Edibles Keep Growing
Did you know that approximately 60 million Americans are now growing edibles in their gardens, on their patios, decks and kitchen window sills?
According to a new study from the market research firm Packaged Facts, in 2014, 44 percent of ALL outdoor gardeners said they are now growing their own herbs, fruits and vegetables.
About one-third of those gardeners said they were growing their own edibles to take advantage of the nutritional benefits that garden-fresh vegetables and fruit have to offer.
Twenty-seven percent said they grew their own vegetables and fruit to save money over store-bought products and approximately 20 percent said they wanted to have some control over their food supply due to concerns such as genetically modified products.
Many consumers also are turning to their own gardens so they can be less impactful on the environment by using less water, fertilizers and pesticides.
These findings come from Packaged Facts’ latest study, Lawn and Garden Supplies in the U.S., that quantifies the total retail sales of growth media, fertilizers, grass seed and pesticides — but not plant material.
In 2014, U.S. sales of growth media, fertilizers, grass seed and pesticides totaled $5.7 billion. That number is expected to grow to $6.6 billion by 2019. The edibles category is expected to help drive a major portion of this growth.
The analysts at Packaged Facts say this increase is highly dependent on the continued rebound of the housing market and the steady formation of new households in the United States. Weather conditions could also play a role in the future sales of these products.
Has your company been taking advantage of the rise in popularity of the edibles category in recent years? What are your plans for the future when it comes to edibles?
Drop me a line at thodson@greatamericanpublish.com and let me know.
Click here if you would like to learn more about Packaged Facts and its study on Lawn and Garden Supplies in the U.S.
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