Organic Foods

 Producers, if you’re flexible and looking for a new market, you might want to think cereal. But there’s a hitch…the cereal grains you grow may have to be all-natural. Golden Temple is a company in Eugene, Oregon that is expanding despite the lousy economy. Their formula for success is buying all-natural grains and processing them into cereals. First, corporate marketing person, Elissa Brown, explains natural.  “All natural means that we use nothing artificial, no preservatives, no synthetic additives, and everything is grown and made without GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organism’s). We’re looking for growers that    don’t use anything artificial  and definitely no GMO’s…those are a big No! No! for us.”

Typically, when products are labeled as all-natural or organic, they carry a little higher price tag. In the middle of this economic climate, wouldn’t that mean slower business?

(Brown) “People who buy all-natural products are committed to that lifestyle and are less likely to turn to conventional foods or move away from the organic or all-natural foods that they’ve adopted as part of their lifestyles. One of the things we know is that they’re pretty committed to that lifestyle. That’s one thing that’s worked in our favor. We have a multi-faceted business that has put us in a good position right now.”

Farmers, you may want to think about the possibility of a niche revenue stream, that being some organic growing, in these challenging economic times. Just a thought.