I not going to claim the smarter bit, but I am going to take a crack at it.
Whether we like it or not, in our free market based society certain commercial mechanisms work "better" than others.("Better" is a loaded word here, in a pure business sense, the sense Angelique's question seems to insinuate - better = more market share.)
As Thereza M. points out, the coop structure makes for somewhat cumbersome and slow decision making processes, which in this day and age can have a severe negative impact on your (financial) business success. A priori I think it is too simplistic to assume that OV's model is "correct" for today's consumer environment and attribute Horizon's relative success to large company and marketing muscle.
In the end there is little we can do about that anyway except commiserate. Let's instead look at what can be improved in OV's model, there are plenty of examples out there where marketing smarts far outperforms marketing muscle.
I think the cattle hill company has been arranging soem raw stuff to prepare the nice doigs and cat food but there exist a problem of retailing these products as the most of the retailers has compalined about the low margins and even higher transportation cost charged by the suppliers.
Rob, keep up the great work yourself - we're excited to see how Sugarsnap develops into a model we can all learn from and leverage. I agree that this middle layer is critical, and that local farms and food retailers are key as well.
Angelique, your question is a great one, and I'm hoping that OV weighs in. My understanding is that Horizon connects in different ways with kids and families, and is more broadly sold - the fact that they are owned by a large company, are not a co-op, and handle their marketing differently seem relevant to me. In short, they produce a quality product and have the marketing muscle to reach the market.
Pure conjecture on my part. Anyone smarter want to take a crack?
All the laws passed mean nothing as long as consumers keep supporting them by buying the products. All the laws in the world will did not stop drugs. We as consumers must take responsibility of this, of course they will continue if all we do is wine and pay big money for the processed crap they sell. The consumer is god, action with $ is the only way to stop this. Buy local organic food.
Lee, love this topic and thanks for initiating the discussion! One thing I don't understand - wonder if you discussed with Marquez - is why Organic Valley's market share has been dropping. I don't get why Horizon is doing better than OV at similar prices. OV's practices are far better and truer to the ideals of organic farming.
This is an inspiring post that makes me want the next part(s) now!
The idea of rebuilding the middle in agriculture is so important. I'm also a firm believer that more local ownership of food retailing is a key complement to what Organic Valley and other companies are doing. That is the vision behind my company, Sugarsnap in Burlington, VT.
i do have the perfect job, thanks cheryl! and thanks so much for making it so. i was thrilled to see you try the collards and the goat. can you believe the meal was more than 85% local?
thanks again, liza. i agree that money is an issue, and also that it's not the only one. you're right that our first priority when it comes to food is to fill our hunger, and - for many people - only after that can we concern ourselves with exactly what we're using to fill the void.
I think partnerships are necessary, but usually when we try to build those with CSAs/farms/dairies, peaople are pretty open to it. It is essential that there is more money (federal and tax support) to really help support this. In my family we make it a choice to make quality food a priority, but when the choice is a housing, clothing or organic food, the food will likely loose out. As more people become informed more noise is being made, but there must be money, and I really believe it needs to federal at least to some extent, to support it.
I wish you'd asked her about
I wish you'd asked her about this lawsuit:
http://fromanimaltomeat.com/2009/12/18/torn-over-organic-valley/
I not going to claim the
I not going to claim the smarter bit, but I am going to take a crack at it.
Whether we like it or not, in our free market based society certain commercial mechanisms work "better" than others.("Better" is a loaded word here, in a pure business sense, the sense Angelique's question seems to insinuate - better = more market share.)
As Thereza M. points out, the coop structure makes for somewhat cumbersome and slow decision making processes, which in this day and age can have a severe negative impact on your (financial) business success. A priori I think it is too simplistic to assume that OV's model is "correct" for today's consumer environment and attribute Horizon's relative success to large company and marketing muscle.
In the end there is little we can do about that anyway except commiserate. Let's instead look at what can be improved in OV's model, there are plenty of examples out there where marketing smarts far outperforms marketing muscle.
Just a thought off the wall of
TR
I think the cattle hill
I think the cattle hill company has been arranging soem raw stuff to prepare the nice doigs and cat food but there exist a problem of retailing these products as the most of the retailers has compalined about the low margins and even higher transportation cost charged by the suppliers.
Thanks Rob and
Thanks Rob and Angelique,
Rob, keep up the great work yourself - we're excited to see how Sugarsnap develops into a model we can all learn from and leverage. I agree that this middle layer is critical, and that local farms and food retailers are key as well.
Angelique, your question is a great one, and I'm hoping that OV weighs in. My understanding is that Horizon connects in different ways with kids and families, and is more broadly sold - the fact that they are owned by a large company, are not a co-op, and handle their marketing differently seem relevant to me. In short, they produce a quality product and have the marketing muscle to reach the market.
Pure conjecture on my part. Anyone smarter want to take a crack?
Thanks again,
Lee
All the laws passed mean
All the laws passed mean nothing as long as consumers keep supporting them by buying the products. All the laws in the world will did not stop drugs. We as consumers must take responsibility of this, of course they will continue if all we do is wine and pay big money for the processed crap they sell. The consumer is god, action with $ is the only way to stop this. Buy local organic food.
Lee, love this topic and
Lee, love this topic and thanks for initiating the discussion! One thing I don't understand - wonder if you discussed with Marquez - is why Organic Valley's market share has been dropping. I don't get why Horizon is doing better than OV at similar prices. OV's practices are far better and truer to the ideals of organic farming.
Hey Lee, This is an inspiring
Hey Lee,
This is an inspiring post that makes me want the next part(s) now!
The idea of rebuilding the middle in agriculture is so important. I'm also a firm believer that more local ownership of food retailing is a key complement to what Organic Valley and other companies are doing. That is the vision behind my company, Sugarsnap in Burlington, VT.
Keep up the great work!
Cheers,
Rob Smart
a.k.a., @Jambutter
i do have the perfect job,
i do have the perfect job, thanks cheryl! and thanks so much for making it so. i was thrilled to see you try the collards and the goat. can you believe the meal was more than 85% local?
thanks again, liza. i agree
thanks again, liza. i agree that money is an issue, and also that it's not the only one. you're right that our first priority when it comes to food is to fill our hunger, and - for many people - only after that can we concern ourselves with exactly what we're using to fill the void.
I think partnerships are
I think partnerships are necessary, but usually when we try to build those with CSAs/farms/dairies, peaople are pretty open to it. It is essential that there is more money (federal and tax support) to really help support this. In my family we make it a choice to make quality food a priority, but when the choice is a housing, clothing or organic food, the food will likely loose out. As more people become informed more noise is being made, but there must be money, and I really believe it needs to federal at least to some extent, to support it.