Steve Hoffman 5/6/26 Steve Hoffman 5/6/26

Seedsman Spotlights a New Era of Cultivation Rooted in Knowledge, Craft, and Community

As interest in horticulture, plant genetics, sustainability and self-sufficiency grows, Seedsman highlights modern homegrown cultivation as a meaningful, knowledge-building practice.

BARCELONA, Spain (May 5, 2026) —Seedsman, a global pioneer in cannabis genetics and one of the industry’s most trusted seed retailers, is spotlighting a powerful cultural shift: the rise of modern home cultivation. As more people turn toward gardening and plant care, a new generation of growers is rediscovering cultivation not simply as a means to an end, but as a deeply rewarding, skill-building, and confidence-driving practice.

This growing movement reflects a broader return to horticulture—one rooted in curiosity, craftsmanship, and a desire for more hands-on, meaningful experiences. Across demographics, individuals are embracing DIY growing culture as a way to reconnect with nature, develop new skills, and gain a sense of autonomy in an increasingly fast-paced, digital world.

A New Era of Horticulture and Home Growing
Modern cultivation is being shaped by a convergence of factors: increased access to high-quality genetics, the democratization of grower knowledge, and a cultural shift toward self-sufficiency, sustainability, home-grown produce, and intentional living. Today’s growers are more informed, more experimental, and more engaged than ever before.

Rather than viewing cultivation solely through the lens of output, growers are embracing the full lifecycle of the plant as a process of learning and refinement. From understanding plant genetics and environmental variables to honing organic and other gardening techniques over time, cultivation is becoming a practice that builds technical knowledge, personal confidence, and a deep sense of satisfaction.

“Growing today is about much more than the final result,” said Tom Raikes, founder and CEO of Seedsman and the recently launched Seedsman Community, where growers can interact, network, and learn from each other. “It’s about learning, adapting, and developing a relationship with the plant and other like-minded growers. That process builds knowledge, patience, community, and confidence in a way few other activities can.”

Cultivation as Craft, Knowledge, and Confidence
At the center of this movement is a renewed appreciation for grower craft. Cultivators are increasingly drawn to the nuances of plant genetics, experimenting with different strains and refining their techniques to better understand how plants respond to their care.

This hands-on engagement fosters a deeper connection to both the plant and the process. Growers are not only producing something tangible, but also developing skills that translate into greater self-reliance and a stronger sense of capability.

The rise of modern home cultivation also reflects a desire for more grounded, analog experiences—where time, attention, and care produce visible progress. In this way, cultivation offers a powerful counterbalance to the fragmented nature of modern life.

Enrich Life: Supporting the Modern Grower
Seedsman’s evolving Enrich Life platform reflects and supports this cultural shift. Originally introduced alongside the launch of the Seedsman Community, the platform positions the company as more than a seed retailer—expanding its role into a broader, horticulture-led cultivation brand and resource center focused on knowledge, craft, confidence, and community.

Through Enrich Life, Seedsman is committed to helping growers at every stage deepen their understanding of plant genetics, improve their skills, and connect with a global network of cultivators. The Seedsman Community serves as a living extension of this philosophy, offering grow journals, shared insights, and peer-to-peer exchange that reinforces the idea that cultivation is both an individual and a collective journey.

“We’re seeing a meaningful shift toward growing as a practice that enriches people’s lives in multiple ways,” Raikes added. “Our role is to support that journey—through better genetics, better information, and building a stronger sense of community among growers.”

In this new era, growing is no longer just a hobby or a transaction—it is a practice, one that builds knowledge, sharpens skill, and strengthens confidence over time. As home cultivation continues to expand, Seedsman sees this as part of a larger return to horticulture, where growing becomes not just something people do, but something that meaningfully shapes how they live.

For more information, visit Seedsman.com. Join the Seedsman Community here.

About Seedsman
Seedsman is a global leader in cannabis genetics and seed distribution, founded in 2002 with a mission to preserve, protect, and advance the cannabis gene pool. For more than 20 years, Seedsman has served growers worldwide with one of the industry’s most diverse libraries of authentic genetics, including heirloom, landrace, and breeder-developed strains. Through its Enrich Life philosophy, Seedsman is expanding its heritage into a comprehensive home for horticulture, cultivation culture, and grower education. To learn more visit www.seedsman.com and join the Seedsman Community. Follow Seedsman on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Reddit.

Media Contact: Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 5/5/26 Steve Hoffman 5/5/26

How Consumer Values, Inflation and ‘MAHA’ Are Reshaping the Natural & Organic Landscape

This article first appeared in the May 2026 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

In our recent analysis, Organic Outpaces the Market: Global Sales Hit Record Highs as U.S. Crosses $76B, we highlighted a defining economic reality of the 2025-2026 marketplace: Organic food is no longer a niche preference, but a primary economic driver. But the raw sales data tells only half the story. As a “bookend” to that financial milestone, we must dive deeper into the complex, often contradictory psychology of today’s natural and organic consumer.

Food industry thought leader Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth, once famously noted,”We are not allergic to food. We are allergic to what has been done to it.” That sentiment has never been more relevant than it is today. Consumers are deeply engaged with how their food is grown, processed, and regulated. Yet, they are also navigating an unprecedented maze of economic pressures, political crossfires, confusing sustainability claims, and loud social media detractors.

To chart a successful path forward, natural products brands, retailers, and investors must intimately understand the shifting demographic attitudes toward organic food, regenerative agriculture, pricing, and the policies governing our plates.

The K-Shaped Economy: Valuing the Price of Organic Amidst Inflation
Food inflation and the resulting price elasticity of consumer goods have been the central plotlines of the grocery sector over the last few years. How are food prices affecting the natural and organic products consumer? The reality is nuanced.

According to recent analysis by CoBank, consumers are exploring a range of approaches to handle double-digit cost increases. Looking at the specialty coffee and beverage sector as a bellwether, consumer price index (CPI) data showed coffee prices jumping 18.3% year-over-year in early 2026, leading to a noticeable shift in consumer behaviors, including a retreat to do-it-yourself, at-home preparation.

When it comes to organic goods, consumers are highly sensitive to the premium, yet they continue to buy. CoBank points out that in our increasingly “K-shaped economy”—where the top 10% of wealthy Americans account for roughly half of all consumer spending—the high base price of organic products risks limiting its ultimate audience to higher-income brackets. Recent LendingTree research cited by CoBank notes that organic produce commands a 52.6% price premium over conventional counterparts.

However, despite this premium, organic sales are not stalling; they are growing at 6.8%, double the 3.4% rate of the broader marketplace. Produce remains the undisputed gateway, accounting for 30% of the nation's total organic sales ($22.7 billion).

Consumers view organic produce as an affordable, high-return entry point into health and wellness. They may balk at a $9 organic specialty beverage, but they will readily pay an extra dollar for organic berries or bananas to avoid synthetic pesticides. For the industry to maintain its momentum and avoid being boxed into an elite, high-income corner, the expansion of competitively priced organic private labels, focusing on supply chain efficiencies and economies of scale, and adopting more collaborative partnerships with co-packers and others to cut production costs will be critical.

Deciphering Purchasing Decisions: Safety, Price, and Demographic Heterogeneity
So, just how important is the organic label when a consumer is standing in the grocery aisle making a split-second purchasing decision?

