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For: Immediate Release February 1, 1998
Contacts: Dar Veverka (410) 366-VEGE
Debra Wasserman (410) 366-8343



SUPERMARKET SURVEY
NATURAL FOODS IN SUPERMARKETS

What natural foods are now being carried by supermarkets? Are grocery stores providing more health food items?

Only a few years ago, the average supermarket probably would have sent a customer searching for a veggie burger to a natural foods store a couple of miles down the road. But now the veggie burger business, as well as the market for vegetarian items like tofu, soymilk, and organic produce, is booming.

The Vegetarian Resource Group recently surveyed a number of major supermarket chains to see if they carry certain vegetarian foods and organic produce. Twelve chains answered, representing 1,800 stores. VRG did a similar survey two years ago.

Supermarkets are responding to an increased demand for healthy, vegetarian products. Every major supermarket surveyed reported carrying veggie burgers and tofu. Just two years ago a similar survey conducted by The Vegetarian Resource Group showed that supermarkets were just beginning to carry veggie burgers in large quantities. A number of markets at that time said that the general public was more interested in buying tofu.

Non-dairy milk products such as soy milk or rice milk are available at 67% of surveyed markets. Veggie hot dogs now sell at 42% of the chains as compared to 9% of the chains surveyed two years ago.

The most growing demand for natural foods may be in the area of organic produce. Every supermarket reported carrying it in at least some of their stores. For example, Grand Union boasts 70 different varieties of organic produce.

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization that educates the public about vegetarianism. One of its publications includes Conveniently Vegan, which teaches consumers how to use all the new natural foods products found in stores today. With 150 recipes learn how to turn packaged foods into delicious vegetarian dishes. Explore creative ideas for old favorites like "Hot Dogs' and Beans, Potato Salad, Lasagna, and Chocolate Pie. Or discover how to use natural foods products in dishes such as Mexican Noodle Casserole, Tofu Cutlets, Korean Barbecued Seitan, or Spicy Mandarin Chickpeas.

To order the 208-page Conveniently Vegan, send $15 to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203. Or call (410) 366-8343. E-mail to [email protected] or order directly from this web site.

This press release was converted to HTML by Stephanie Schueler.



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Last Updated
February 3, 1998

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