Children Dancing in Scotland (photo courtesy of Library of Congress, c. 1900?)

The desire for organically produced food in the U.S. and overseas is looking like an unstoppable trend. This year Americans will spend about $20 billion on organic fare. In 2006, a survey by Whole Foods Market found that 65% of Americans have tried organic foods and beverages; an 11% increase from the previous year. People who eat organic do it for more than just taste. The survey found the top 3 reasons Americans buy organic food are 1) To avoid pesticides 2) To gain freshness and 3) To get more healthy.

Now there's a report in the Business section of Scotland.com saying that a booming organic food industry is contributing more than $250 billion annually to the Scottish economy. Charlie Cornelius, owner of Scotland's Iglu bar and restaurant, says the demand for his organic food has forced him to look at doubling the size of his popular eatery. Scottish farmers are now producing enough to meet 70% of the demand for local organic food. That's double the level of 5 years ago. Even American food writer and local food advocate Michael Pollan has served his dinner guests organic salmon farmed in Scotland.

The report in Scotland.com quotes Hugh Raven, Director of Soil Association Scotland, as saying,

Organic is becoming even more mainstream now than it was a year or 18 months ago. Then, Morrisons (Supermarket) wouldn't have seen organic growth as an important part of their business plan.

The level of interest in food and diet has gone off the scale. Increasing media messages to do with food health is a factor, as are TV programmes, but it's also to do with the fact we've had a period of sustained economic growth in the UK and people are feeling better off and are starting to think about where their food comes from.