According to the brand-new Consumer Perception of USDA Organic Report released in March 2026 by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Euromonitor, organic continues to hold a distinct edge over competing label claims like “natural,” “non-GMO,” and “raised without antibiotics.” As the OTA’s newly launched April 2026 Organic Starts with You campaign underscores, the USDA Organic seal remains the clearest, most credible signal for consumers seeking trust in a crowded marketplace.

Also, a 2026 Best-Worst Scaling study published in Q Open examining U.S. rice consumers provides critical insights into the modern shopper's mindset. The study reveals that across the board, food safety and price remain the most influential factors in purchasing decisions. But beneath those universal priorities lies profound demographic heterogeneity, which researchers divided into four distinct consumer segments: conventional, pragmatic, sustainability-conscious, and low-engagement.

Conventional: Older demographics tend to focus predominantly on price and domestic origin, showing less willingness to pay a premium for ecological farming methods.
Pragmatic: This is arguably the most vital group for marketers to understand. Comprising younger and educated consumers, the “pragmatic” shopper is highly interested in sustainability and regenerative agriculture—but they exhibit deep skepticism toward traditional “organic” marketing claims.
Sustainability-Conscious: This segment, heavily skewing toward younger, highly educated, and higher-income consumers, strongly prefers organic and regenerative attributes. For them, the organic seal is a non-negotiable baseline for environmental stewardship and personal health.
Low Engagement: This consumer shows little to no interest in organic attributes.

The pragmatic segment highlights a growing challenge: The younger cohort is deeply invested in the idea of sustainable food, but they are scrutinizing the validity of certifications. They want the benefits of organic—clean soil, no pesticides, biodiversity—but they are increasingly vulnerable to alternative claims like "regenerative," even when those alternative labels lack strict regulatory definitions.

At the same time, conventional and low-engagement consumers may require accessible education to build awareness and trust in non-conventional farming practices. Additionally, the overlap between regenerative and organic preferences underscores the need for standardized labeling and consistent communication to help consumers meaningfully differentiate between these production systems.

Meeting Increased Demand for “Clean Label” Products
Despite the skepticism of some pragmatic shoppers, the broader consumer base intrinsically links the organic seal to the “clean label” movement. According to breaking data from SPINS’ 2026 Trend Predictions, the clean-label and Non-UPF (non-ultra-processed food) movements also are gaining massive momentum, driven by consumer skepticism, proactive brand reformulation, and younger generations rejecting rigid diets in favor of personalized, clean-ingredient nutrition.

Echoing this shift, recent coverage by SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal notes that the clean-label movement has transitioned from a niche premium differentiator into a baseline consumer expectation. Today’s consumers define natural and organic through a lens of total transparency and purity. In fact, NIQ’s (NielsenIQ) latest 2026 Consumer Outlook reveals that brand trust has become the ultimate currency, with an overwhelming 95% of consumers stating that trust is critical when choosing a brand.

Consumers are backing up this sentiment with their wallets. According to NIQ, clean label products in the U.S. are currently growing at a rate of 7.5% this year, significantly outpacing the 5.9% overall average for U.S. fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Recent research by Innova Market Insights shows that globally, 58% of consumers prioritize honesty and transparency in products, with the top influential purchasing claims being “natural,” “locally sourced,” and “organic.” Furthermore, a 2025 global consumer trends survey from Market Research Future underscores that this shift is heavily driven by younger demographics. The study found that 64% of Gen Z consumers actively seek out clean-label claims such as “organic,” “no artificial ingredients,” and “minimally processed.” SupplySide notes that consumers are reading labels more closely than ever, demanding that brands invest in sustainable sourcing and formulation technologies that preserve shelf life and sensory appeal without compromising the “clean” promise.

To meet this increased demand, the natural and organic industry has expanded its footprint across standard supermarkets, convenience channels, and e-commerce platforms. But meeting mainstream demand brings significant operational hurdles. The industry continues to grapple with supply chain bottlenecks, real-time raw material shortages, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining consistent global sourcing standards. As brands scale, maintaining the transparency that consumers demand—proving that the product is as “clean” as the label implies—is becoming a defining operational challenge … and an opportunity.

Pesticides and the MAHA Influence: For Better and For Worse
The consumer desire for “less/no pesticides/chemicals” is currently colliding with an increasingly politicized food system, most notably the profound influence of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. Led by political figures and advocates pushing to upend the FDA and USDA, MAHA has dramatically shifted the national conversation around food and agriculture—yielding intensely mixed results for the natural and organic industry.

The Better
The MAHA movement has successfully thrust the concept of “food as medicine” into the mainstream political arena, validating concerns that natural and organic industry advocates have championed for decades, as reported by SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal and many others. By aggressively targeting petroleum-based artificial food dyes, seed oils, and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), MAHA has elevated everyday consumer awareness about clean ingredients to unprecedented heights. This populist uproar against the conventional, highly processed food system inherently drives traffic toward the natural and organic aisles, where consumers know they can find refuge from artificial ingredients.

The Worse
However, when it comes to the bedrock of organic farming—the prohibition of synthetic toxic pesticides—the MAHA influence has been far more complicated. Environmental watchdog groups note that despite the populist rhetoric regarding health, the current political administration’s actual policy execution has heavily favored chemical agribusiness, much to the chagrin of many MAHA proponents, according to a recent report from Politico.

Rather than restricting toxic agricultural inputs, there has been a trend of pesticide protectionism that is further frustrating health proponents, NPR reported in April 2026. We are witnessing regulatory rollbacks regarding risk evaluations for hormone-disrupting chemicals and a startling lack of new federal pesticide restrictions. Furthermore, 2025 and 2026 saw federal funding freezes and delays for critical programs meant to assist farmers transitioning to organic systems. This creates a paradox: Consumers are being told by political influencers to eat cleaner, healthier food, while the very mechanisms needed to scale organic farming and protect rural communities from toxic chemicals are being undermined at the federal level.

Defending the Shield: Countering the Social Media “Gaslight” Narrative
This political turbulence is mirrored by a growing, concerning cultural backlash against organic food on social media. If the organic industry wants to protect its $76 billion market share, it must learn how to aggressively and effectively counter negative PR.

As highlighted in a poignant April 2026 newsletter by Organic Insider, a rising tide of large content creators, fitness influencers, and self-appointed “truth-tellers” on Instagram and TikTok have been relentlessly attacking the organic industry. They are going viral by calling organic food “the greatest gaslight of all time,” “worthless,” and “a scam.”

Max Goldberg of Organic Insider, correctly identifies this trend not as a good-faith critique of a flawed agricultural system, but as the “monetization of destruction.” These influencers are farming clicks and outrage by tearing down the organic seal, yet they offer no constructive alternative framework, Goldberg says.

If the organic system were to be dismantled by this wave of social media cynicism, what would we be left with? We would be left entirely with the conventional food system—a system optimized for cheap, extractive production where crops are routinely desiccated with glyphosate, a known carcinogen, and sprayed with dicamba, a highly toxic pesticide. We would be left with a system reliant on genetically engineered crops, synthetic biology, and the total externalization of environmental costs onto rural farming communities.

