatments for the most common mental health problems during pregnancy and the postpartum – and support affected persons and their families in knowing what they can and should expect from their treatment.”

Dr. Simone Vigod (Women’s College Hospital & the University of Toronto) and Dr. Benicio Frey (McMaster University & St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton)
Co-leads on the project to develop clinician guidelines for perinatal mood disorders

“Mothercraft applauds the federal government’s commitment to support those who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  We know that mothers and young children affected by family violence, substance use and mental health challenges were significantly affected by the pandemic. Through Mothercraft’s Healing Through Relationships project, we look forward to increasing access to a range of services and supports to promote maternal and child health.”

Michele Lupa
Executive Director, Canadian Mothercraft Society

“Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication during pregnancy and up to two years postpartum. Black women are twice as likely to experience perinatal mental health challenges but are half as likely to receive treatment. To address this disparity a program focused on the Peer Support model was created to empower Black women with their own lived experience Perinatal Mental Health struggles. These Peer Supporters will provide hope to new parents within the Black communities with this much needed resource.”

Amanda McMillan
Manager, Perinatal Mental Health Programs, Families Matter Society of Calgary

Quick Facts
Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention are critical components for well-being and can help reduce demands on the health care system. Community-based projects focussed on mental health promotion have the potential to improve health outcomes.
The Wellness Together Canada portal provides free access to educational content, self-guided therapy, moderated peer-to-peer support, and one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access the Wellness Together Canada portal, or call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 (adults) or 686868 (youth).

Kids Help Phone is also available 24/7 with e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.

Bio-K Plus Expands Distribution of Probiotic Supplements to pharmacies outside of Quebec, Offering Health Canada-Approved Health Claims

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The company has. announced the expansion of its Pro line of probiotic dietary supplements in pharmacy channels outside of Quebec. Additionally, Bio-K+ has been named the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Probiotics Brand in Quebec for 2023.  *

It all started with one goal: to inspire people to understand that gut health is the foundation of good health. For this reason, we recognize that only by providing science-based products to consumers can we make a lasting impact on their lives. Science and a passion for consumer health are the driving forces behind all of our product innovations, enabling individuals to take better care of their gut health.

Both products are now available nationwide through Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, providing consumers with clinically supported natural over-the-counter drug solutions. Both products are vegan and gluten-free, have more than 100,000 documented patient cases in over 20 years of clinical research, and are generally considered safe.  1

“As a pioneer in probiotic supplementation, Bio-K+ has been at the forefront of helping consumers improve their health and well-being,” said Fan Bonnett, Vice President of Commercial, Bio-K Plus.  “We have a responsibility to help consumers who are suffering from these uncomfortable situations.

New products must be formulated based on proven scientific evidence to provide effective health benefits to consumers. Therefore, our teams invest significant time in the development of these products to ensure maximum quality, safety and efficacy.

Our goal is to make our products reach as many consumers in need as possible. With the introduction of the Pro Series, we are paving the way for further expansion into more areas of use and to inspire a wider range of consumers.  ”

Listed in the Clinical Guidelines for Probiotic Products Available in Canada, the Pro Series contains three unique, patented and science-backed strains of bacteria from Bio-K Plus. Bio-K+ IBS Pro, certified by the Digestive Health Foundation of Canada, addresses the specific challenges faced by the large population with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).  The prevalence of IBS in Canada is one of the highest in the world, estimated at 18%, with 40% of cases associated with IBS-D.  2 In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, Bio-K+ IBS Pro reported a 65% improvement in patients’ quality of life, 3 a 50% reduction in days of abdominal pain, 4 a reduction in the amount of loose stools per week 30%4, stool consistency increased by 91%. 3

Bio-K+ Antibio Pro helps reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), including Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections, but up to 35 percent of patients are at risk of developing AAD5, which can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, increased susceptibility to infection, and even metabolic and immune disturbances.  6 A randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that Bio-K+ Antibio Pro was effective in reducing the risk of AAD by 65%, the risk of abdominal pain by 68%, the risk of CDAD by 95%, and the number of days on which symptoms occurred by 56%.  7

