When you hear "Organic" or "Natural"?

How can you describe your interpretation of Organic and Natural foods and products? In your own words, describe what you first think or feel, when you see/hear the words “Organic or Natural.” I’m doing some research for my marketing class on the effectiveness of advertising of the Organic Food market, and need some help from others to illustrate my thoughts. I need to advertise this idea and want to really grasp the attention of my consumer (professor) and just need some descriptive words/thoughts/phrases of what you believe describe the Organic Industry.

When you hear "Organic" or "Natural"?
When I think "organic" I immediately think that it is preferred to non-organics.


When I think "natural" I think "not denatured" - not created in a lab, made with ingredients that are found in nature and not altered chemically.


I think organic in terms of food and natural in terms of beauty products (lotions, shampoos, make-up, etc.).


I know that not everything organic is going to be perfect, but I trust it's going to be better than non-organic when it comes to commercial foods. Just because something's labeled organic doesn't mean the company is following all the guidelines. We know the FDA certification doesn't always mean much (they're rules are pretty flimsy at times). Most of the vegetables and fruits that I buy are not certified organic, but they're grown locally and I trust the farmers I buy from when they tell me that they grow without pesticides.


I also know that a whole lot of things labeled "natural" are not really natural. In fact, it is very hard to find ALL NATURAL beauty products and you don't even up paying a lot more, but it's worth it to me.


I don't know if that helps you or not. Just a few random thoughts...





P.S. As for there not being a difference in quailty of organic foods - tell that your body that has to filter poisonous toxins out of the food you eat. Try going a couple months eating nothing but organic fruits and veggies and then try a melon full of pesticides and then tell me there's no difference.
Reply:I did mean USDA instead of FDA organics in my post. I just read a piece about USDA certification of organics and they need to do some revising. Report Abuse

Reply:Another responder said, "So, while the organics are safer, they still cannot be the choice of vegans because of the animal products involved." Report Abuse

Reply:Yes, they can be a choice for vegans. Look up a definition. Is it PRACTICAL to eschew all produce that relies on any animal or it's parts? No, for most it is not. Report Abuse

Reply:The non-organic produce is cheaper and more readily available. How is that not more practical?





Hey I wanted to invite you to a messageboard/chat that I started with some of the other V %26amp; V regs. Myself, krister, lo_mcg, veganomicon, the real Tracelicious, Janet and K are members. Report Abuse

Reply:Everyone is real nice. As a matter of fact, a couple of people mentioned you as someone to invite. V %26amp; V issues aren't talked about much. It's more talking about whatever you feel like and getting to know each other better. Report Abuse

Reply:Your e-mail is blocked but mine is open now so just e-mail if you're interested and I'd send you the web address. Report Abuse

Reply:Regular produce is also full of pesticides. It would be more practical to just eat everything out of a can, too, but there is a question of health for those who care about nutrition.


I'll email you. Report Abuse

Reply:No Chemical additives.
Reply:I first think that it is the better thing to buy. It is made more humanely, etc. It can, however, be just as fattening or still have fat and high sodium.


I usually buy organic things to replace everyday things like butter, waffles, etc. I dont just buy organic and natural things just because they are there being all organic and naturall. Only if they are healthy on the label!





Good luck on the project!
Reply:I think of organic as being produced without using pesticides or chemicals / preservatives and hopefully not genetically modified(gm). To be certified organic the the soil has to go through extensive tests to show that it is pesticide free. There are organisations in different countries that provide the certification such as NASA in Australia.





Veges can be "pesticide free" but not necessarily certified organic as the soil hasn't gone through all the tests to get certification.





Natural would probably mean the food contains many whole ingredients and not very processed - such as fresh/dried fruit %26amp; veges. Hopefully also not gm or preservatives. Of course if it is organic it is a bonus.
Reply:I can only comment as far as produce goes. Organic means they use natural fertilizers and pesticides as opposed to manmade chemicals. The organic food is healthier because they aren't drowned in manmade chemicals but in manure and rendered animal parts instead.





So, while the organics are safer, they still cannot be the choice of vegans because of the animal products involved.





Here is another aspect of the organic/non-organic situation. I'm quoting myself from another answer:





"The entire US food industry is being taken over by companies that created GM foods and drug companies. If you're interested, look into the Pharmacia Corp.-Monsanto circle of death. Pharmacia is a drug company that owns Monsanto. Monsanto provides the seeds for the GM produce grown in the US as well as the herbicides and pesticides that they are drowned in. So when you eventually get sick over time from their food Pharmacia will gladly sell you the medicines to treat you. Awful nice of them isn't it?"





You might be able to use the GM (genetically modified) angle on your "consumer".
Reply:Overprices for it's term and prestige.





Of course "Organic" or "Natural" are generally proven well. and....





that's the reason why a purely "Organic" or "Natural" product always labeled in bold to please and attract customers....but...





price are quoted unfairly.





Generally customers delusion by societal norm, by the label, and pay for the scarcity and "devotion" to the product. Sellers take advantage on customers behavior.
Reply:The first thing that comes to mind is it REALLY organic or all natural or is it just a marketing device. I only believe it's organic if it has the official stamp on the package. Without the stamp it's all crap to me.





When I hear organic and all natural I get excited. I absoultly am in love with the idea that someone cared enough..took the extra time and money to grow me _______(insert fruit or veggie) without all the usuall chemicals and hormones. I am in love with the idea that I can go to the store and buy organic or all natural foods. I love the fact that I no longer have to put as much uneeded chemicals and other crap in my body. I now have a choice. Wonderful idea to me...and if certified by the USDA saying it's organic it's well worth the little extra money.
Reply:Nonesense..Its the same thing as normal vegtables they just pack it in better wrapping......overpriced too.
Reply:My interpretation: Overpriced, overhyped stuff that is identical in taste, flavor and texture as the "non-organic" option. Sometimes, it's less quality...or even worse, dangerous. Remember the spinach recall? A lot of that was organic that got recalled.





I think people get lulled into this false sense of "it's sooo much better!" and it's really not. They still use chemicals to varying degrees in the farming process and I truly do not believe the products taste or perform any better...certainly not worth a dollar difference better.
Reply:The thing that IMMEDIATELY comes to mind is "expensive/overpriced".





There is no information ever given or reason as to why I should buy organic over conventional....especially in vegetables. There are no more vitamins/minerals in organic.