To counter this negative PR, organic brands and marketers must stop playing defense and start playing offense. For example:

Elevate the Farmer: The influencers calling organic a scam will never look a fourth-generation farmer in the eye—someone who has spent years earning certification, paid thousands in annual fees, and worked without synthetic shortcuts—and tell them their life’s work is a gaslight. Brands must put these farmers front and center in their marketing campaigns. Show the soil. Show the labor. Show the humanity behind the seal.
Educate on the Alternative: Brands must clearly articulate what the absence of organic means. Remind consumers that organic federal certification mandates soil health standards, annual certifier inspections, chain-of-custody requirements, and a strict prohibition on synthetic pesticides and GMOs.
Acknowledge and Improve: As Organic Insider notes, the organic system is not perfect. The industry must publicly champion stronger enforcement and the elimination of fraud. Transparency builds trust; defensiveness destroys it. By acknowledging flaws while fiercely defending the system’s foundational principles, the industry can win back the “pragmatic” consumers who are currently paralyzed by social media skepticism.

The Path Forward
The market research of 2026 paints a complex, highly dynamic picture for the natural and organic industry. Consumers are highly motivated and willing to pay a justified premium for clean, safe food, even amidst tightening economic belts. They are increasingly savvy about the links between agricultural practices, environmental resilience, and their own health.

However, the industry is no longer operating in an echo chamber of early adopters. It is operating in a noisy, politically charged, and economically stressed mainstream marketplace. As terms like “regenerative” risk being co-opted by conventional agriculture to obscure ongoing pesticide use, and as social media algorithms reward outrage over nuance, the mandate for organic brands is crystal clear: uncompromising transparency and bold advocacy.

Relying on the rigorously audited USDA Organic seal and also newer, Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standards—while relentlessly educating consumers on why organic remains the gold standard for pesticide-free, non-GMO food—will be the most vital strategy for retaining consumer trust, justifying the price premium, and securing the next generation of growth for the natural and organic products sector.

Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.

Steve Hoffman 4/28/26 Steve Hoffman 4/28/26

Colo. Gov. Jared Polis Joins Industry Pioneers to Break Ground on New Feinblum Herb Garden

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (April 27, 2026) — Colorado State University (CSU) marked a major milestone in bringing the Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden to life with a successful groundbreaking ceremony on April 24 at its Fort Collins campus. The event celebrated the launch of a new living classroom rooted in plants, purpose, and Colorado’s legacy of natural products innovation.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis delivered the keynote welcoming remarks before grabbing a shovel to participate in the official groundbreaking. He was joined at the event by James Thompson, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside CSU faculty, staff, and students. Following an address to the audience by garden benefactor Barney Feinblum, attendees enjoyed a celebratory tour of CSU's famous Annual Flower Trial Gardens, which sit directly adjacent to the future herb garden site.

*From left: Chad Miller (CSU Trial Gardens director), Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Julie Feinblum, Barney Feinblum.*

During his remarks, Governor Polis highlighted the intersection of the state's agricultural heritage and its booming natural products sector.

“This new herb garden is a living laboratory. It will give students really valuable hands-on experience learning about so many applications plants can have to support our health, our well-being, support science and raise awareness,” said Governor Polis. “We are so proud in Colorado of our organic and natural foods industry of which [the Feinblums] were founding icons. I want to thank both of you for this really remarkable gift to the entire state of Colorado. People will come here from all over to see this herb garden.”

Funded by natural foods pioneer Barney Feinblum, former CEO of Celestial Seasonings and Horizon Organic, and his wife, Julie (Jules), this new living classroom will feature a diverse collection of medicinal, culinary, and tea herbs. It is designed to bridge classroom theory with real-world application, giving students hands-on experience with the plants that launched entire industries.

The garden serves as a permanent tribute to Colorado’s status as the “Silicon Valley of natural foods,” tracing its roots back to 1969 when Celestial Seasonings founders Mo Siegel and John Hay began hand-foraging wild herbs in the Rockies.

“Barney’s contributions to advancing natural foods in America are legendary," noted Celestial Seasonings co-founder Mo Siegel in a statement surrounding the dedication. “Imagining and funding an herb garden at CSU is another gift Barney and Jules have given to our state.”

For the Feinblums, the garden represents a way to pass forward what plants have given them: curiosity, purpose, and the confidence to build something meaningful.

“I really believe you can change the world with a few simple plants,” said Feinblum. “That’s why this herb garden at CSU will be a living classroom. Colorado changed our lives, and this is our way of giving back.”

With the site officially dedicated, planting will soon begin, with plans to expand the botanical collections and student impact over time. To learn more or to support the garden’s growth, visit agsci.colostate.edu/hortla/feinblum-herb-garden/.

About Julie & Barney Feinblum
For Barney and Julie Feinblum, the Herb Garden at CSU is both deeply personal and forward-looking. Throughout their lives, plants—and the values they represent—have shaped their family, work and connection to Colorado. Herbs, in particular, played a defining role in Barney’s career in the natural products industry, where, as former CEO of Celestial Seasonings (and also as former CEO of Horizon Organic), he helped lead organizations that changed how Americans think about food, wellness, and the relationship between business and values. By creating a living herb garden for students, the Feinblums hope to pass forward what plants have given them: curiosity, purpose and the confidence to build something meaningful. Their gift reflects a belief that education should be tangible, values-driven, and rooted in the natural world.

About Colorado State University
Colorado State University is Colorado’s land-grant public research university, recognized nationally for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Based in Fort Collins with statewide and urban reach through initiatives such as CSU Spur in Denver and CSU Extension offices across Colorado, the university advances solutions in agriculture, food systems, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. CSU is also known for its award- winning educational landscapes, including the internationally recognized Annual Flower Trial Gardens and the CSU Campus Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which together serve as living laboratories supporting horticultural research, hands-on learning, and public engagement. Through nearly 300 academic programs and a deep commitment to access, innovation, and impact, CSU prepares students to lead with science, values, and purpose in Colorado and beyond. Visit the CSU Flower Trial Gardens' website for more information and follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 4/10/26 Steve Hoffman 4/10/26

Seedsman Evolves Beyond Seed Retail With Launch of New Global Grower Community

Trusted cannabis genetics leader champions the craft and wellbeing of cultivation through grower-to-grower exchange, shared knowledge, and a new interactive community

BARCELONA, Spain (April 9, 2026) —Seedsman , a global pioneer in cannabis genetics and one of the industry’s most trusted seed retailers, today announced the launch of the Seedsman Community . This new interactive platform marks a natural evolution for the company, moving beyond a cannabis seed superstore to become a more rounded home for genetics, grower knowledge and cultivation culture.

The Seedsman Community, which officially went live this past month, is the clearest expression of the company’s new guiding philosophy: Enrich Life. Rather than a brand slogan, Enrich Life reflects a grower-centered way of thinking that recognizes growing offers far more than an end result. The process of cultivation and improving one's knowledge of gardening and horticulture can bring mindfulness, patience, presence, a deeply satisfying routine, and a stronger sense of connection—both to the natural world and to a wider network of gardeners and growers.

A Natural Evolution of Heritage
For more than two decades, Seedsman has helped shape the cannabis industry through its leadership in genetics, including the early introduction of auto-flowering and CBD varieties to market and its longstanding commitment to preserving heirloom, landrace, and breeder-developed strains from around the world.

Today, Seedsman is building on what it has long stood for. The company is dedicated to making the benefits of cultivation tangible by helping people build knowledge, confidence, skill and connection through better genetics, trusted information and shared experiences.

