You’ve heard how your body benefits more from organic food than the usual food items in your favorite grocery stores. But you’re not the only one who’s enjoying its wonders. According to the chemical-free grapevine, one of the delicious facts about organic food is how it can also be beneficial to Mother Nature.

Pesticides and antibiotics are widely used in modern farming to shield agricultural products from insects and to enhance growth and quality. These chemicals however are deemed to be poisonous to the farmers themselves, the very soil they work on and the ecosystem surrounding it.

Since organic farming makes use of eco-friendly agricultural ways such as crop rotation and natural manure as fertilizer, the harmful effects of the chemicals are reduced. According to a report by MSN, organic farming restores the air quality because the earth’s atmosphere is able to increase the carbon it produces.

Additionally, the report cites a study by the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) which discovered that growing plants organically enhances the quality of soil compared to modern farming.

Because of its contributions to the environment and the world’s food security, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is exploring the potentials of organic farming in the eastern part of Europe.

“But there is increasing evidence from Africa and elsewhere that organic agriculture can play its part in feeding the world and in meeting various sustainability goals, from water and improved soil quality to delivering higher levels of employment and conservation of biodiversity,” according to UN Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner in a press release.

The UN is also positive about its worldwide market. According to their partner the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), organic farming is “developing rapidly with 35 million hectares of agricultural land managed organically by almost 1.4 million producers in over 150 countries.”

With the worldwide campaign to save the environment and to battle health conditions such as obesity and cancer, investing in an organic food business is timely and an ideal business venture as well. IRTH Communications is ready to orient and advise prospective investors about this earth-friendly business and to refer them to established and trustworthy companies in the industry of natural and organic foods. Visit their website now to know more.

There’s a reason why the skull and crossbones sign for poison is embedded on the labels of pesticides. It’s more of a grim premonition of what these chemicals are capable of – that in the end, it’s us human beings who will feel its dangerous effects down to our bones.

Pesticides are widely condemned all over the world because of its various harmful effects. But what exactly are these effects? Are gasmasks not that helpful anymore? Just when you thought it was all about staying away during fumigation, it’s not really that simple.

Health issues

Pesticides are used for agricultural purposes for obvious reasons. But it’s even more obvious that the chemicals that drive insects away are dangerous to our health. In a report posted in bclocalnews.com, scientific research claims that exposure to pesticides can be related to increased risks of cancer among children and adults.

Apparently, exposure is not only limited to inhaling its fumes because the fruits and vegetables that you’re about to eat could be tainted with pesticides. According to a report by Yahoo! Green, washing it under the tap just doesn’t do the trick. Government research discovered that fruits and vegetables prepared and cooked at home still contain chemical residues.

Dr. Walter Crinnion, a naturopathic doctor in his article in the Huffington Post website said that pesticides when consumed attack the brain, causing depression, headache, fatigue, memory loss and inability to think clearly. He also confirmed that we do get the toxic compounds from these pesticides from eating our favorite conventional fruits and vegetables like apples, bell peppers, strawberries, lettuce, carrots, cherries and many more.

The effects in wildlife

Aside from our health, pesticides have also affected the biodiversity of animals like birds and amphibians. In Sequoia National Park in Sierra Nevada for example, falcons are not able to reproduce properly because their eggs are found to have traces of pesticides, according to an article posted in the website of the US National Park Service. The presence of chemical residues in the park may have also been the cause of the decline in the number of yellow-legged frogs in the park.

No panic in organic

Organic farming, an environment friendly form of agriculture is currently promoted all over the world to reduce the effects of these dangerous pesticides. This method produces the healthy and safe to eat organic foods, one of the best-selling goods in the market today. Dr. Crinnion recommends increasing your intake of organic fruits and vegetables to reduce the risks of these poisonous toxins.

IRTH Communications is one of the companies that promote industries that are helpful to the environment such as the organic food business. It also provides advice, possible business options and an overview of the market to potential investors.

Did you know that according to the World Health Organization, up to 2.7 million lives could be saved if only the world would consume fruits and vegetables regularly?

Fruits and vegetables are not on top of the food pyramid for no good reason. Experts recommend that it should be part of one’s diet, specifically at least five servings a day because of its natural health benefits. Studies have shown over and over again that these farm grown foods lower the risks of dreaded health conditions like stroke, heart and digestive problems, high blood pressure and cancer.