* Profession Santé 2023 Survey on OTC Counselling and Recommendations (re: pharmacists).
1. Bio-K+ Internal reporting. Updated May, 2021.
2. Lovell, R. M. et al. (2012). Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 10(7), 712–721.e4.
3. Preston, K. et al. (2018). Benef Microbes, 9(5), 697–706.
4. Ship, N. et al. (2019, October). Am J Gastroenterol, 114 (Supplement), S296–S297.
5. McFarland, L. V. (2008). Future microbiol, 3(5), 563–578.
6. Langdon, A. et al. (2016). Genome Med, 8(1), 39.
7. Gao, X. W. et al. (2010). Am J Gastroenterol, 105(7), 1636–1641.I

NOW® Partners with Top Wellness Experts to Launch You’re Enough NOW Campaign

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NOW®, a leading brand in the health and wellness industry for over 55 years, proudly announces its “You’re Enough NOW” campaign in collaboration with renowned wellness experts during Mental Health Awareness Month (May). The campaign aims to help individuals manage their hectic lifestyles, boost self-confidence, and recognize their inherent worth in the present moment.

NOW Wellness Experts, including Peloton Instructor Emma Lovewell, Celebrity Health Coach Kelly LeVeque, and Functional Medicine Practitioner Dr. Will Cole, will offer easy-to-follow wellness advice and motivational content to inspire people to prioritize their mental and physical health.

The “You’re Enough NOW” campaign provides FREE access to exclusive workouts, lifestyle recommendations, recipes, and more through two months of downloadable content at nowfoods.com/experts.

Alana Horinko, Senior Public Relations Manager at NOW, emphasizes the importance of combating negative self-talk and promoting self-esteem through this campaign. The two-month calendar of inspirational and practical content is designed to help individuals establish a healthier mindset and lifestyle.

Participants can expect valuable insights from wellness experts, such as Emma Lovewell’s emphasis on daily progress, Kelly LeVeque’s nutritious and tasty Fab Four™ lunches and smoothies, and Dr. Will Cole’s energizing mantras and mood-enhancing habits. Additionally, NOW’s longtime fitness partner, Lindsey Bomgren, contributes eight exclusive total-body workouts at nowfoods.com/experts.

Emma Lovewell, author of “Live Learn Love Well,” shares her excitement about continuing her partnership with NOW, as the company’s reliable products and support play a crucial role in her daily routines. Her book, available this month, highlights her personal journey toward mental and physical wellbeing while embracing the concept of progress over perfection.

Nature’s Way Introduces Brain Fuel

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Nature’s Way Introduces Brain Fuel, A Daily Wellness Supplement To Support Cognitive Function In Adults*
The company introduces Brain Fuel—a tasty, convenient gummy supplement formulated to support short-term memory, focus, and concentration for adults age 18+.* According to Mintel1 research, Millennials say supporting their overall physical health and immune system are the top two reasons for vitamin and supplement (VMS) use. This is in line with consumers overall; however, Millennials are more likely to prioritize VMS use to support their mental well-being within their health journeys.
Brain Fuel reflects the 50-year mission of Nature’s Way to harness the problem-solving power of nature to nourish human potential. The key ingredient in Brain Fuel, COGNIGRAPE®, is a clinically studied red grape extract that can be used to support cognitive function.* Additionally, per serving (two gummies), Brain Fuel provides 100 percent of the recommended Daily Value2 of vitamins B6 and B12 to help nourish the brain and support brain function.*

“Brain health and mental wellness continues to be a priority for many of us,” said Andrew Hartshorn, Chief Marketing Officer at Nature’s Way. “So often we are inspired by nature for the best solutions which is why we’ve introduced Brain Fuel, giving consumers a plant-derived and clinically studied ingredient in a tasty gummy supplement to support cognitive function.*”

1 look forward to 1 Vitamin boost: Half of Millennials are using vitamins and supplements more often than they did before the pandemic | Mintel

How to grow my snack business?

