Organic produce is grown without chemical fertilisers and pesticides and sustainability is at the heart of its ethos; not just environmentally but socially and economically too.
And economically it's looking pretty healthy, as the organic system of working in harmony with nature is speaking to more and more consumers of all ages, but in particular a growing number of younger shoppers.
According
to a YouGov poll on 5 August 2024, 41 per cent of
adults say environmental sustainability affects the decisions they make
around food. The study also shows many young people view organic
choices as an essential, non-negotiable part of their daily lives.
The Soil Association echoes this finding with reports that consumer spending on organic food and drink is almost double what it was in 2011, standing at a significant £3.2 billion at the end of 2023. It says organic supermarket sales make up £2 billion of the market, while independent retail has seen sales rise 10 per cent in just one year to £475 million.
One of those independent retailers is The Organic Farm Shop in Cirencester which celebrated its 25th year in June 2024 and has seen more people than ever visiting its shop and eating at its cafe as well as more of a mix of ages than ever before.
Owner Hilary Chester-Master said: 'We are very aware there is a cost of living crisis so we are surprised we are getting busier and busier and seeing lots of younger people shopping here.
'The reasons why they are choosing to shop with us are many, but a recurring conversation is around the fact there is so much greenwashing out there now — organic food has a legal set of organic standards, with annual inspections on all organic farm and processing units, which gives real transparency about where food is really coming from and what is in it, or not in it.'
Her business has diversified from traditional farming, as well as a day nursery that grows lots of their own food, she has a greenfield campsite, yurts, huts in the woods, holiday cottages, a thriving cafe, that's vegetarian except on Sundays when it serves a traditional roast with farm meat alongside vegan and vegetarian option.
She bakes her own bread with wheat grown on the farm and milled in Tetbury. The farm also has ebikes for rent, and a vibrant education centre, with residential and day visits.
This September 2024, she has 55 organic vegetables, herbs and fruit in the shop and cafe that have all been grown from the vegetable garden right beside the shop.
Daylesford Organic, which grows produce at its farm near Stow-on-the-Wold, has seen similar levels of growth and enthusiasm over its 22 years of trading.
Daylesford saw its turnover for the year ending 1 April 2023 grow to £50.232 million up from £49.153 million, following 15 per cent of growth the year before that.
And sales of Waitrose Duchy Organic products, many grown in Tetbury, have been so popular that £45 million of profits have been donated to the King Charles III Charitable Fund.
Soil Association Certification commercial director Alex Cullen said: 'Organic has delivered a positive and resilient performance despite challenging financial and political conditions and without the support that organic food and farming receives in Europe and elsewhere in the world.'
On the edge of the Cotswolds, Stroud Brewery has been brewing organic beer since 2006 and has seen its popularity soar with no less than nine awards won this year.
And smaller producers like Ampney Brook Farm, Simon Weaver Organic in Bourton-on-the-Water, Kite's Nest Farm in Broadway and Fir Farm in Lower Swell have all seen demand for their produce grow, reflecting an increased appetite for organic living.
Soil Association Certification’s senior organic advisor, Niamh Noone, added: 'It’s brilliant to see a growing commitment among younger generations to choose organic, for both their health and the planet.
'Organic choices are playing an increasingly important part in helping people live healthier, more sustainable lives.'