Other wonders

Many fruits and vegetables are also found to be beneficial to pregnant women because of its folic acid content, according to the Baylor College of Medicine. Folic acid or folate is a vitamin essential to the development of the organs of a fetus such as the skull, spinal column and the brain. Foods rich in folate include grapefruits, oranges, peas, asparagus and green and leafy vegetables.

For people who want to stay fit, fruits and vegetables essentially contain no fat while some like broccoli, spinach, apples and melons are believed to speed up metabolism. In addition, the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that fruits and veggies can calm the sugar levels in your blood, which keeps your appetite at bay.

Ensuring quality

The World Health Organization has been active in raising awareness on the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. However, the modern process of producing these precious agricultural goods has incorporated the use of synthetic materials like pesticides and artificial fertilizers. These chemicals are being slammed for its harmful effects to the health of both farmers and consumers.

Thus, the growing industry of organic farming is promoted worldwide to address this agricultural issue. Grown with the safest and most natural procedures, organic fruits and vegetables are guaranteed safe and are even more nutritious as well.

IRTH Communications, LLC specializes in providing the ideal investments in the natural and organic foods business.

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Significant large companies in this market are:

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) is the retailer with 275 stores specializing in natural health foods, organic raw foods, organic health foods and other natural products. They started operations in 1980 in Austin, Texas. Food market research states that this market leader has grown to revenues of $7.9 billion in 2008. From 2001 to 2006 Whole Foods Market, Inc. stock price increased roughly 800% from $10 to $80.

The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), is a manufacturer and distributor of natural health foods, organic health food, personal care products in North America and Europe. The company markets the popular Celestial Seasonings® line of teas and had revenues of $1.1 billion in 2008. From 1997 to 2001 Hain Celestial Group stock price increased over 800% from under $5 to $40, according to food market research.

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNFI) is a distributor of specialty, organic and natural health foods and other related products including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic raw food and produce in the United States with revenues of $3.45 billion in 2008. Food market research shows that from 2001 to 2007, the United Natural Foods, Inc. stock price increased by an estimated 750% from $5 to $35.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ:GMCR) is a specialty coffee manufacturer and distributor with 2008 sales of $803 million. Advocating the concept of providing natural health foods for healthy living, the company markets the Green Mountain Coffee® and Tully’s Coffee® brands and employs a combined total of over 1,400 employees. From November 2008 to October 2009 Green Mountain Coffee Roasters stock price increased by about 400% from under $20 to $79.

Additionally, because of the boom in organic health food production, investors are being rewarded by the acquisition of natural products companies by larger companies. In 2002, BC Natural Foods purchased Coleman Natural Products, with $150 million in annual sales for an undisclosed amount. In 2006, 84% of Tom’s of Maine, pioneer of natural personal care products was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive for $100 million.

*All data presented here is based on solid food market research.

The natural products have really taken off since organic farming was first conceptualized in the 1920s. The popularity of natural health foods, like organic raw food and organic health food, has turned into an organic trend wherein even organic diapers are now being produced. One of the companies that has earned an excellent reputation for being a producer of organic and natural health food is Reed’s, Inc.

Reed’s, Inc. makes the top-selling sodas sold in natural food markets nationwide. According to food market research, it is currently selling in more than 10,500 supermarkets in natural health foods and mainstream supermarkets. Its six award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry, being brewed, not manufactured and using fresh ginger, spices and fruits in a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. In addition, the Company owns the top-selling root beer line in natural health foods, the Virgil’s Root Beer product line, and the top-selling cola line in natural foods, the China Cola product line. Other product lines include Reed’s Ginger Candies and Reed’s Ginger Ice Creams.
Reed’s products are sold through specialty gourmet and natural health food stores, mainstream supermarket chains, retail stores and restaurants nationwide, and in Canada.

According to food market research done by the USDA/Economic Research Service on Feb 7, 2009, ginger is the fastest growing spice in the US.

Reed’s, Inc. is evidence that innovative organic health food will continue to become a stable and growing sector of the natural health foods industry.

