Not Just a Trend...

The fashion industry isn't the only one going organic. Advocates and owners of agribusinesses have been waiting for this day for decades. The trend in the food industry is focused on eating healthier and organic. Fair-trade chocolate and organic wine are all the rage. They offer the consumer the indulgence but with a healthier twist. Although organic sales were higher last year, businesses are not getting discouraged. Organic food tends to be more expensive than most, but they have confidence things will start to turn around, especially now that they have the White House on their side. The first lady, Michelle Obama, has vowed to encourage a more nutritious and sustainable food supply, which has advocates ecstatic. Michelle Obama has stressed the need for fresh, unprocessed, locally grown food. The goal here is to change the world. The hope is that changes will be made in the way the federal government oversees our food supply and farms. These changes could significantly increase the demand for fresh, local and organic products.

The US has become efficient at producing cheap, abdunant food that is great for corporations, but not so healthy for its consumers and the environment. The hope is that farmers will be encouraged to grow more diverse crops and use less fossil fuels for things like fertilizer and transportation.

Advocates face many obstacles and disputes, but they are confident that they will see progress made in the industry. They continue to gain support from big names like Oprah Winfrey and Gweneth Paltrow. Obesity and food safety concerns also promote the use of organic foods. This growing trend is creeping its way into the mainstream and hopefully, for the sake of our fastfood eating country, will dominate the industry.

Original article obtained from NYTimes.com:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/business/22food.html?em