What you stock and from whom, could determine the future of your organic shop.
◊ By Rutaksha Rawat
So, you’ve finally decided to start your own Organic store and have found a nice little location with heavy footfall.
But what if the organic products you stock turn out to be fake and not really authentic? This is a valid concern, considering you’ll sell products claiming to be purer than the conventional—likely at a greater price than regular fare.
Which products does a wholesome organic store need to stock to keep consumers coming back time and again?
Must everything be organic certified or can some products be tolerated as simply ‘chemical free’ (without organic certification but also without chemicals or additives).
Furthermore, among the certified products, which certifications are for which products?
It’s all very overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the terrain.
This author has put together a list of product categories you could consider keeping in your organic store, along with some personal recommendations regarding certification status.
In case of artisanal foods, preferably stock those that use organic ingredients at least in part.
For your reference:
NPOP certification (depicted by the ‘India Organic’ logo) indicates the product is organic and can be exported to foreign countries.
PGS certification also indicates that the product is organic but PGS products are meant for domestic retail only. Since your store is in India, you can safely opt for PGS-certified products.
GOTS is the organic certification for textiles. So, any fabric claiming to be organic needs to have the GOTS label, including organic sanitary napkins and baby diapers.
ECOCERT Cosmos is the organic certification for cosmetics and skincare products.
‘Chemical free’ products are products that are not organic but are devoid of chemicals/additives/preservatives.
Some products are not organic certified but are desirable, such as artisanal cheeses, vegan ice cream, natural cleaners, etc. They can be stocked at your store, provided they are chemical free and devoid of any additives, including preservatives.
PRODUCTS TO STOCK IN YOUR
ORGANIC STORE
1] Dals – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
2] Spices – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
3] Rice – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
4] Atta and other flours – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
5] Vegetable cold pressed oils – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
6] Processed foods & ready to eat snacks, chips, etc – Must be chemical free, if not certified organic.
7] Millet noodles & organic noodles – Must be chemical free; preferably organic certified.
8] Organic baby foods – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
9] A2 milk ghee – Must be additive free, if not certified. Try to source from those who have own dairy farm.
10] A2 milk, paneer – Must be additive free, if not certified. Try to source from those who have own dairy farm in your city/town.
11] Fruits & vegetables – Look for a reliable supplier with an organic/chemical free farm in the outskirts of your town/city, who can supply fresh produce on a regular basis. Farm should preferably be PGS/NPOP certified.
12] Tea, coffee, tisanes – Tea/coffee must be PGS/NPOP certified. Tisane must be chemical free, if not certified. Try to source directly from an organic tea/coffee estate.
13] Herbs – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
14] Dry fruits – Must be chemical free, if not certified. Try to source from region of cultivation to get the freshest, crunchiest stock.
15] Edible seeds – Must be chemical free, if not certified.
16] Pickles – Must be chemical free & preferably small-batch and handcrafted.
17] Sweets, jaggery & chocolates – Must be PGS/NPOP certified.
18] Vegan icecreams & additive-free icecreams – Must be chemical free and preferably made from organic ingredients.
19] Artisanal cheese – Must be additive free. Try to source from those who have own dairy farm.
20] Free range eggs – Must be antibiotic free. Source directly from poultry farm.
21] Organic bread /artisanal bread/additive free bread – Must be additive free. Source from a local baker.
22] Sauces, jams & jellies – Must be chemical free.
23] Raw honey/organic honey – Must be chemical free, if not certified. You could source directly from an apiary.
24] Nut butters – Must be chemical free, preferably organic certified.
25] Cold pressed juices & artisanal/organic beverages/kombucha – Must be chemical free, if not certified. Preferably, the ingredients used in the drinks should be organic.
26] Vegan meat – Must be chemical free.
27] Almond & soya milk – Must be chemical free.
28] Cosmetics – Must be Ecocert certified. If the end product is not certified, at least the ingredients must be organic certified and proof submitted thereof.
29] Soaps, lotions, shampoos-bath & body products – Must be Ecocert Cosmos Organic certified. If the end product is not certified, at least the ingredients must be organic certified and proof submitted thereof.
30] Sanitary napkins – Must be GOTS certified, if they claim to be organic. If not organic, then opt for biodegradable ones.
31] Organic diapers for kids – Must be GOTS certified.
32] Organic cotton underwear for men & women – Must be GOTS certified.
33] Natural accessories-bamboo toothbrush, loofa, comb, utensil brush (juna), earthen utensils, eco-friendly water bottles.
34] Cleaning agents for the home (dishwasher, floor cleaner, washing powder, etc) – Must be chemical free.
35] Natural agarbatti & dhoop – Must be chemical free. Opt for flower-based or cowdung-based agarbatti and dhoop.
36] Home gardening organic fertiliser, vermicompost, etc – Must be chemical free, if not certified.
37] Home gardening jeevamrut & panchagavya – Preferably being prepared and sold by an organic farmer.
38] Composting bucket for home.
39] Biodegradable trash bags for home.
If you’d like to contact authentic suppliers of organic products for your retail store, please write in at:
