Walmart: Organic Food on a Budget

Apr 14, 2014

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Walmart is getting into the business of organics – offering a new line of organic food products.

Its pitch to consumers – “while you may not think of Walmart as a destination for organic groceries, we are.”

According to the company’s internal research, it found that about 91 per cent of consumers said they would buy organic food products, if it was “affordable”. Walmart knows that one of the biggest hurdles with organic food and food products is finding a price point that’s accessible to the average consumer. It claims that its new organic brand, Wild Oats will be affordable.

The grocery store giant says it’s rolling out about 100 different organic food items, including pasta sauces, chicken broth and beans, adding that it already offers other organic grocery items, including dairy products and packaged goods. The rollout began in April.

“We estimate customers who purchase organic items at Walmart can save nearly 25% or more on their grocery bill when compared to other organic products on our shelves,” the company said in its April 9, 2014 blog.

The company mentions that its organic line isn’t about “an endorsement of certain foods” but rather it’s about providing more choice to its shoppers. It should be noted that the organic line will be made available in U.S. stores.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.