“Seedsman has always been rooted in a profound respect for cannabis genetics and the growers who bring those genetics to life,” said Tom Raikes, Seedsman founder and CEO. “We believe that gardening does so much more than yield a harvest. It supports mental wellbeing, rewards patience, and provides a deeply satisfying connection to the natural world. Our evolution is about fully supporting that journey and bringing home gardeners, small-scale growers and others together to share the art, the science and the everyday joy of cultivation.”

Growing as Craft and Connection
At the heart of the Enrich Life ethos is the understanding that growing is inherently meaningful. It is not only about practical yields; it is about the ritual, the craft, continuous learning, and the undeniable sense of progress that comes with tending to a plant over time.

Seedsman’s evolution champions this culture. By moving beyond a purely retail focus, the company aims to support cultivators at every stage, helping them to deepen their expertise and find mutual encouragement through grower-to-grower exchange.

The Seedsman Community
Serving as living proof of these values in action, the Seedsman Community is a dedicated space where cultivators from around the world can connect, learn, and grow together.

More than just an add-on forum, the community platform is where the Enrich Life philosophy becomes visible. It features detailed grow journals, shared advice, real grower stories, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and a celebration of the craft. Designed for serious cultivators as well as those taking their very first steps in gardening, the platform demonstrates that individual learning is always strengthened by shared experience and mutual encouragement.

“The act of nurturing a plant from seed to harvest gives so much back to the grower,” Raikes added. “It teaches mindfulness, establishes a grounding routine, and offers a tremendous sense of accomplishment. We wanted to create a genuine home for that experience. The Seedsman Community matters because when growers exchange their stories, questions, and successes, everyone's craft improves. We are here to fully support that shared growth.”

The launch reinforces Seedsman’s longstanding mission to preserve and advance cannabis genetics while supporting a more inclusive, knowledgeable, and connected community of growers.

For more information, visit Seedsman.com. Join the Seedsman Community here.

About Seedsman
Seedsman is a global leader in cannabis genetics and seed distribution, founded in 2002 with a mission to preserve, protect and advance the cannabis gene pool. For more than 20 years, Seedsman has served growers worldwide with one of the industry’s most diverse libraries of authentic genetics, including heirloom, landrace, and breeder developed strains. Through its Enrich Life philosophy, Seedsman is expanding its heritage into a comprehensive home for horticulture, cultivation culture and grower education. To learn more, visit www.seedsman.com, join the Seedsman Community at https://community.seedsman.com/. Follow Seedsman on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and Reddit.

Media Contact: Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 4/3/26 Steve Hoffman 4/3/26

ArniPatch’s Drug-Free Hydrogel Patch Redefines Natural Recovery

Homeopathic, drug-free, controlled-release patch provides up to 12 hours of targeted recovery support

IRVINE, Calif. (April 2, 2026) — As recovery continues to be an important and essential part of athletic performance and everyday wellness, ArniPatch™, a natural, homeopathic hydrogel patch developed by LaboFlex, Inc., is emerging as a modern alternative to traditional arnica creams and gels.

Designed to support recovery from muscle soreness, stiffness, bruising, and everyday strain, ArniPatch delivers Arnica Montana 1X HPUS (1%) through an advanced hydrogel patch system, providing targeted, mess-free comfort for up to 12 hours.

ArniPatch is entering the market at a time when global demand for drug-free, convenience-driven recovery products continues to rise, particularly among athletes and active consumers seeking alternatives to creams, gels, and pills.

The Evolution of Recovery
While arnica has long been used in creams and gels, these formats can present challenges for active individuals, including inconsistent application, short duration, and potential irritation.

ArniPatch addresses these limitations through a controlled-release delivery system that keeps the active ingredient in place over time.

“Traditional topical formats often require repeated application and can be difficult to use during training or travel,” said Dr. Yoon Bum Ham, PhD and R&D Lead at LaboFlex. “ArniPatch was designed to deliver a more consistent, comfortable recovery experience.”

Hydrogel Technology Meets Natural Recovery
ArniPatch utilizes hydrogel patch technology to provide a cooling, soothing experience during recovery. The flexible, skin-friendly patch is designed for extended wear without the mess, odor, or residue associated with creams.

Key features include:

Drug-free and non-drowsy, offering an option for those experiencing “pill fatigue”
Scent-free and menthol-free, suitable for shared environments
Dermatologist tested and designed for comfort during extended wear
HSA/FSA eligible, supporting convenient wellness purchasing

Reference white papers here.

Designed for Active Lifestyles
Developed by LaboFlex, the U.S. subsidiary of Wooshin Labottach, ArniPatch reflects decades of research into plant-based recovery solutions. The patch is intended for use in everyday recovery scenarios, including post-exercise soreness, bruising, and travel-related stiffness.

Unlike creams that wear off quickly, the patch format allows for continuous contact with the skin, supporting a more consistent recovery experience throughout the day or night.

From Professional Sports to Everyday Movement
Natural, drug-free recovery is becoming central not only to elite athletes, but also to individuals maintaining active lifestyles. ArniPatch’s partnership with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) reflects this growing focus.

ArniPatch will engage with athletes and fans through upcoming LAFC Fan Fest activations, including:

April 4 vs. Orlando
April 19 vs. San Jose
Aug. 15 vs. San Diego
Oct. 25 vs. Galaxy

About ArniPatch™
ArniPatch™ is a natural, homeopathic hydrogel patch designed to support recovery from muscle pain and stiffness, bruising, sprains, and inflammation. Formulated with Arnica Montana 1X HPUS (1%), ArniPatch delivers targeted, long-lasting comfort for up to 12 hours through advanced hydrogel patch technology that provides cooling and soothing effects. Developed by LaboFlex, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Wooshin Labottach—the first company to develop an arnica hydrogel-type patch—ArniPatch represents a modern evolution of traditional topical arnica formulations. With a focus on proven safety, efficacy, and innovation, LaboFlex’s R&D team develops recovery solutions that combine natural ingredients with advanced delivery systems.

ArniPatch is HSA/FSA eligible, offering a convenient option for consumers managing recovery and wellness expenses. More information can be found on the ArniPatch website and purchased at Walmart and on Amazon.com. Follow ArniPatch on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 4/3/26 Steve Hoffman 4/3/26

Ceremony on April 24 to Honor Natural Foods Pioneers with New Herb Garden at CSU

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (March 31, 2026) — Honoring the state's deep roots in the global natural foods movement, Colorado State University (CSU) will officially break ground on the highly anticipated Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden on Friday, April 24, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Located on the CSU main campus in Fort Collins, adjacent to the renowned Annual Flower Trial Garden, this new living classroom will plant the seeds for the next generation of agricultural innovators while celebrating the pioneering Colorado companies that revolutionized how America eats and drinks. The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the media and the public.

Event Details at a Glance:

What: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden
When: Friday, April 24, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. MT
Where: CSU Main Campus (Adjacent to the Trial Garden), Fort Collins, CO
Attendance: Open to the Media and the Public
RSVP: Click here to confirm your attendance

Endowed in perpetuity through a generous gift from longtime natural products industry leader Barney Feinblum and his wife, Julie (aka Jules), the herb garden will feature a diverse collection of medicinal, culinary, and tea herbs. Designed to bridge classroom theory with real-world application in agriculture, wellness, and business, the garden will give students the opportunity to see, touch, and study the plants that launched entire industries.

