Natural and Organic Consumers Focus on Health and Wellness Amidst Public Health Concerns

Mambo Sprouts Marketing Research Forecasts 2010 Organic and Green Buying Trends

Collingswood, NJ, November 16, 2009 — Health care costs and heightened public health concerns have consumers focused on staying well in 2010. That’s according to a recent MamboTracktm study by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, the leader in natural and organic product marketing and promotions, which surveyed the organic buying and wellness habits of 1,000 natural product consumers to get an outlook for the coming year.

Nine in ten (88%) consumers took additional steps recently to promote their family’s health and wellness. With the economic recovery in slow mode, consumers are going “back to basics” to bolster their health, with 7 in 10 or more taking vitamins (84%), eating the recommended fruits and veggies (73%), and choosing organic foods (68%).

These same consumers plan to increase their commitment to health and wellness behaviors including fitness and exercise (64%), getting enough sleep (63%) and eating fruits and veggies (61%). More than 1 in 2 reported adding more “raw” and “whole” foods into their diet (57%), eating organic foods (53%) and meditation and relaxation (52%) would be more important in 2010.

Three in four or more consumers were active in online health and wellness activities using printable online coupons and savings offers (80%) and seeking out health/wellness information online (76%). More than 1 in 2 subscribe to health/wellness E-Newsletters (59%) and belong to social network sites (i.e.,Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Care2) (56%). Consumers identified more health/wellness product coupons (93%) and a wider selection of health/wellness products (62%) as the retailer and natural product company strategies they would find most helpful.

Most (59%) expect to buy more organics in the coming year, albeit cost conscious consumers are seeking ways to make organics more affordable by shopping sales (53%) and using coupons (51%). However, when the choice comes down to buying local or buying organic, consumers are torn. One in three were not sure (28%) what they would choose. Four in ten would opt for local/non-organic (40%), while 1 in 3 would definitely choose organic (32%). Highlighting the importance of locally sourced food, consumers are shifting natural and organic dollars away from local gourmet markets (16%) and discount stores (15%) in favor of farmer’s markets (52%) and local food co-ops (43%).

Coupon usage is high among natural and organic consumers with virtually all (99%) using grocery coupons regularly (77%) or sometimes (18%). Seven in ten consumers indicated that grocery coupons influence their brand buying decisions and use coupons when planning their grocery list. Another 2 in 3 are paying more attention to grocery coupons than in the past and actively seek out grocery coupons online (i.e., search, google, yahoo).

Most (9 in 10) consumers are using a variety of coupon types ranging from in-store coupons (96%), coupons by mail (93%), online printable coupons (90%), to magazine coupons (90%). About 6 in 10 (59%) use coupons added to their store frequent shopper cards, but a slightly higher share (64%) were in interested in these retail shopper coupons. Only 1 in 10 (11%) presently use cell phone/mobile coupons, and fewer than 1 in 6 (17%) were interested in receiving these mobile technology coupons in the future.
Consumers rated produce (69%) as the category most important to purchase organic. Other organic purchasing priorities include milk (54%), meat and poultry (54%), children’s food (53%), cheese and eggs (50%). Respondents were least likely to identify beer and wine, (7%), desserts and snacks (21%) and pet products (23%) as very important to buy organic.

Notably, most survey respondents had already adopted basic “green” habits including recycling (82%), and using energy saving light bulbs (75%), environmentally friendly cleaning products (61%), and energy efficient appliances (52%). Apart from energy efficient light bulbs, those same tools ranked highest in green priority for 2010 along with eco-clothing and “green” restaurants.

ABOUT MAMBO SPROUTS: [http://www.mambosprouts.com] Mambo Sprouts Marketing is a full service health, natural and organic foods and products marketing and promotions company. Through their online, mail and in-store programs, Mambo Sprouts reaches over 2 million proven N&O shoppers quarterly. Mambo offers manufacturers and retailers a complete range of customized programs including: the industry’s first and only natural product co-op mailer featuring an optional custom solo mailing; Mambo Sprouts natural and organic product Messenger newsletter and coupon books distributed quarterly to 385,000 N&O consumers; offline and Web-based market research services; offline and online mail list development; Go Mambo!, Mambo Sprouts’ mobile promotions van that travels throughout target regions distributing product samples and coupons at major events and festivals; Web marketing including natural product instant e-coupons, sample offer promotions, and a monthly targeted health e-newsletter. Mambo Sprouts is based in Collingswood, New Jersey. For more information call (856) 833.1933 or visit www.mambosprouts.com

check out their site for great recipes and Organic Food coupons!

Are you Eating as healthy as you should?

I am all about organic art, but I also eat organic too, that is why my art is 'double organic' you might say. My works are produced with produce, flowers and fruits and herbs that come either from my own backyard or the organic CSA we belong to for half the year. Many say that they can't eat better, or afford organic food, and yes it usually is more expensive, but you are getting health for what you are paying for and not all kinds of other things that come with commercially grown un-organic foods. Things such as pesticides which can cause all kinds of aliments which you do end up paying for in pain, loss of work and doctor visits, medications, etc. Then there are the hormones, vaccinations, genetically engineered seeds, and more. All things to make you unhealthy, so why not try to make some changes today?

I found this great list to get you started. Even if you can't afford to buy (or can't find) all your foods organic, this is a good start. It is a list of the 12 most contaminated produce and the 12 least contaminated. Try to print this out and put it in your wallet so when shopping you can make healthier choices for you and your family.

12 MOST Contaminated Produce Items

Apples
Bell Peppers ( all kinds, green, red, yellow, orange)
Celery
Cherries
Imported Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries

( it is interesting and assuring too that my organic farm has all the above except for the grapes and cherries, plus much more of course, but they are careful to know these are highly contaminated in regular produce).

12 LEAST Contaminated Produce items

Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (Sweet)
Kiwi Fruit
Mangos
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)


You may have noticed there is a commonality in the first list among the items, and then there is a commonality in the second group among those 12. Do you see what it is? I'll give you a chance to go back and read each item in the two groups. Try picturing the fruit or veggie as you do.
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Did you figure out what it is? Look at the first group, All these items have very thin skins, and all are usually eaten with these skins (some do peel their potatoes, but others leave the skins on because there is much nutrition in the skins, but not if it's counteracted with unhealthy pesticides and more! ).

Now look at the second group. Many of these items you have to peel to eat, such as the Avocados, Bananas, Corn, Kiwi, Mangos, onions, Papayas Pineapples and peas need to be shelled, notice oriental pea pods are not included. I am not sure why Asparagus, Broccoli and Cauliflower are on this list which do not have to be peeled, but from experience in growing myself and also getting from the farm I know that these three are pretty much disease and insect resistant and may not require as much spraying as other crops so that may be the reason.

As far as judging other produce and what to buy organic and what is fairly safe to get un-organic, use that rule of thumb about the thickness of the skin and if the item is usually peeled before eating or cooking.

Bon Apetite!

Hey, have you seen Julie and Julia yet? If not I recommend it's worth to buy a ticket and see it on the big screen. You may even find yourself renting or buying the video when it comes out but now, during the summer harvest season when there is so much available fresh, it really is a great movie to inspire some great cooking. I went to see it only a few days after losing Jazz to get me out of the house basically and still was able to enjoy it enough to recommend, so I know that I will be looking to either see it again in the theatre (it is still playing near me) or getting the DVD when it comes out. It's even inspired my non cooking husband to want to try to learn how to cook and that can't be bad! :)

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