Starting an organic food market is a way to tap into a thriving industry while also staying true to your ideals. Sales of organic foods increased 20-fold between 1990 and 2007, according to The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging Trends 2008. Consumers want organic food products, but they are often confused about the meaning of organic labeling and the integrity of the companies manufacturing products that bear the organic label. A successful organic food store will be able to convince consumers they have vetted every product they carry to verify its compliance with organic principles.
Instructions
start an organic food market
1. Decide whether you will apply for retailer's organic certification. Contact Quality Assurance International about their National Organic Program. If you attain certification, you can promote the fact that an independent third party has verified your store's compliance with organic standards and regulations.
2. If you bypass official certification, you can still achieve credibility with your customers by developing a thoughtful policy and quality marketing materials to communicate the complexities and contradictions inherent in third party certification. If you choose this route, your marketing materials should contain detailed information about the criteria you use to verify that your products are organically grown.
3. Get to know organic farmers and producers in your area. Visit their farms, and speak to them about their growing practices. Contact distributors of produce and organic grocery items, obtain catalogs and begin selecting inventory.
4. Market your store through venues that attract your target market, such as natural health practitioners and yoga centers. Offer special discounts and deals to their clientele. Place targeted advertisements in local publications that attract an environmentally aware and health-conscious readership.
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