Loss of genetic diversity makes the food supply even more vulnerable to pests and disease

Audubon at Home: "A mere 10 to 15 species of plants and 8 species of livestock now account for 90 percent of the world's food production. This loss of genetic diversity makes the food supply even more vulnerable to pests and disease. "

I'm working at better understanding the issue of the organic vs "regular" food supply. This statement hit home for me...What are we as a species doing? Not thinking ahead, that seems painfully obvious!

U.S. organic products retail sales are expected to top $21 billion by 2007

All Things Organic� - North America's Only All Organic Conference and Trade Show:

"U.S. sales of organic food and nonfood products during 2003 totaled approximately $10.8 billion, according to the Organic Trade Association�s 2004 Manufacturer Survey released in May 2004. According to survey results, sales of organic foods were approximately $10.38 billion in 2003, up 20.4 percent from the previous year.


Meanwhile, 'non-food' organic products, such as personal care products, nutritional supplements, organic fiber, household cleaners, flowers and pet food, grew by 19.8 percent, to reach $440 million in sales.

U.S. organic food sales have grown between 17 and 21 percent each year since 1997, to nearly triple in sales, while total U.S. food sales over this time period grew in the range of only 2 to 4 percent a year. According to findings from the Organic Trade Association�s 2004 Manufacturer Survey, organic food sales now represent approximately 2 percent of U.S. food sales.

U.S. organic products retail sales are expected to top $21 billion by 2007, based on growth projections from the Organic Trade Association�s 2004 Manufacturer Survey.

Sixty-six percent of U.S. consumers report they use organic products at least occasionally, according to The Hartman Group�s report, Organic Food & Beverage Trends 2004: Lifestyles, Language and Category Adoption released in August 2004. More than 40 percent of those consumers (or 27 percent of the total population) report using organic products regularly. "