Food Trends for 2019: Pendulum Swings Towards Organic

Let’s talk about another food trend that has taken 2019 by storm and is sure to be a presence in the years to come. Market experts first took notice of this trend back in 2017 when they recorded a 30 percent growth of organic grain farm acreage. The decision by a large number of major corporations to move towards organic options has had a massive impact on the farming industry, and not just for fruits and vegetables. The impetus behind this shift towards sustainable, organic farming and production has a lot to do with the company’s desire to put in the necessary time and money to be considered a legitimately organic organization. There is still a shockingly low number of these companies in existence, but the trend suggests that more and more companies will be fueled by agricultural innovation and incentives from certification agencies.

Considering so few companies are officially recognized, and more importantly certified as organic, the bar can certainly be raised. That is why agencies like QAI are offering Transitional Certified stamps for businesses that have made a concerted effort toward converting their farming operations from traditional means to a more sustainable, organic operation. You can take a company like Kashi, and pinpoint why they are one of the first companies you think about when you think of purely organic companies. It’s because they have received the necessary certification that allows them to advertise as an entirely organic operation. They perpetuate this powerful narrative by being outspoken in regard to their support for farmers that choose to transition to sustainable methods from traditional farming practices.

It may sound like a no-brainer in theory, but there is a lot for farmers to consider before deciding to transition over to organic farming practices. There is always the prospect of more progressive technology on the horizon that may supersede the current organic farming methods. It’s difficult to stay ahead of the curve when there’s other progressive-leaning practices that are being investigated. For instance, Biodynamic farming has been tipped as the new hot thing in organic farming. Basically, Biodynamic means the entirety of the farm will be certified as a wholistic ecosystem, suggesting a totally organic operation with little to no chemical interference.

There is also a large contingent of innovators introducing more aquaculture practices to the conventional farming landscape. Even fish farming has been mired with criticism for its questionable practices. For many, pulling directly from oceans is seen as equally unsustainable as the raising of livestock for slaughter. Yes, even aquaculture farming has evolved into an eco-friendlier space with companies like Edenworks, who happen to be an iNECTA customer, using sustainable fish farming practices and re-purposing leftover waste to fertilize the soil for vegetable growth. Fish waste is easily converted into natural fertilizer for the growth of things like spinach, cabbage and kale. These leafy greens are then used to filter the water for the fish, creating an unending circle of recyclable sustainability.

As you can well see, there is a plethora of new innovations for the purpose of creating more organic, sustainable methods for farming. This spans from fish catching, plant growth and even livestock growth. The gauntlet has been thrown down on the traditional, unsustainable farming practitioners­–with less and less excuses available for not transitioning to more organic methods.