REED’S, Inc. Investor Fact Sheet – October 2009 1.4mb PDF)
REED’S, Inc. Investor Presentation – September 2009  (5.4mb PDF)
REED’S, Inc. Investor Video Presentation – September 2009 with Chris Reed

For more information about Reed’s, please visit the company’s website at:

REED’S, Inc. Official Site or call 800-99-REEDS
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1920’s

In response to the shift towards synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides in the 1920’s, ecologically minded farmers came together in various associations such as: Demeter International of Germany, which encouraged biodynamic farming and began the first certification program in 1928, the Soil Association of the United Kingdom, and Rodale Press in the United States.

1940′s

Synthetic pesticides and herbicides were introduced to American agriculture.

1940′s to 1950′s

J.I. Rodale, Ehrnefried Pfeiffer of Kemberton Farm School, and Paul Keene of Walnut Acres Farms wrote about their experiences farming organically.

1953

Natural Food Associates (NFA) was formed in Atlanta, Texas, to connect buyers and sellers of organic foods.

1962

Silent Spring was published, documenting the negative effects of pesticides on birds and the overall environment. Rachel Carson’s cited research showing that DDT had caused thinner egg shells, reproductive problems and death. This book is widely credited with starting the modern environmental movement.

1968

Stewart Brand publishes the Whole Earth Catalog, creating a marketplace for consumers and suppliers interested in sustainability and ecology.
Tom and Kate Chappell decided to create Tom’s of Maine to make and sell their own natural and personal care products that would not harm the environment.

1970’s

A group of farmers formed California Certified Organic Farmers, becoming the first organization to certify organic farms in North America.

1970

Earth Day is founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) in the U.S. on April 22 as a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

1972

Demeter, the Soil Association and Rodale Press joined to form the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

1973

United States bans the pesticide DDT. Organic certification was born for organic raw food, organic health food and other natural health food and product manufacturers and producers. The organic logo and organic food labeling soon followed.

1975

Tom’s of Maine introduce the first natural toothpaste (1975) and deodorant (1976).

1976

Frontier Natural Products Co-op began as a two-person operation in 1976 in a cabin along the Cedar River in Eastern Iowa.

1979

Mel Coleman, Sr., founds Coleman Natural Meat, the first company to ask for and receive a USDA “natural” label. Coleman beef is produced from animals that have been raised from birth without the use of antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones on a 100 percent vegetarian diet.

1980

Safer Way Natural Foods and Clarksville Natural Grocery join forces to open Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas with a staff of only 19.

1988

Frontier Natural Products Co-op expands from wholesale to retail with packaged spices.
Reed’s Ginger Brew starts making natural ginger ale.

1989

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released their report on the carcinogenic growth regulator Alar, which was used on apples.

1990

The organic industry had estimated sales of more than $1 billion and Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which established the framework to create the National Organic Standards Board.

1991

Now with more than 85,000 sq. ft., Frontier Natural Products Co-op introduces of a line of gourmet, 100% certified organic whole bean coffees. Subsequent introductions included a line of herbal extracts and the first certified organic beer in the United States.

1999

Coleman trademarks its meats with the phrase “No Antibiotics, No Added Hormones … Ever.” Organic raw food and health foods are setting a trend.

2000

Organic industry members and consumers sent over 275,000 comments to the USDA on their proposed National Organic Standards Board, which included provisions not recommended by the NOSB.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service released a major study on the status of natural health foods in the U.S. showing that certified organic crop land more than doubled during the previous decade and that some organic livestock sectors— eggs and dairy—grew even faster.

2001

USDA passes the Final Organic Rule after reinstating prohibitions on irradiation, sewage sludge and genetically engineered seed.
Frontier sells the organic coffee business to Green Mountain Coffee.

2002

The Simply Organic brand, established in 2002, quickly became the fastest growing brand in natural seasonings and the leading brand of the explosively growing category of organic seasonings within the natural health foods sector.
BC Natural Foods purchased Coleman Natural Products. According to food market research, Coleman, with $150 million in revenue, maintained nearly double-digit growth during most of its years and its products are sold in more than 1,700 stores across the country with beef sourced from more than 800 ranchers in 17 western states.

2006

Tom’s of Maine bought by the Colgate-Palmolive Company for $100 million.

2008

Whole Foods posts record revenues of $7.9 billion with 275 stores.

