New Hope Network’s Post

Oolie’s third #EarthDay is a good time to clear up some misconceptions about the term “organic.” Are products labeled as “organic” actually organic? (Sometimes.) What does “organic” mean, anyway? (It depends!) And how can you trust a brand that claims to be organic?   We share why you can trust us — or, really, why you don’t have to trust us — in today’s blog post: 3 Truths and Lies About Organic Products https://lnkd.in/gRmWuYfH

#Marketing Thought of the Week: "But is it organic?" Food labels really interest me from a marketing perspective. Terms like "natural" have become ubiquitous, often completely losing their meaning. Yet, they still make a difference. Why? 🥯 Take "gluten-free" as an example: it’s proudly advertised on products that never contained gluten to begin with, like bottled water or potato chips. 💫 Some people call this the "health halo." I call it the Baseline Signal. Why is this happening? It’s a fascinating case of signaling. 🥤 A real-world example is Coca-Cola's "natural flavors" in its sparkling water brand, AHA. It signals a health-conscious positioning that aligns with consumer expectations. The label alone doesn’t persuade; it simply keeps Coca-Cola in the game against competitors like LaCroix. 💡 The marketing insight? Rise above the noise by making bold, specific, and credible claims that cut through the confusion. 🐄 Take Beyond Meat: it stands out by naming exact environmental benefits, like "uses 97% less water," instead of relying on generic "sustainability" language. 👉 Use this in your organization: understand what’s become a baseline expectation in your industry, then identify a unique, actionable claim to signal your distinct value. In the pic 👇: "Naturally flavored + other natural flavors"???

Organic Growth: From Farm Fresh to a Healthier Digital World In a world where “organic” is the latest buzzword, let’s explore how agriculture and digital marketing are sprouting side by side—cultivating healthy practices while battling some pretty fake ones. Fresh vs. Faux Organic Farming: Think of local farmers growing sun-kissed tomatoes and crunchy carrots, all without synthetic fertilizers. They’re the real MVPs of the produce aisle, proving that quality matters. Now, they’re the leading brands, showing us that authenticity beats hype every time. Digital Marketing: Meanwhile, digital marketers are working their magic to create engaging content instead of bombarding us with ads. They aim for organic reach, seeking real connections—not just clicks that leave us scratching our heads. The Unhealthy Digital Landscape But here’s the kicker: We’re shelling out big bucks for “organic” produce, while the digital realm plays its own tricks. Google’s been manipulating search algorithms for profit, turning our quest for organic content into a game of “Who Can Pay More for Ads?” It’s like spending extra for organic lettuce only to find it’s just a glorified head of iceberg! The Reality Check At the end of the day, money can buy influence, but it can't buy authenticity. We’re all competing for attention in a crowded market, often fighting over nothing more than shiny labels and hollow promises. Conclusion So, next time you bite into an organic apple or read a captivating article (that doesn’t feel like it was churned out by a robot), remember: let’s nurture what’s truly organic and strive for a healthier digital landscape. The leading brands will always be those that keep it real—no fake hype allowed! Hashtags #OrganicGrowth #DigitalMarketing #AuthenticityMatters #LeadingBrands #Sustainability #HealthyCompetition #Greenwashing #SEO #ContentMarketing #RealTalk #KeepItReal

The consumer doesn’t want what you make. That’s hard to understand. Because you solve a problem. You know it’s very important. The customer needs what you make. But they don’t know it. So you set about educating them. But it seems the more you teach, the more you spend, the less they know. Here’s an example: This happened to the organic food movement. “Organic farming” as a term has been around for almost a hundred years. It’s better in almost every way. Better for our cellular health. Better for the soil. Better for shipping and distribution. Better for our local ecosystems. And yet it is almost impossible to get people to switch. After 70+ years of marketing, only 30% of Americans buy organic. An entire industry has been trying to convert the mainstream conventional consumer. But they won’t budge. Because consumers aren’t focused on quality. It turns out, most consumers will settle for far less quality. They just require one thing. It must be considerably cheaper. The focus is on price, not value. Now we are 100 years in, and we are seeing the results. America is quite literally the most unhealthy country in the world. Now that the chickens have come home to roost, we want change. But my question is this: How do we create a culture where we don’t allow this to happen? How do we become radically better consumers? A culture that is skeptical and inquisitive. A culture that listens to wisdom over sensationalism. A culture that thinks things through before executing. A culture of experts. This is the world I want to create and be a part of. I think one answer is to build better products and services and companies. Ones that take responsibility for their platform. Instead of just using their platform to be a money harvesting tool. Another is to build better families and communities. What do you think? How do we create a better consumer culture?

