Current Issues in Organic Food: United States

Abstract

In this chapter, we look at the current issues surrounding organic food in the United States. We first look at production issues such as profit, yield, crop insurance, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), input availability, market information, number and size of organic farms, and development pressures. We then look at distribution and marketing issues such as the definition of organic, market growth, supply chain infrastructure, integrity of organic products within the food distribution system, consumer trust, and potential demand for organic food. In section 4, we look at current policy and trade issues such as organic certification rules and standards, the need to educate consumers on the meaning of those rules and standards, the impacts of federal farm policy, subsidization of organic farming practices within federal farm policy and crop insurance programs, and global trade in organic products. In the last section, I briefly discuss the critical need for the future research focused on production and marketing problems and opportunities specific to organic food especially pest control, risk management tools for organic farmers, supply chain for organic products, consumers' understanding of the certified organic label, and the ability of organic production to meet food needs.