2009

Farms that grow organic raw food and companies that manufacture organic health food have become so efficient that they now excel in carbon emissions trading and have proven to be successful in lowering down the discharge and use of volatile organic compounds.

For more information on natural health foods, like organic raw food and organic health food, and current food market research, complete the form below:
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There has never been a better time to invest in the expanding natural products industry. Including sales of natural products across all retail and direct-to-consumer channels, this $62 billion dollar industry[1] has almost doubled in size from $32 billion in 2001. Because of the fact that Americans now are becoming more and more health conscious, especially due to scientific research proving that chemicals in food are the cause of many diseases, natural health foods, like organic raw food and organic health food, have become a driving force for the industry.

The natural products industry is mature enough to provide a stable return for investors, but popular enough to sustain nearly double digit growth. This popularity is fueled by the desire for long-term health and the shift to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices. This growth could continue for years due to the relatively small current share of the overall market. For example, food market research shows that the $21 billion organic foods segment represent only 3% of all U.S. food sales.

Growth

Individual segments are forecasting continued strong growth. Organic foods, a segment of the overall natural products market, have experienced double-digit growth for the last decade. For the twelve months ending in October 4, 2008, the sales of natural products in conventional food, drug and mass market retailers was $13.4 billion, a growth of 12.2% from the previous twelve months. according to food market research, overall U.S. sales of organic foods was $21.1 billion in 2008 – over 3 percent of total food sales – and will reach $23.0 billion in 2009 according to the Nutrition Business Journal.[2] Additionally, according to the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales are anticipated to increase an average of 18 percent each year until 2010.

This growth is being driven by:

- increased awareness of the value that food and nutrition contribute to long-term health;
- greater awareness about the need for sustainable practices in manufacturing and agriculture; and
- ongoing consumer concern over the safety of the use of pesticides, artificially introduced hormones, genetically engineered ingredients and artificial ingredients.

Significant Companies

Significant large companies in this market are:

• Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI?), the retailer with 275 stores specializing in natural products, organic health food and organic raw food. Started in 1980 in Austin, Texas, this market leader has grown to revenues of $7.9 billion in 2008.
• The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), is a manufacturer and distributor of natural health foods and personal care products in North America and Europe. The company markets the popular Celestial Seasonings® line of teas and had revenues of $1.1 billion in 2008.
• United Natural Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNFI) is a distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic produce in the United States with revenues of $3.45 billion in 2008.
• Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ:GMCR), is a specialty coffee manufacturer and distributor with 2008 sales of $803 million. The company markets the Green Mountain Coffee® and Tully’s Coffee® brands and employs a combined total of over 1,400 employees.

Additionally, investors are being rewarded by the acquisition of natural products companies by larger companies. In 2002, BC Natural Foods purchased Coleman Natural Products, with $150 million in annual sales for an undisclosed amount. In 2006, 84% of Tom’s of Maine, pioneer of natural personal care products was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive for $100 million.

What is Organic?

No industry body has defined the term “natural food.” The FDA tried to define the term in 1991 but gave up saying that it is “very complex.” According to Whole Foods, a food is considered a natural food when it is as close to the natural state as possible, minimally processed and largely or completely free of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Due to the almost virgin state of the product, natural health foods contain the essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs.

‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. According to the Act, “The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.”[3]

Additionally the National Organic Standards Board states that “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water. Organic health food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.”

Organic Market Overview

The $21 billion dollar organic foods market was comprised of the following segments in 2008.

Produce; fruits and vegetables 37%
Dairy 16%
Beverages 13%
Packaged and prepared foods 13%
Bread and grains 10%
Snack foods 5%
Meat, fish and poultry 3%
Condiments 3%

Organic products are now sold through nearly 20,000 natural food stores and nearly 3 of 4 conventional grocery stores, as per current food market research. National surveys conducted by the Hartman Group and Food Marketing Institute during the early 2000s found that two-thirds of surveyed shoppers bought organically grown foods. Both organic health food and organic raw food are sold to consumers through natural food stores, conventional grocery stores and direct to consumer markets. Direct-to-consumer markets such as “farmer’s markets” make up 7% of the sales and have grown from 1,755 markets in 1994, when USDA began to track them, to over 4,685 in 2008.