The garden also serves as a permanent recognition of Colorado's unique role as the "Silicon Valley of natural foods." This rich ecosystem of organic and better-for-you brands traces its roots directly back to the 1970s and the creation of Celestial Seasonings. When founders Mo Siegel and John Hay first began hand-foraging wild herbs in the Rocky Mountains in 1969, they sparked a revolution. Their pioneering vision transformed herbal tea from a niche, local hobby into a mainstream wellness staple.

Joined by Barney Feinblum—who started on the factory floor and eventually rose to President and CEO—the Celestial Seasonings team proved that a company could achieve massive national success without compromising its core values of transparency, environmental stewardship, and health. This foundational success paved the way for countless other natural product innovators to launch and thrive in Colorado.

“Barney's contributions to advancing natural foods in America are legendary. While CEO of Celestial Seasonings, he built our first herb garden. Imagining and funding an herb garden at CSU is another gift Barney and Jules have given to our state. They picked the most appropriate university as well. Congratulations Barney, Jules and CSU,” said Celestial Seasonings Co-founder Mo Siegel.

Added John Hay, “Celestial Seasonings was successful mainly due to certain principles that set it apart from most companies: Truth, Beauty and Goodness, and creating a friendly environment for all employees to work in and feel respected. Truth, with the sayings on every box and tea tag, Beauty with the original artwork on every package, and Goodness in the flavors and healthy herbs that created each unique blend of herb tea. Plus, fortunate timing: the New Age generation was a growing culture in the late 1960’s and 70’s when we introduced herb teas, and it was ripe for accepting new, healthy, creative and totally natural products."

“I really believe you can change the world with a few simple plants,” said Barney Feinblum. “Celestial Seasonings did just that. It taught that you don’t have to compromise your values to be successful. You have to make sales and make a profit, but you can do it with values.”

For the Feinblums, the garden represents a way to pass forward what plants have given them: curiosity, purpose, and the confidence to build something meaningful.

“You don’t change the world when you’re my age," Feinblum added. "You do it when you’re a young person just out of college, when you have energy and enthusiasm and want to make the world a better place. That’s why this herb garden will be a living classroom for students. Colorado changed our lives. We built a good life here, and this is our way of giving back.”

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden will begin planting, with plans to expand its botanical collections, educational programming, and student impact over time.

For more information about the Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden, or to learn how to support the garden’s growth, visit the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences website.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 4/2/26 Steve Hoffman 4/2/26

Organic Outpaces the Market: Global Sales Hit Record Highs as U.S. Crosses $76B

As the global food and beverage industry navigates economic headwinds, inflation, and climate volatility, one sector is not just surviving—it is redefining the modern food system. According to a wave of newly released 2026 market reports from around the globe, organic is not slowing down; it is structurally pulling ahead of the conventional marketplace. For business executives, the message is clear: Consumer demand for health, transparency, and sustainability has fundamentally transformed from a niche preference into a primary economic driver.

This article first appeared in Presence Marketing’s April 2026 newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

In an era defined by fluctuating supply chains and evolving consumer behaviors, the organic food and beverage industry continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. A trio of recently published annual market research reports from the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom reveals a sector that is consistently outperforming the broader conventional food market.

Driven by the mainstreaming of "food as medicine," an increased demand for clean ingredients, and a growing commitment to sustainability, global consumers are speaking with their wallets. Yet, as retail sales rise to unprecedented heights, the industry faces structural and supply-side challenges that require strategic foresight from organic food producers.

The Global Perspective: Record Sales Meet Supply Chain Realities
The global organic market has reached yet another milestone. According to The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging Trends 2026, published jointly by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM Organics International, global retail sales increased 5 percent year over year to nearly 145.0 billion euros ($156.9 billion) in 2024. This represents an all-time high for the sector, pointing to a robust, volume-driven recovery following periods of price-driven inflation.

According to the FiBL and IFOAM data, the global landscape is dominated by a few key powerhouses, though consumption is growing worldwide:

● The United States remains the largest single market for organic food, accounting for 60.4 billion euros ($65.4 billion) in retail sales

● Germany followed as the second-largest global market, generating 17.0 billion euros ($18.4 billion)

● China secured its position as the third-largest market, recording 15.5 billion euros ($16.8 billion) in organic sales

● France represented the fourth-largest market, with sales reaching 12.2 billion euros ($13.2 billion)

When looking at individual consumer habits, Europe remains the epicenter of organic loyalty. Per capita consumption was highest in Switzerland, where consumers spent an average of 481 euros ($521) on organic products in 2024, up from 468 euros the previous year. Denmark followed closely at 373 euros ($404) per person , an increase from 362 euros in 2023. Austria also ranked among the highest, maintaining a steady per capita consumption of 292 euros ($316) year-over-year. Meanwhile, the United States ranked eighth globally, with a per capita organic consumption of 176 euros ($190) in 2024.

However, the FiBL and IFOAM report reveals a dichotomy between soaring consumer demand and agricultural realities. In 2024, almost 98.9 million hectares (244.4 million acres) of agricultural land were organic, including in-conversion areas. This represented 2.1 percent of the world's total agricultural land. Yet, for the first time in years, organic farmland saw a slight contraction, decreasing by 176,000 hectares (434,904 acres), or 0.2 percent compared to the previous year.

This stabilization in acreage is largely attributed to shifting regulatory landscapes—such as the implementation of the new EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848—as well as market disruptions stemming from the energy crisis, rising input costs, and climate variability that delayed farmer conversions. Extreme weather events have heavily impacted key export sectors, specifically commodities like coffee and cocoa. For executives, this signals a critical mandate: securing resilient, long-term supply chains and investing in farmer transition programs will be essential to meeting future demand.

The distribution of organic farmland highlights the global nature of the supply chain:

● Oceania accounted for the majority of organic land, with 53.2 million hectares (131.4 million acres) (Australia accounts for >99 percent of the total organic agricultural land in the entire Oceania region)

● Europe followed with 19.6 million hectares (48.4 million acres)

● Latin America held 10.3 million hectares (25.4 million acres)

● Asia managed 8.7 million hectares (21.5 million acres)

● North America accounted for 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres)

● Africa represented 2.8 million hectares (6.9 million acres)

Despite the slight dip in acreage, the human footprint of the organic movement expanded. The global number of organic producers increased to 4,844,872 in 2024. India reported the highest number of organic producers globally, with 2,363,607 farmers. Uganda followed with 404,246 producers. Ethiopia ranked third, registering 203,258 organic producers.

The U.S. Market Surge: Crossing the $76 Billion Mark
In the United States, organic is not just growing; it is redefining the marketplace. According to the 2026 Organic Market Report published by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) on March 4, 2026, U.S. sales of certified organic products reached a record $76.6 billion in 2025.

The data illustrates a sector that is structurally outpacing conventional food. Total U.S. organic sales grew by 6.8% year-over-year, effectively doubling the 3.4 percent growth rate of the overall marketplace. Organic food sales alone hit $70.1 billion, up 6.9 percent and growing three times faster than the overall food market's sluggish 2.3 percent growth.

As has historically been the case, the produce aisle remains the primary gateway for U.S. consumers entering the organic lifestyle. Organic produce accounted for $22.7 billion in sales, representing roughly 30 percent of total organic food sales. Growth within this category was robust, with berries up 10.5 percent, citrus climbing 18.1 percent, and bananas seeing a 12.6 percent boost.

