The impact organic food has on our economy

TOOWOOMBA families are early adopters to organic food, according to one leading organic grocer.

TOOWOOMBA families are early adopters to organic food, according to one leading organic grocer.

Susan Curtain has run the Organic Food Market on Neil St for six years.

"I would have to say I think Toowoomba is quite advanced when it comes to supporting organics," she said.

"I had a lot to do with the industry in Atherton, Cairns and Townsville and in Townsville, which is about the same size as Toowoomba, it didn't really support stores that well.

"Here in Toowoomba, everyone has done a good job to support us, as well as Mr Organics and what was once Wray's Organic."

Ms Curtain's comments come as a new study released this week showed eight million Australian households spent $2.4 billion on organic products last year.

The Australian Organic Market Report 2018 found six in 10 Aussie households now buy organic products in any given year.

"We have got busier from when I bought the shop, but that's reflected in the increased spend by our customers, instead of absolute change in numbers," she said.

"We moved to a new store last November, so we have been busier."

"Our personal experience is that organics is poking along steadily.

"There is more growth in people being aware of food choices, that doesn't necessary mean organic, that could things such as gluten-free products."

Originally published as The impact organic food has on our economy