It’s Organic September, and the Soil Association is leading a month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness about the benefits of going organic, and celebrates the producers and farmers that make going organic possible. There are two reasons that people go organic - health and sustainability - and these concerns are becoming increasingly important for customers.
Put simply, organic means that the product contains zero artificial additives and preservatives, and any preservatives that are used to produce organic products are all derived from natural ingredients. Non-organic products contain a whopping 15 times more pesticides than organic.
In order to produce organic, farmers must conform to high levels of animal welfare. It is said that organic farming methods could have the biggest impact on addressing climate change across food production, who host an average of 50% more wildlife than non-organic farms. According to The Soil Association, it is estimated that if all farmers were to go organic, we would offset at least 23% of greenhouse gas emissions.
There is a misconception that organic automatically means environmentally friendly and vice versa. Although organic food production can help to combat climate change, over half of customers actually expect organic items to be packaged sustainably, over non-organic items. This isn’t always the case of course, so it’s important to be clear on your offering.
UK organic food and drink sales having increased by 54% since 2019 and with a market now worth over £3bn, the demand for organic is only set to rise.
Our client, Planet Organic are the one stop shop for organic foods, body products and supplements and were the first store to be certified by The Soil Association. Their website mission statement explains why organic is so important to them:
“We care deeply about the communities we are a part of. Our goal is to promote health within our communities and to be ethical in our treatment of both people and the planet. Being part of a community also means being part of conversations, listening and using the views of those we serve to improve what we do.”
According to research from CGA Neilson, 75% of customers said that it’s important to have healthier options available when eating out, and around 70% keep sustainability in mind when deciding what to eat and where to eat. Nearly half of customers (42%) said they think venues can do more when it comes to health or sustainability.
Research points to customers being increasingly aware and compassionate toward environmental decline, which is already influencing on the brands they choose and the venues they visit. It’s likely that this sentiment will only continue to grow in the future, and so sustainability and quality of product will become important brand differentiators.
According to a survey we asked you to take part in last year, 80% of you are more likely to choose a venue that proactively sources local organic produce, over one that doesn’t. It’s clear that hospitality brands should take note and work to a more sustainable future, evaluating their offering with these factors in mind, or if it’s something they are already doing, ensuring they get the message across to you.
We’ve shared our findings with our clients, letting them know that your health and taking care of the planet might just be the deciding factor between them choosing you over a competitor.
So, are you taking part in Organic September this year? Tag us in your photos on Instagram @mystery.dining and Facebook @mysterydining to be featured on our stories. Find out more about Organic September here.