However, the most striking shift in the American diet is occurring in the protein sector. Organic beef has emerged as the fastest-growing segment in the industry, skyrocketing by an astonishing 44.3 percent. This indicates a profound evolution in consumer priorities, where shoppers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for meat products that align with their ethical, environmental and health values. Organic dairy and eggs also saw impressive gains, growing 12.8 percent to reach $9.6 billion.

The concept of "food as medicine" seems to have firmly transitioned from a fringe trend to mainstream consumer behavior. This is most evident in the organic beverage category, which reached $10.2 billion in sales (up 7.2 percent), driven heavily by demand for functional benefits and clean-ingredient profiles. Furthermore, shelf-stable, value-driven organic goods—such as dried beans, fruits, and vegetables—experienced a 13.6 percent surge, proving that shoppers are finding ways to integrate organic staples into their pantries, even amid economic pressures.

As the OTA notes, consumers are consistently choosing trust over price, relying heavily on the USDA Organic seal. If this current trajectory holds, the U.S. organic sector crossing the $100 billion threshold by 2030 is very much within reach.

Import Dependencies: Closing the Supply-Demand Gap
While the U.S. dominates global consumption, its reliance on international trade highlights a critical vulnerability and an opportunity for industry stakeholders. Because domestic organic acreage remains under 1 percent of total U.S. farmland, domestic supply falls significantly short of demand.

The U.S. tracked $5.7 billion in organic imports in 2024. The volume of organic imports into the United States reached 3.25 million metric tons, an increase of 17.7 percent compared to the previous year. Combined, the imports of organic products into the European Union and the United States reached nearly 5.89 million metric tons in 2024.

According to The World of Organic Agriculture 2026 report published by FiBL and IFOAM Organics International, the top exporters supplying these large western markets were Mexico, with 865,076 metric tons; Ecuador, with 765,605 metric tons; and Canada, with 378,820 metric tons. The commodities driving this international trade network highlight consumer reliance on tropical and feed products:

● Bananas were the most imported organic product, totaling 1,365,512 metric tons

● Oilcakes accounted for 593,753 metric tons of total imports

● Sugar represented 535,699 metric tons of the organic imports

The reliance on imported organic feed crops is particularly stark. For instance, U.S. organic soy supply currently meets only about one-third of domestic demand, requiring substantial imports to support the booming organic livestock and poultry sectors.

Complicating this reliance on imports is a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. As noted in the FiBL and IFOAM report, earlier U.S. trade policies introduced significant volatility into the supply chain, as President Trump’s tariffs “are having a negative effect on agricultural food imports, more so on the organic sector, as it is heavily dependent on imported raw materials."

The legal and economic reality for organic importers shifted dramatically in early 2026 when the Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorize the President to impose sweeping tariffs, effectively striking down the measures, as reported by SCOTUSblog. However, the relief for the organic supply chain was short-lived. Within hours of the ruling, the administration invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a new temporary 10 percent across-the-board global tariff, according to an analysis by the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).

This rapid pivot means the organic sector continues to face elevated taxes on imported raw materials and feed grains. Furthermore, because these new Section 122 tariffs are temporary—set to expire after 150 days—the environment remains unstable. This forces organic businesses to make critical pricing and supply chain decisions against a backdrop of extreme trade policy volatility.

Complicating matters further is the prospect of potential refunds. Because the Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs were collected illegally, importers may be entitled to recoup billions of dollars in costs. But as Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted in his dissent, the process of refunding these tariffs is likely to be a "mess," leaving organic businesses to navigate complex litigation to recover funds, as highlighted by SCOTUSblog.

Ultimately, because the administration quickly replaced the struck-down tariffs with new ones, overall tariff rates remain similar to their previous levels. Organic businesses continue to face high input costs, which will likely still be passed on to consumers at the grocery store. For C-suite executives, investing in domestic transition programs and expanding local infrastructure is no longer just a marketing win; it is a vital survival strategy for supply chain security in an era of unpredictable trade policy.

The U.K. Perspective: Growth Outpaces Non-Organic
The story of organic resilience extends across the Atlantic. According to the Organic Market Report 2026 published by the Soil Association, and reported by Wicked Leeks on March 19, 2026, 83 percent of U.K. households now purchase organic products.

Despite enduring a severe cost-of-living crisis and rampant food inflation, the U.K. organic market's growth has successfully outpaced the non-organic sector. This trend underscores a broader European and global realization: organic is no longer viewed as an expendable luxury by the majority of consumers. Instead, it is increasingly seen as a non-negotiable investment in personal health, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

Strategic Takeaways
The convergence of data from FiBL, IFOAM, the OTA, and the Soil Association paints a picture of an industry at an inflection point. Organic is no longer simply growing; it is actively restructuring the modern food system. For business leaders in the natural and organic space, several key directives emerge from these 2026 reports:

1. Capitalize on the Protein and Beverage Boom: While produce remains the foundation of organic retail, the aggressive 44.3 percent growth in U.S. organic beef and the $10.2 billion beverage market point to the next major battlegrounds. Innovating in the functional beverage space and expanding organic protein offerings will be critical for capturing premium consumer dollars.

2. Invest in Supply Chain Resilience: The slight 0.2 percent global decrease in organic farmland paired with record-breaking consumer demand is a recipe for future supply shortages. Brands must proactively partner with growers, offer transition incentives, and secure long-term contracts, particularly for high-risk commodities including coffee, cocoa and feed grains.

3. Lean into Transparency: With consumers navigating a crowded landscape of sustainability claims, the rigorous, third-party verification of the USDA Organic and equivalent international seals remains the gold standard. Brands that clearly communicate the holistic benefits of organic—from soil health to clean ingredients—will continue to win on consumer trust.

As the data makes clear, the global organic market has transitioned from an alternative niche to a dominant force. Executives who align their sourcing, product development, and marketing strategies with this reality will be best positioned to lead the industry as it marches toward the $100 billion milestone and beyond.

Steve Hoffman 3/24/26 Steve Hoffman 3/24/26

Nude Foods Market Demonstrates Strong Growth After Shark Tank Appearance

Colorado-based zero-waste grocer proves packaging-free model can compete at scale — while expanding footprint, growing customer base & avoiding 1.5M pieces of plastic

BOULDER, Colo. (March 24, 2026) — Nude Foods Market, the Colorado-based, female-founded grocery company eliminating single-use plastic from everyday shopping, is gaining national traction following its appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, which aired March 11.

Co-founders Verity Noble and Rachel Irons secured investment commitments from Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec after pitching a bold vision: a grocery store where packaging waste is eliminated and food is delivered in returnable, reusable containers.

“This wasn’t just a pitch for our business — it was a pitch for a better food system,” said Noble. “We’re proving that a grocery store can operate competitively while dramatically reducing waste.”

A Growing Model Addressing a Massive Waste Problem
The company’s rise comes amid increasing awareness of the scale of the U.S. waste crisis. The average American produces approximately 1,704 pounds of trash each year, which is equivalent to tens of millions of garbage trucks annually, much of it driven by single-use packaging.

Nude Foods Market is working to reverse that trend. Since launching, the company has prevented more than 1.5 million pieces of plastic from being created by replacing conventional packaging with returnable glass jars and reusable containers.

Customers shop much as they would in a traditional grocery store, but instead of discarding packaging into landfill, they return it to be cleaned and reused hundreds of times.

Scaling a Zero-Waste Grocery Model
Founded in Boulder in 2020, Nude Foods Market has expanded to a second brick-and-mortar location in Denver, alongside a growing e-commerce and delivery operation serving the Boulder–Denver metro area. Select sustainable home bundle products are also available for nationwide shipping.