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Email marketing is an effective tool for any business, big or small, to build relationships with customers, increase brand awareness, and grow their business. Health Food stores, in particular, can use email marketing to grow their snack consumer business, by sending rele-vant and engaging content to their target audience.

The fi rst step in growing your Health Food store’s snack consum-er business through email marketing is to create an email list. The store can add customers to its list by asking them to sign up for newsletters or promotional emails. In addition, the store can use an opt-in form on its website or in the store to capture customers’ emails. Once the grocery store has built a list of interested custom-ers, it can start creating an email marketing strategy.
Your store should create content that is relevant to its target audi-ence. This could include recipes featuring Wise Bite snacks, Hip-peas, Caulipower and many brands that we offer, tips on healthy snacking, and discounts or promotions on products. The content should be engaging and informative so that customers are encour-aged to click through and learn more.

In addition to creating content, your store should also encourage its customers to share with their friends and family. This can be done by offering discounts or incentives to customers who refer friends and family to the store.

Finally, your grocery store should focus on personalizing the emails they send out. This can be done by segmenting the list into differ-ent categories, such as frequent shoppers, health-conscious shop-pers, or new customers. By segmenting the list, your store can tailor its emails to the specifi c interests of each group. This will help to ensure that customers are receiving content that is relevant to them and that they are more likely to engage with.
Overall, email marketing can be an effective tool for Health Food stores to grow their snack consumer business. By creating engaging content and personalizing emails to their customers, store owners can increase brand awareness, build relationships with customers, and ultimately grow their business.

Sleep by Outwork Nutrition: A Scientifically-Backed Natural Sleep Aid for Enhanced Rest and Recovery

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Layne Norton’s evidence-based supplement company ventures into the sleep aid market with Sleep, a cutting-edge formula supported by science.

Outwork Nutrition, a reputable dietary supplement brand committed to evidence-based formulations, is proud to announce the launch of Sleep. This aptly named natural sleep aid is designed to help users fall asleep faster, enhance sleep quality, and support mood. In line with Outwork Nutrition’s commitment to research-driven products, Sleep is formulated using clinically dosed, evidence-based ingredients proven to be effective in healthy adult populations.

Sleep features melatonin, a well-known supplemental hormone associated with improved sleep quality, and L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation. The star ingredient, however, is affron®, a natural saffron extract derived from the Crocus sativus flower. Affron® has been shown to enhance sleep in healthy adults experiencing sleep disturbances. Unlike other sleep supplement ingredients lacking robust data, several studies provide evidence that affron® is linked to better sleep quality and mood outcomes in healthy populations.

High-quality sleep is vital for overall health, especially for athletes and those engaged in physical training. Despite its importance, many adults consistently fail to get enough sleep. This is particularly concerning for elite athletes, as one study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance revealed that only 3% of participants met their sleep needs, potentially compromising their training, recovery, and performance.

Sleep, as formulated by Outwork Nutrition, may help address this issue. Layne Norton, PhD, the company’s founder, explains: “Quality sleep might be the single greatest natural performance enhancer and recovery boost there is. Our new product isn’t a cure-all for sleep issues, but there is good evidence it may help with both sleep duration and quality.” Norton emphasizes the importance of good sleep habits, adding that “in conjunction with those, this product can be beneficial for improving sleep and making your training more productive.”

