At West Pak, an organic avocado is more than just a seal on the outside of the fruit—it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to the environment, sustainability, and quality from seed to plate. Organics is everything that has gone into that avocado, from planting the seed in the ground and nurturing the tree through its productive years, to harvesting, packaging, and distributing the fruit to retailers and consumers across the country.
As we gear up for the OPS Trade Show in July, our Sales team is excited to delve deeper into the flourishing world of organic avocados. This event is the perfect opportunity to showcase our dedication to environmental stewardship. Our state-of-the-art organic packing house and rigorous certification process guarantee the highest quality and sustainable farming practices. At West Pak, we don’t just grow avocados; we cultivate a promise to the planet and our community, reinforcing our leadership in the organic category.
West Pak’s Organics program is more than just a label; it’s a testament to our dedication to growing avocados in harmony with nature. To bear the coveted USDA-certified organic seal, the fruit must be non-GMO (genetically modified organism), and the growing and handling process must not include synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Organic fruit cultivation is in accordance with the high standards of the National Organic Program (NOP), a federal regulatory program that develops and enforces consistent national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the United States.
NOP also accredits third-party organizations to certify that farms and businesses meet the national organic standards. These certifiers and the USDA work together to enforce the standards, ensuring a level playing field for producers and protecting consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal.
One of the standout features of our organic program is our use of recognizable organic certification seals. These logos assure consumers that our avocados meet stringent organic farming standards, free from synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This transparency builds trust and allows consumers to make informed choices, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Because West Pak complies with all organic production and handling requirements, the company can display the following seals:
- Istituto per la Certificazione Etica e Ambientale (ICEA) – authentication in Mexico
- California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) – verification in the United States
- USDA Organic
What’s Happening in Organics
The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rulemaking, which took full effect on March 19, 2024, updates the USDA organic regulations to strengthen oversight of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. The final rule is meant to reduce fraud in the organic marketplace, strengthen oversight of organic producers, handlers, and certifiers, and improve USDA’s enforcement mechanisms.
“West Pak has reinforced its compliance with the National Organic Program regulations from harvesting to shipping,” said West Pak Avocado Quality Control Manager Claudia Sandoval. “We have taken all necessary steps to ensure that our organic products are handled and stored in accordance with the new SOE rule. As an example, we have made sure that our cold storage and distribution centers have obtained an Organic Certificate to mitigate the risk of organic fraud throughout the supply chain.”
Organics by the Numbers
When it comes to the U.S.’s love for organics, the numbers simply don’t lie. According to supermarketnews.com, the certified organic market saw record sales in 2023, with organic produce remaining the largest category, growing 2.6% to $20.5 billion. Organic produce now accounts for more than 15% of total U.S. fruit and vegetable sales, with avocados being top sellers in the space.
Data from Circana, a leading advisor on consumer spending behavior, shows retail organic avocado sales topped $162.4 million in 2022, up 2.8% from 2021. Organic avocados accounted for 6.1% of total retail avocado sales and 2.1% of total organic produce sales.
The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 report shows that higher-income households, those with more children at home, younger consumers, and ethnic minorities more frequently reported purchasing more organic avocados compared with their counterparts. The same report revealed that 25% of households with kids reported purchasing organic avocados, compared with 13% of households without kids. Overall, the report showed that 19% of consumers reported shopping exclusively for organic avocados, with another 28% saying they purchased both organic and conventional avocados.
Organics: Benefits & Perceptions
Consumer awareness about the benefits of organic products has been steadily increasing, driving the demand for organic avocados. Shoppers are becoming more health-conscious and environmentally aware, seeking out produce that aligns with their values. Therefore, it’s no secret that organic avocados have many advantages, including a lower pesticide content. A 2021 report determined that studies have linked pesticide exposure to various diseases, whereas organic food consumption has been associated with positive health outcomes. Organic farming standards prohibit the use of most pesticides. Therefore, organic food consumption may reduce pesticide exposure.
According to the 2024 article: A Comprehensive Analysis of Organic Food: Evaluating Nutritional Value and Impact on Human Health, it was found that organic food contained slightly higher levels of iron, magnesium, and vitamin C. Various health benefits have been associated with higher consumption of organic foods, including a reduction in obesity and body mass index (BMI), improvements in blood nutrient composition as well as reductions in maternal obesity and pregnancy-associated preeclampsia risks. Furthermore, organic food consumption can reduce the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and colorectal cancers.
Many food experts and chefs—not to mention avocado lovers—believe that organic foods tend to taste better and credit the soil care practiced by organic farmers. The thought is that strong soil nourishment leads to well-nourished plants, which in turn yields food with a higher nutritional content and optimal flavor.
However, measuring taste is highly subjective. What it comes down to is what consumers believe. Of the reasons cited in a 2021 study for choosing organic over conventional produce, 19% of people surveyed said organic tastes better, 20% mentioned freshness (which may partially account for the taste), 25% feel they are safer, 33% commented that they are better for the environment, while 38% (the top reason) believe organic avocados are healthier than conventional.
West Pak’s Organics Program
Organic avocados require extra care and handling before they can be brought to market. At West Pak, we work with our growers to ensure they have proper certification and take the necessary steps to meet all requirements. We also pack our organic avocados in our certified NOP packing house, which meets all national standards for U.S. organic production.
Beyond the certification, West Pak avocados are grown with stewardship to the land and the environment in mind. We focus on sustainable farming and adhere to strict standards and regulations around water use, deforestation, and biodiversity protection. West Pak works relentlessly to ensure our nutritious avocados are grown and distributed safely, fairly, and responsibly.
Certified Organics: Look for the Yellow
West Pak meets your consumers’ desire for clean, healthy food by offering an assortment of organic avocados. You’ll know you have organically grown fruit when you see the signature yellow West Pak Avocado packaging. This sunny shade signifies life, energy, and growth and is the perfect color to represent the organic goodness inside. We’re proud to deliver healthy, organic avocados to your stores.
Organics and California Avocado Season
For those interested in learning more about the world of organic avocados, we invite you to connect with West Pak’s Avo Experts. Whether you are a retailer looking to stock the finest organic avocados, including our branded options like California Gold and Lil’ Cados, or a foodservice professional eager to incorporate high-quality, sustainable ingredients into your menu, our team is here to support you. Our experts can provide detailed insights into our organic farming practices, packaging solutions, and the benefits of choosing organic produce.
Your customers’ organic in-store experience starts with West Pak. We offer both bulk and bagged organic avocados for retail, with organic branded bags that can be displayed in stores across the country. With the popularity of the California Avocado season, now is the perfect time to explore the world of organics and elevate your offerings with the best in organic produce.
In addition to highly effective packaging for bagged organic avocados, West Pak’s retail program can help drive more rings at the register with point-of-sale, marketing, sales, and educational materials. Outreach and social media programs help connect regional talent—chefs, nutritionists, or influencers—to create an engaging promotional campaign that appeals to your target demographic.
Let West Pak help you add organics to your avocado category today!
