Organic Alliance Comments on Recent Organic Trade Association Study that indicated that Eight in ten U.S. parents report they purchase organic products, Trust in the USDA Organic seal reaches an all-time high among organic buyers

SALINAS, Calif., April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB - ORGC), a global grower and marketer of fresh, organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables, today commented on the newly released 2013 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study, conducted Jan. 18-24, 2013 by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The title of the study was 'Eight in Ten U.S. Parents Report they Purchase Organic Products Trust in the USDA Organic Seal Reaches an all-time High among Organic Buyers.

According to Chris White, Chief Development Officer of Organic Alliance, Inc., "OTA's study confirms what we're seeing in the Organic produce market---demand continues building steadily for a variety of fresh Organic products. The mainstream consumer is now getting engaged, which means real growth in organic product sales is just getting started. As demand grows, Organic Alliance, Inc. is serving our supermarket clients and consumers by developing new organic production, alleviating supply constraints and keeping prices in check with integrated supply chains. For example, the 150 acres of Mexican organic mango orchards that we leased and certified organic in February are now providing new organic supply to a number of top-tier U.S. retailers in the Organic Alliance brand. Other projects being developed currently will relieve supply constraints for our clients in additional fresh produce categories."

According to the study, U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products in a wide range of categories, with 81 percent now reporting they purchase organic at least sometimes. This finding is one of many contained in the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) newly released 2013 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study, conducted Jan. 18-24, 2013.

"More and more parents choose organic foods primarily because of their desire to provide healthful options for their children," said Christine Bushway, OTA's CEO and Executive Director.

Not only are more consumers choosing organic products at least sometimes, but the majority of those buying organic foods are purchasing more items than a year earlier. New entrants to buying organic now represent 41 percent of all families – demonstrating interest in the benefits of organic food and farming is on the rise.

Produce continues to be the leading category of organic purchases, with 97 percent of organic buyers saying they had purchased organic fruits or vegetables in the past six months. Breads and grains, dairy and packaged foods were also frequently cited (all scoring above 85 percent) among those who purchase organic. Families choosing organic foods are increasingly important to retailers of all types, with organic buyers reporting spending more per shopping trip, and shopping more frequently than those who never purchase organic food.

Consistent with findings from previous studies, nearly half (48 percent) of those who purchase organic foods said they do so because they are "healthier for me and my children." Additionally, parents' desire to avoid toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers (30 percent), antibiotics and growth hormones (29 percent), and genetically modified organisms (22 percent) ranked high among the reasons cited for buying organic products.

Awareness of the USDA Organic seal has also grown, with more consumers more likely to look for the seal when shopping for organic products. Moreover, over four in ten parents (42 percent) say their trust in organic products has increased, versus 32 percent who indicated this point of view a year ago. In fact, younger, new-to-organic parents are significantly more likely to report improved levels of trust in organic products.

"Consumer trust is on the upswing for organic as the gold standard when seeking to avoid toxic and persistent pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetically engineered ingredients, and additives," Bushway added.

Study findings, gathered in partnership with KIWI Magazine, are based on responses from 1,239 U.S. households about their attitudes and behaviors related to organic foods. The report provides in-depth information about organic consumers' demographics, purchase motivation, labeling comprehension, shopping patterns, and more.

The 2013 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study is available for purchase.
Among the other topics in the report:

• Profile of organic buyers
• Trends in organic purchasing habits
• Attitudes about organic, natural and buying local
• Media habits of buyers and non-buyers.

About The Organic Trade Association (OTA)
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

About Organic Alliance (ORGC)
Organic Alliance, Inc. is a global grower and marketer of organic, Fair Trade and conventional fresh food products. By establishing collaborative relationships with key growers, Organic Alliance has built a vertically integrated supply chain through an alliance of growers that enables it to support its customers with an increasing variety of certified sustainable products, sensible pricing, steady supply and inspiring multi-media stories from our many producing communities. For more information, visit: www.organicallianceinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by our management. Actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements could differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including future economic, competitive, regulatory, and market conditions, future business decisions, changes in the supply and demand of the products we sell, our relationships with our existing suppliers, our success in finding additional supply sources, our ability to attract and retain customers, and the risks and other factors discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2011 or in the other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in such forward-looking statements, they should not be regarded as a representation that our objectives or plans will be achieved, and they should not be relied upon by investors when making an investment decision. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "forecasts, "foresees," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Similarly, statements in this release that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals are forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made except as required by law.

Contact:
Investors
Tony Schor
Investor Awareness, Inc.
7847.945.2222 ext.221
[email protected]

Company
Parker Booth
President & Chief Executive Officer
831.240.0295
www.organicallianceinc.com

SOURCE Organic Alliance, Inc.