Organic Produce Prospers On U.S. East, West Coasts

America’s heartland – the vast Midwest – is apparently the only dead spot in the otherwise prosperous organic produce industry. East Coast growers are flourishing and Northern California’s organic growers are doing well, with some posting double-digit annual growth as high as 20 percent. According to the Organic Trade Association, the slack economy hasn’t dampened the overall growth rate: organic sales increased 5.1 percent in 2009 and now account for more than 11 percent of nationwide produce sales. Berries and bananas are driving growth, according to the OTA. Year-on-year sales of Chiquita organic bananas rose more than 25 percent, the company says. Industry observers cite public concern for health issues, increased interest in local and sustainable agriculture and less inclination to spend money on expensive electronic gadgets as reasons for organic prosperity.