AgMRC-Developed Materials

• Consumer Trends in Iowa and Greater Des Moines for Natural Foods, 2004 - There is a large and growing demand for natural products within several key urban centers in Iowa. This paper looks at the key demographic characteristics of those customers who are interested in purchasing natural foods.
• Natural Products, 2004 - Analyzes the four principal segments of the natural products industry and projected growth trends.

Other Information

• The Growing Natural Foods Market: Opportunities and Obstacles for Mass Market Supermarkets, University of Minnesota, 2000 - This paper addresses obstacles mass market supermarkets face in the natural foods market and predicts what the natural foods market may look like in the future.
• Literature Review of Consumer Research, Publications, and Marketing Communications Related to Pasture-Raised Animal Products and Production Systems, Iowa State University, Iowa InterFaith Ministries and Midwest Food Alliance - This review focuses on market research and publications from the past ten years to lay the groundwork for consumer message development for pasture-raised animal products.
• Natural Foods: Growth Should Remain Strong, Wall Street Week with FORTUNE, 2001 - An equity analyst provides an industry overview of the natural and organic foods industries.
• Natural, Organic, Functional and Soy Foods are Rising Stars in Supermarkets, Profitwise Bulletin, International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association, 2003 - This issue includes major food trends observed at a natural products show.
• Pasture Raised Products Message and Strategy Consumer Focus Group Study, Food Routes Network/Midwest Collaborators, 2002 - Summary of focus groups held to assist producers in planning marketing efforts for pasture-raised products. Topics covered include: participants’ general food buying habits; issues related to meat, poultry and dairy products; appropriate production terms for use in marketing these products and their benefits; messages for use in marketing these products; and feedback on overall communications and marketing strategies.

 Links checked February 2008.