Struggling to prove your products are genuinely organic? Join the club! 🎉 But fear not, fellow "truth-in-advertising" warriors! With the right validation, you too can shine like a star in the oh-so-trustworthy organic market! ⭐️ Key insights for aspiring organic moguls: Slap enough stickers on it, and it becomes true! 🏷️ Nothing says "authentic" like a certificate you paid for 📜 Watch competitors turn green with envy (organically, of course) 🥬 Who else is riding this totally-not-overused organic bandwagon? 🚂 Drop a "🥕" if you're part of the "100% Natural*" club! 🌟 Pro Tip: Lost in the organic labyrinth? GreenSignature will help you navigate this totally transparent and not-at-all-confusing world! Because who doesn't need more green in their life (and marketing budget)? 💚💲 Contact us at GreenSignature - where we turn your products organic faster than you can say "GMO-free"! #SDG #GreenSignature #ESGCertification #BusinessCertification #ESG #Sustainability

Big changes are coming to the UK Organic industry, and you are invited to join! UK Organic (formally the OTB) will be live streaming their first conference on 14th March between 11am and 2pm, where you can find out more about the new strategic vision. #proudtobeorganic #IGrowYourFood #IFOAMorganicseurope #regenerativefarming #ofgorganic #sustainability #agriculturebiologique #health #sustainablefarming #organicfarming #organic #organicfood #organiclife #organictradeboard #organicresearchcentre #biodynamic #sustainabledevelopment #farmingforthefuture

In a world where inflationary pressures cast a broad shadow, Daylesford Organic, a pillar of premium quality under Lady Bamford’s stewardship, faces challenging times. The prestigious farm shop has posted a significant £3.6 million loss, marking a drastic departure from its pandemic-era success. This downturn raises several pivotal questions pertinent to the future of luxury organic markets and consumer trends beyond the pandemic. 🔍 **Economic Realities vs. Consumer Behavior** - The stark losses highlight a possible shift in consumer choices. In the face of rising living costs, even loyal customers may now favor affordability over premium, organic products. - Engaging these financial barriers directly, Daylesford’s results prompt a larger conversation about the balance of maintaining product quality while appealing to a broader market. 🌟 **Navigating the Premium Market Post-Pandemic** - The Covid period saw a surge in demand for Daylesford's offerings as consumers leaned towards supporting organic and local businesses. Yet, the post-pandemic world presents a different economic terrain that requires agile adaptation. - Both risk and opportunity lie ahead; crafting a resilient strategy will be key to weathering this financial storm and aligning with evolving market dynamics. 📊 **Strategy and Innovation Required** - To rebound, Daylesford Organic might consider diversified product lines or tiered pricing strategies. Enhanced customer engagement through loyalty programs or educational campaigns can stimulate demand, even in tighter economic conditions. - Corporate responsibility and sustainable practices remain central. Firms that strengthen their community ties and reinforce their environmental commitments can gain traction even amidst adversity. 🏆 **Long-term Resilience and Return to Growth** - With informed strategic pivots and renewed focus on core values, Daylesford Organic stands at a critical juncture where adaptability will redefine its journey from loss back into prosperity. This scenario isn't just about financial numbers but reimagining pathways to success and echoing sustainable growth. Organizations should keep a close watch on how Daylesford navigates these waters for broad lessons applicable across industries. We stand on the cusp of a significant learning period – where overcoming challenges becomes the bedrock of innovation and resilience. Read more: [Lady Bamford’s Daylesford Organic Faces Mounting Losses](https://lnkd.in/dqh58MuQ)

Photo credit: Matt Ryan/Sandra Wayman Editor’s Note: This blog post is a guest post authored by Gordon Merrick, Senior Policy and Programs Manager at the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Mark Schonbeck, Research Associate, also at OFRF, which is an NSAC member. The world is increasingly recognizing the value of sustainable food systems, and organic agriculture plays a vital role in this movement. Organic practices enhance soil health and biodiversity, foster resource regeneration, and help mitigate and build resilience to climate change. This translates to healthier food and a healthier environment and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.  However, recent budget proposals by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggest a concerning decrease in funding for organic research programs. If implemented, this shift could stifle the progress documented by these programs, hindering the growth and innovation of the organic sector at a critical juncture. For the FY25 budget, NIFA is suggested a $3.5 million, or a nearly 50% budget decrease, for the Organic Transitions Research Program (ORG), justifying it through the need to transfer organic research funding into broader programs like the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Yet, a closer look reveals a gap exists between stated intentions, even congressional direction, and reality. This analysis found that AFRI has historically funded low levels of organic research, while the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) has been erratic in supporting organic research projects. Both programs have a sustained trend of funding fewer and fewer organic research projects.  On the other hand, analysis of past funding allocations through dedicated organic agriculture programs reveals a wealth of cutting-edge research and innovative outreach that can support organic, transitioning, and conventional producers in succeeding. Nonetheless, there are also persistent knowledge gaps regarding specific needs and challenges that organic producers face that must be addressed. A Flourishing Landscape of Organic Research at Risk A review conducted by our organization, the Organic Farming Research Foundation, revealed a flourishing landscape of existing USDA-funded research and outreach with significant value to organic agriculture. We examined projects funded between 2015 and 2021 through the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and the ORG. These programs stand as testaments to the power of dedicated research in propelling the organic sector forward, reinforcing that this is no time to stop growing or even suggest reducing their impact. They offer valuable resources and practical solutions for organic and transitioning producers, as well as conventional producers interested in ecologically and economically sound practices. These programs work together synergistically to build the