The company now carries more than 1,500 hand-selected products, with more than 40% sourced locally from Colorado producers. Nude Foods works directly with these partners to eliminate packaging entirely by providing reusable containers that are returned, cleaned and refilled in a closed-loop system.

“This is where we’re seeing real innovation,” said Irons. “We’re not just removing plastic at the store level — we’re working with producers to eliminate it across the supply chain.”

Local offerings include a wide range of everyday staples, from tortilla chips, granola and fresh bread to broths, prepared foods, personal care items and more, all delivered without single-use packaging.

Designed for Convenience, Built for Regeneration
Nude Foods Market’s model is built on the belief that sustainability must be convenient to scale. The company purchases products in bulk to reduce upstream packaging, prioritizes compostable and recyclable materials when needed, and offsets minimal plastic through recycling partners such as Ridwell.

Operations have also evolved to support growth while minimizing environmental impact. What began as a bike-delivery model has expanded to include electric vehicles for store transport, alongside partnerships with local delivery services to optimize routes and reduce emissions.

Every product is vetted to meet the company’s standards for ingredient quality and sustainable sourcing, with a focus on supporting regenerative agriculture and local food systems.

“Our goal is to create a food system that improves the health of our land, our communities and ourselves,” Irons said.

Strong Performance in a Challenging Retail Landscape
At a time when independent grocers face mounting economic pressures, Nude Foods Market is demonstrating that a low-waste model can also be a high-performing business. The company has built a loyal and growing customer base, supported by a highly differentiated retail experience and strong community engagement.

To date, Nude Foods has raised nearly $600,000 through community crowdfunding, turning customers into investors and advocates for a more sustainable food system.

The company has also been recognized nationally for its innovation, including being named among the Top Independent Grocers in the United States by Progressive Grocer.

A Cultural Shift Toward Plastic-Free Living
Nude Foods Market’s momentum aligns with a broader cultural shift as consumers increasingly question the health and environmental impacts of plastic. A newly released Netflix documentary, The Plastic Detox, exploring the global plastic crisis, has intensified public awareness and positioned the company and its founders as emerging voices in the shift toward packaging-free retail.

“In the beginning, food didn’t come wrapped in plastic — it was grown, shared and consumed within communities,” said Noble. “We’re not inventing something entirely new. We’re bringing food back to a more natural, responsible state, updated for how people live today.”

Looking Ahead
With new investment, national visibility from Shark Tank and growing consumer demand, Nude Foods Market is focused on expanding across Colorado’s Front Range and into new markets.

The company’s mission remains clear: to make zero-waste grocery shopping the new standard, without sacrificing convenience, quality or scale.

About Nude Foods Market
Nude Foods Market is a Colorado-based, female-founded grocery company on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic from everyday shopping. By offering local, organic and regeneratively sourced foods in returnable, reusable packaging, Nude Foods makes zero-waste grocery shopping convenient and accessible. With more than 1,500 products, a growing retail and e-commerce presence, and over 1.5 million pieces of plastic avoided, the company is redefining the future of grocery: transparent, regenerative and designed to nourish both people and the planet. Consumers can shop Nude Foods Market in Boulder and Denver, or order online for local delivery and select nationwide shipping at www.nudefoodsmarket.com. Follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

Steve Hoffman 3/2/26 Steve Hoffman 3/2/26

Legislative Initiatives Mount to Lower Grocery Prices and Ban Surveillance Pricing

This article first appeared in Presence Marketing’s March 2026 newsletter.

By Steven Hoffman

As the food and beverage industry moves deeper into 2026, the narrative governing the grocery aisle has shifted from simple supply chain economics to a complex battlefield of technology, privacy, and political maneuvering. While headline inflation has ostensibly cooled from its post-pandemic peaks, the lived reality for the American consumer remains one of relentless sticker shock—a reality that is now precipitating a wave of legislative interventions at both the state and federal levels.

For retailers and manufacturers, the signal from Washington and state capitals is clear: the era of unrestrained pricing strategies may be drawing to a close. A bipartisan recognition of consumer distress is fueling a two-pronged legislative assault. On one flank, lawmakers are targeting the raw costs of goods through tax repeals and affordability agendas. On the other, they are taking aim at the very mechanisms of modern retail—specifically, the emerging use of artificial intelligence and data-driven "surveillance pricing."

The Economic Context: A Slowing Pace, But Rising Pain
To understand what’s driving the current legislative landscape, one must look at the data. According to NPR, grocery prices have surged between 30% and 40% since 2019, fundamentally altering the economics of the American household.

While the pace of increases is technically slowing, the trajectory remains upward. As reported by Progressive Grocer, the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed a 0.2% rise in food-at-home prices for the month and a 2.1% increase over the last 12 months.

The pain is not distributed equally across the store. The data shows that five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased yet again in January:

Cereals and bakery products rose 1.2%
Dairy and related products increased 0.8%
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs inched up 0.2%
Both the nonalcoholic beverages and fruits and vegetables category saw a slight rise of 0.1%

Independent analysis paints an even starker picture. The ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index reported a nearly 6% year-over-year climb in January. The cost for their basket of everyday items jumped from $147.71 in January 2025 to $156.43 in January 2026. This $8.72 increase was driven largely by coffee, cereal, and paper products, though staples like eggs and butter offered modest relief.

The Drivers: Tariffs, Labor, and “Sentiment”
Industry analysts are quick to point out that these price hikes are not occurring in a vacuum. A complex web of federal policy decisions is actively influencing shelf prices.

Foremost among these are tariffs. A report from the Council on Foreign Relations highlights that 65% of Americans now view tariffs as a primary driver of unaffordability. The Yale Budget Lab estimates that recent trade policies will likely increase food prices by 1.4% in the short run. This is already visible in the coffee aisle, where prices soared after the Administration imposed tariffs as high as 50% on major importing countries like Brazil—a move Consumer Federation of America likens to a "$200 billion federal sales tax."

Furthermore, labor dynamics linked to immigration enforcement are creating disparities between retail and foodservice. Prices for "food away from home" rose significantly more (4.1%) in 2025 than "food at home" (2.4%), reflecting the higher proportion of labor costs in prepared foods.

However, Jayson Lusk, head of agricultural economics at Purdue University, notes a critical psychological component for the industry to consider. "Consumer anxiety is increasingly driven by food prices and tariffs, not inflation as a general economic concept," Lusk told the Council on Foreign Relations in February. It is this anxiety that politicians are rushing to assuage.

The New Target: “Surveillance Pricing”
Perhaps the most significant development for retail technology vendors and data analysts is the emergence of "surveillance pricing" as a legislative target. Surveillance pricing refers to the practice of using consumer data—purchase history, location, and even biometric data—to set personalized prices or fluctuate prices in real-time based on demand. As retailers invest millions in Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) and AI-driven dynamic pricing models to optimize margins, lawmakers are characterizing these tools as predatory.

Leading the charge against this practice is the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026. Introduced in the Senate on February 12 by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the bill explicitly bans corporations from "leveraging new technologies" to raise grocery prices. "The bill aims to prohibit retail food stores from price gouging and engaging in surveillance-based price setting practices," the Senators stated in a press release.

