• 76% of meals are eaten at home, but when dinning out 878,000 restaurants around the country are responding to consumer demand with more and healthier menu options.
• Consumers are asking for special menu options for those watching their calorie, fat, and carb intake. Restaurants are responding to this as well as providing nutritional information and on websites.

Decline of Fruits and Veggies on Dinner Tables

• Overall just 20% of Americans meet the five-a-day minimum.
• Fruit and veggie consumption has declined 14% over the past ten years.
• Obesity levels are lowest among those who have high intakes of fruits and veggies.
• Studies show women (82%) are more likely than men (69%) to fall short of the five-serving minimum.
• Single parent and dual income families with kids eat 10% fewer fruits and veggies than families with stay-at-home parents.
• Convenience is the key factor in modern eating habits.
• Bag salads and greens are among the only vegetables that Americans are eating more of.
• Fewer ingredients are used at dinnertime.

Organics

• Moved to mainstream retailers from it's offbeat beginnings - now sharing valuable shelf space with traditional products.
• Nationally, organic salads are the fastest growing segment within the entire salad category. Sales increased 20% in 2003 while sales for the bagged salad category was up only 9%. Sales for organic packaged salads totaled $151 million in '03. They are now being merchandised next to conventional salads.
• Growers are now beginning to transition their best land into organic production. This represents a significant change in the perception of organics.
• Generally, the organic industry has grown 20-25% each year.
• Within the leafy category, organic spinach is the fastest growing item.
• Usually trends start on the West Coast and move East - it's no different with organics. Organic food and salad development is stronger in the Western region, which leaves much growth potential in the East.
• The organic export market is expected to grow 15 to 20% annually. Sales of organics exports to Japan totaled $11-13 billion. Japan wants carrots, peppers, broccoli, grapes and herbs.
• The UK imports 65% of its organic products, with the highest demand in fresh products.