63% of those under 35 and 64% of those with at least a bachelor’s degree prefer organic

Majority of consumers would choose organic

07/25/2011 1:02:02 PM
Andy Nelson

A majority of Americans pick organically produced foods over conventionally produced when given the choice, according to a new poll.

The Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll found 58% of those surveyed choose organic. The numbers increase among young and well-educated Americans. Sixty-three percent of those under 35 and 64% of those with at least a bachelor’s degree prefer organic.

While more than half of Americans say they prefer organic, just 34% of those polled said the presence of organic foods on a restaurant menu would affect their decision of what to order.

Among the reasons for choosing organic, survey participants cited supporting local growers and health concerns.

Thirty-six percent choose organic to support local farmers markets, 34% to avoid exposure to toxins. Seventeen percent said they chose organic because it’s better for the environment, 13% cited better taste.

Among those who said they pick conventionally grown over organic food if given the choice, 54% cited price as the main reason they pick conventional.

Twenty-one percent of those polled said they choose conventional because it’s more widely available, 13% because it tastes better an 11% because it’s safer than organic.

The poll also asked consumers where they prefer to get their fresh fruits and vegetables.

Forty-three percent prefer farmers markets, 32% supermarkets, 20% their own gardens and 5% co-ops.