In the House, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced companion legislation, H.R. 4966, which targets "personalized price gouging" where she claims stores use consumers’ sensitive personal information against them to raise prices. “The majority of Americans are stressed about rising grocery prices,” said Rep. Tlaib. “While our neighbors struggle, corporate grocery chains are feeding customer data into algorithms to decide who can be charged more. Companies should not be allowed to use electronic labeling or your personal information to charge you a higher price. We need to ban corporate price gouging and surveillance pricing.”

The Union Push
This legislative push is being bolstered by organized labor. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), representing 1.2 million workers, has launched the "Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign."

According to Store Brands, this national effort seeks to ban surveillance pricing and target the growth of AI-driven technology in grocery stores. The union argues that these technologies not only harm consumers but potentially devalue retail labor. For the industry, this signals a potential alignment between consumer advocacy groups and labor unions that could create a powerful lobbying block against retail automation.

The “Affordability Agenda” in Congress
Beyond the calls for specific bans on tech-enabled pricing, a broader "Affordability Agenda" is taking shape in the House, championed by the New Democrat Coalition, a group of of 115 House Democrats “who work across the aisle and across the Capitol to advance innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking policies.”

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), in collaboration with the New Democrat Coalition, recently unveiled a roadmap focusing on lowering five key costs, including household essentials like groceries. Similarly, Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) published an opinion piece outlining plans to address these "core costs crushing working Americans."

"The American people need a real plan to make life more affordable," Budzinski and Houlahan wrote, criticizing any dismissals of affordability concerns.

This rhetoric is intensifying along partisan lines. Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) on February 17 released a report utilizing House Budget Committee data to argue that the current administration's economic agenda is directly responsible for higher costs. "Families in Nevada were promised lower prices. Instead, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have delivered higher grocery bills," Lee stated in a press release, pointing specifically to tariffs as a crushing weight on working families.

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, too, pressed the administration for more action on food costs. In a February 5 statement, Sen. Kelly called on the current administration to work with Congress to lower food prices. “Arizona families cannot continue to bear the cost of rising food prices. I encourage you to take swift action and work with us to lower the price of food for American families. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter,” Kelly said.

State-Level Actions: Bans and Tax Cuts
While Washington debates, state legislatures are moving with speed. The approaches vary wildly depending on the political makeup of the state, presenting a patchwork compliance risk for national chains.

New York: Democrats have introduced two aggressive bills. The Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act specifically targets grocery stores and pharmacies, prohibiting personalized algorithmic pricing and electronic digital shelving labels. A broader bill, the One Fair Price Act, would ban most businesses from using personal data to make prices fluctuate. As reported on February 11 by News10, these bills would empower the New York Attorney General to sue companies and, crucially, allow private citizens to sue when they believe they are victims of price discrimination.

Maryland: Similar momentum is building in Annapolis. Maryland Matters reported on January 20 that HB0148, which would prohibit the use of personal or biometric data in price setting, has already begun committee hearings. The bill, backed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, targets the "customized prices" enabled by AI, despite objections from retail advocates who argue dynamic pricing can also benefit consumers through personalized discounts.

Tennessee & Missouri: In conservative-leaning states, the legislative weapon of choice is tax relief. In Tennessee, State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) filed the Fresh Food Affordability Act (House Bill 2086), which would eliminate the state sales tax on fresh fruits and vegetables. In Missouri, Senate Bill 1239, sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), aims to end both state and local sales tax on food and grocery items. "I am looking to increase affordability for Missourians as prices rise," Coleman told the Columbia Missourian.

The Looming Data Void
Amidst this flurry of activity, a quiet bureaucratic decision may hamper the industry's ability to understand the full scope of the crisis. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) reported in February that the USDA is ending its 30-year-old annual survey on food security, beginning with the cancellation of data collection for 2025.

This comes at a time when food insecurity remains stubbornly high—affecting 47.9 million people in 18.3 million U.S. households in 2024—and as SNAP benefits face historic cuts. The CBPP warns that "the absence of this data will make it harder for policymakers, researchers, and the public to measure the harm inflicted" by rising food costs.

Implications for the Industry
For the food and beverage sector, the message is multifaceted. The "tech-forward" future of retail—dynamic pricing, facial recognition, and hyper-personalization—is colliding with a populist backlash. Retailers investing in these technologies must now price in the risk of strict regulatory prohibitions.

Simultaneously, the foundational costs of doing business are shifting. Tariffs are raising input costs, while state-level tax repeals may offer some demand-side relief. As legislative initiatives mount, the industry must prepare for a year where the price on the shelf is determined as much by the statehouse as it is by the supply chain.

Steve Hoffman 2/26/26 Steve Hoffman 2/26/26

JAMBAR Introduces Certified Organic Minis: Big Energy, Perfectly Portioned

New size offers a smaller energy option for athletes, families and snackers. Visit Booth #N1843 at Expo West for official launch.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2026) — JAMBAR, the Certified Organic energy bar company founded by Jennifer Maxwell, co-creator of the original PowerBar®, is launching JAMBAR Minis. The new 1 oz-sized bars debut at Natural Products Expo West (Booth #N1843, North Hall, Level 200) to provide a flexible, smaller energy option for active consumers.

JAMBAR Minis are sold in 6-count boxes and are available in all five of the brand’s signature flavors: Musical Mango, Chocolate Cha Cha, Tropical Trio, Peanut Butter Malt Melody and Jammin’ Jazzleberry. The new line is available immediately for distributors, retailers and food service providers nationwide.

The mini bar was developed in response to growing consumer and retailer demand for flexible snacking options.

“We’ve heard consistently from families, athletes and retailers that they love JAMBAR’s ingredients and taste, but want more choices for how and when they fuel,” said Jennifer Maxwell, founder and CEO of JAMBAR. “Minis allow us to deliver organic, whole-food energy in a size that supports portion control and convenience.”

Snack-Sized Nutrition
Each 1 oz Mini contains 120 calories, putting it in the sweet spot of bridge snacks that satisfy hunger without replacing a meal. The smaller portion of carbohydrates provides a consistent dose of energy while helping to manage dramatic glucose spikes.

Consistent with the original product line, JAMBAR Minis are Certified Organic and contain ancient gluten-free grains, authentic natural sweeteners, and dried fruit or premium chocolate. Each Mini also has five grams of high quality protein, and is a great source of fiber.

Key Use Cases for JAMBAR Minis:

Convenience: Compact and durable for gym bags, pockets and purses.
Performance Fueling: Provides light, easily digestible workout fuel, ideal for endurance athletes who require smaller, more frequent energy intake before, during and after their workout.
Everyday Snacking: Sized appropriately for lunchboxes and mid-day bridge meals.

The Mini bars will also enhance JAMBAR’s extensive event sampling program, where the brand distributes more than 150,000 product samples annually across 300 sports, music and in-store events nationwide.

Expanding the Brand Vision
The launch was driven by both consumer and retailer demand. Families asked for smaller portions. Athletes wanted fuel in increments. Retailers sought a size that broadens snacking occasions and increases trial. Minis allow JAMBAR to attract new customers while serving loyal fans in new ways.

JAMBAR Minis are available now for retail and food service distribution. Visit Booth #N1843 in the North Hall at Expo West to learn more. For wholesale inquiries, contact sales@jambar.com.

About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBAR organic energy bars are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. A woman-owned, mission-based business, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support active living and music. JAMBARs are available in natural foods and grocery stores, sports specialty stores and online at Amazon.com. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042

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