Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers, while offerings of organic meats, eggs, breads, grains and beverages have increased, according to a USDA Economic Research Service report.
The marketing boom has pushed organic food retail sales to $21.1 billion in 2008 from $3.6 billion in 1997.
Supermarkets, club stores, big-box stores and other food retailers carry organic products. Many retailers have introduced lines of organic private-label products, and manufacturers continue to introduce large numbers of new organic products, the report says.
For the full report, go to www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB58.