Pangea Natural Foods Acquires Glory Juice: A New Era in Organic Health Food Industry

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Pangea Natural Foods Inc., a renowned manufacturer and co-packer of health food products, has recently entered into an agreement to acquire Glory Juice, a company specializing in the development and commercialization of organic health food products. This acquisition aims to combine Pangea’s expertise in the health food market with Glory Juice’s commitment to sustainability, local sourcing, and high-quality organic products.
Glory Juice, with over 9 years of experience in the industry, has built a strong reputation for its cold-pressed juicing method and dedication to using organic ingredients sourced from local farms. The company operates three retail locations in Vancouver and offers a wide range of products, including juices, nut and seed mylks, ready-to-blend smoothies, wellness shots, and more. In addition to their retail presence, Glory Juice provides franchising options, business-to-business partnerships, co-branding, and white-label capabilities.

With this acquisition, Pangea aims to expand its product portfolio and reinforce its commitment to delivering high-quality, organic, and sustainable health food products to its customers. Both companies share a mission to nourish the body, mind, and environment, empowering customers to live vibrant, healthy, and sustainable lives.

The transaction involves Pangea issuing an aggregate of 6,000,000 common shares to the vendors, along with the repayment of outstanding loans to certain Glory Juice shareholders through secured promissory notes.

Danone Institute North America Announces Grant Proposals for Sustainable Food Systems Initiative

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Danone Institute North America (DINA) is now inviting grant proposals for the third offering of its DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative, previously known as the “One Planet. One Health” Initiative. This biennial competitive grant program, managed by Danone North America, a purpose-led food and beverage leader and Certified B Corporation, aims to fund up to five transdisciplinary teams in the U.S. and Canada. With a total of US$260,000 in funding, the 2023-2025 initiative is DINA’s most substantial offering to date.

The selected grantees will have two years to design, implement, and evaluate community-based projects that promote sustainable food systems while improving human health and nutrition. Each finalist will receive US$50,000 to support their project, and an extra US$10,000 will be granted to the team with the most effective communications plan in the fall of 2023.

DINA encourages educators, researchers, and activists to apply and share their innovative ideas for actionable, transdisciplinary, community-centered projects that merge sustainable food systems with human health and nutrition. The DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative provides crucial funding for new projects, particularly in under-resourced areas, empowering local leaders from diverse backgrounds to transform their individual projects into enduring programs.

Eligible teams must consist of four members representing diverse disciplines related to food systems, including but not limited to nutrition, health, economics, agriculture, community food access, and social, behavioral, or environmental sciences. At least one team member should be a current academic faculty member.

Serge Boulanger of METRO Honored with the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award

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Retail Council of Canada recognizes Boulanger’s exceptional contributions to the grocery industry

The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is proud to announce that Serge Boulanger, the former Senior Vice President of National Procurement and Corporate Brands at METRO Inc., will be awarded the prestigious 2023 Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade honors Boulanger’s remarkable career and extraordinary contributions to the Canadian grocery industry.

The Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates individuals or families who have exemplified outstanding service, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to the growth and innovation of the Canadian retail and grocery sectors. Recipients embody the spirit of community and trust, as well as contributing to the communities they serve and to philanthropy.

Boulanger’s impressive career at METRO began in 1996 within the marketing department. Over the years, he held several key positions, spearheading initiatives such as the 2008 rebranding of five conventional banners to the Metro brand in Ontario. Boulanger also played a crucial role in launching the Brunet Plus and Brunet Clinique banners and the “Ma Santé” program in Quebec. His achievements led him to be promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, National Procurement and Corporate Brands in 2012, where he continued to expand his responsibilities and contribute significantly to the industry.

Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, expressed her excitement in honoring Boulanger, stating that his “outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to the retail industry have left an indelible mark, and his contributions have been invaluable to the growth and success of the grocery industry in Canada.”

Boulanger expressed his gratitude for the recognition, noting that he is proud of his contributions to the industry and shares the honor with the colleagues, partners, and mentors who have supported and inspired him throughout his career.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Boulanger at the Retail Council of Canada’s Canadian Grand Prix Awards Gala on May 31, 2023, at the Toronto Congress Centre.