Hannaford achieves organic retailer certification
Hannaford achieves organic retailer certification
Illustrating the company's commitment to providing shoppers with quality organic foods, Hannaford Bros. Co., which operates 159 supermarkets in the Northeast, recently announced that it had completed the rigorous process of becoming a certified organic retailer.
Hannaford is the only traditional supermarket in the Northeast to meet the strict guidelines of Quality Assurance International's Organic Certification Program for Retailers.
QAI is an independent, third-party group that verifies organic quality and integrity for organizations around the world.
"The requirements for obtaining certified organic retailer status are stringent and exacting," Hannaford spokesperson Caren Epstein said in a press release. "It was well worth the effort, however, so our customers can be confident that we uphold the highest organic standards, ensuring the organic integrity of our products."
As part of the announcement, Hannaford said that it has significantly expanded the selection of organic and natural products throughout its stores, driven by increased shopper demand for these products. A recent survey of Hannaford shoppers revealed that nearly 80 percent purchase organic and natural items "at least sometimes" when they shop for groceries.
Hannaford has offered organic and natural products since the early 1980s, when the company opened its first natural foods section. The chain currently offers more than 3,500 organic and natural products, representing approximately 10 percent of the 36,000 products available in a typical Hannaford store. Among Hannaford's selection of 3,500 organic and natural products, 40 percent are organic, including more than 160 organic produce items.
The purchase of organic and natural products has grown dramatically in recent years. According to the Organic Trade Association, the organic foods industry grew 16.2 percent in 2005, accounting for $13.8 billion in consumer sales. The OTA predicts organic food sales will grow 11 percent annually through 2010. This growth is driven by a number of factors, with consumer interest in fresh foods that are environmentally friendly a key reason.
"Interest in organic and natural products among our shoppers continues to grow," Ms. Epstein said in the press release. "We're pleased to offer something for everyone, from shoppers interested in trying organic and natural foods for the first time to long-time consumers of these products."
She added, "Our shoppers have told us definitively they want a greater selection of organic and natural products. Sales of these items in Hannaford stores increased more than 20 percent last year. We're committed to helping our shoppers support a lifestyle choice by providing them with tremendous quality and variety of organic and natural products throughout the store -- at a great value."
Hannaford launched its "Nature's Place" private-label brand of organic and natural products in 2001. In May, the company introduced 120 new products, bringing to 180 the total number of "Nature's Place" brand products, with 75 percent carrying the U.S. Department of Agriculture certified organic mark.
Press reports indicate that achieving the certified organic status for the chain's entire operation costs approximately $500,000 annually in inspection costs and other related expenditures.
Hannaford is the only traditional supermarket in the Northeast to meet the strict guidelines of Quality Assurance International's Organic Certification Program for Retailers.
QAI is an independent, third-party group that verifies organic quality and integrity for organizations around the world.
"The requirements for obtaining certified organic retailer status are stringent and exacting," Hannaford spokesperson Caren Epstein said in a press release. "It was well worth the effort, however, so our customers can be confident that we uphold the highest organic standards, ensuring the organic integrity of our products."
As part of the announcement, Hannaford said that it has significantly expanded the selection of organic and natural products throughout its stores, driven by increased shopper demand for these products. A recent survey of Hannaford shoppers revealed that nearly 80 percent purchase organic and natural items "at least sometimes" when they shop for groceries.
Hannaford has offered organic and natural products since the early 1980s, when the company opened its first natural foods section. The chain currently offers more than 3,500 organic and natural products, representing approximately 10 percent of the 36,000 products available in a typical Hannaford store. Among Hannaford's selection of 3,500 organic and natural products, 40 percent are organic, including more than 160 organic produce items.
The purchase of organic and natural products has grown dramatically in recent years. According to the Organic Trade Association, the organic foods industry grew 16.2 percent in 2005, accounting for $13.8 billion in consumer sales. The OTA predicts organic food sales will grow 11 percent annually through 2010. This growth is driven by a number of factors, with consumer interest in fresh foods that are environmentally friendly a key reason.
"Interest in organic and natural products among our shoppers continues to grow," Ms. Epstein said in the press release. "We're pleased to offer something for everyone, from shoppers interested in trying organic and natural foods for the first time to long-time consumers of these products."
She added, "Our shoppers have told us definitively they want a greater selection of organic and natural products. Sales of these items in Hannaford stores increased more than 20 percent last year. We're committed to helping our shoppers support a lifestyle choice by providing them with tremendous quality and variety of organic and natural products throughout the store -- at a great value."
Hannaford launched its "Nature's Place" private-label brand of organic and natural products in 2001. In May, the company introduced 120 new products, bringing to 180 the total number of "Nature's Place" brand products, with 75 percent carrying the U.S. Department of Agriculture certified organic mark.
Press reports indicate that achieving the certified organic status for the chain's entire operation costs approximately $500,000 annually in inspection costs and other related expenditures.
