Comments on: VIEWPOINT: Organic Prices Rice—So What! http://blog.thenibble.com/2008/04/19/viewpoint-organic-prices-rice%e2%80%94so-what/ Adventures In The World Of Fine Food Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:46:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Nibble Editors http://blog.thenibble.com/2008/04/19/viewpoint-organic-prices-rice%e2%80%94so-what/comment-page-1/#comment-804 Nibble Editors Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:10:48 +0000 http://blog.thenibble.com/2008/04/19/viewpoint-organic-prices-rice%e2%80%94so-what/#comment-804 Dana, We are not being confrontational, but as editors, we need to change your description of our viewpoint from “elitist” to “elite.” THE NIBBLE is a magazine that writes about elite (the most choice or select) foods. It is de facto an elite publication. “Elitist” indicates a belief in rule by an elite class. Our readers comprise a psychographic group that chooses to prioritize fine food as a budgetary expense. As you are probably aware, pursuit of the best foods is not based on demographics. There are schoolteachers and others with relatively low incomes who forgo other things to pay for fine wines and cheeses, while there are millionaires who don't care enough to spend a nickel on either. Research done by the NASFT, the specialty food trade association, shows that a higher percentage of people in their 20’s, raised in an era of more adventuresome palates and access to global cuisines, spend much more of their lower discretionary incomes on specialty food than do wealthier empty nesters. In terms of your comment that $11 a week to buy organic is a hardship for many people who might like to do so, we acknowledged that in our post. At the same time, we were not speaking to the general public, but asking our affluent NIBBLE readers to consider eating more organic food. Research shows that our readers’ average income is high, and that they have purchasing behaviors (amount spent on restaurant meals and vacations, e.g.) that indicate that an incremental $11 a week is easily affordable. While we recognize that we also have readers who are not in that ballpark, most people who read a specialty food magazine or blog do so because they spend money on higher-priced specialty foods—and they are less likely to be the cash-strapped young families and older citizens you refer to. In addressing our readership, we in no way meant to be insensitive to those who do have the desire, but not the money, to purchase more organic products. THE NIBBLE Editors Dana,

We are not being confrontational, but as editors, we need to change your description of our viewpoint from “elitist” to “elite.” THE NIBBLE is a magazine that writes about elite (the most choice or select) foods. It is de facto an elite publication. “Elitist” indicates a belief in rule by an elite class.

Our readers comprise a psychographic group that chooses to prioritize fine food as a budgetary expense. As you are probably aware, pursuit of the best foods is not based on demographics. There are schoolteachers and others with relatively low incomes who forgo other things to pay for fine wines and cheeses, while there are millionaires who don’t care enough to spend a nickel on either. Research done by the NASFT, the specialty food trade association, shows that a higher percentage of people in their 20’s, raised in an era of more adventuresome palates and access to global cuisines, spend much more of their lower discretionary incomes on specialty food than do wealthier empty nesters.

In terms of your comment that $11 a week to buy organic is a hardship for many people who might like to do so, we acknowledged that in our post. At the same time, we were not speaking to the general public, but asking our affluent NIBBLE readers to consider eating more organic food. Research shows that our readers’ average income is high, and that they have purchasing behaviors (amount spent on restaurant meals and vacations, e.g.) that indicate that an incremental $11 a week is easily affordable. While we recognize that we also have readers who are not in that ballpark, most people who read a specialty food magazine or blog do so because they spend money on higher-priced specialty foods—and they are less likely to be the cash-strapped young families and older citizens you refer to. In addressing our readership, we in no way meant to be insensitive to those who do have the desire, but not the money, to purchase more organic products.

THE NIBBLE Editors

]]> By: Dana Jacobi http://blog.thenibble.com/2008/04/19/viewpoint-organic-prices-rice%e2%80%94so-what/comment-page-1/#comment-775 Dana Jacobi Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:12:14 +0000 http://blog.thenibble.com/2008/04/19/viewpoint-organic-prices-rice%e2%80%94so-what/#comment-775 What an elitist viewpoint. Adding $11 to the weekly grocery bill may be a blip for those buying fancy coffee. But as a growing number of people understand the importance of organic food for their body and the earth, this includes many who are not so economically advantaged. For some, especially young families and older citizens, this rise, accompanied by the increasing price of all other food and living expenses, will lead to tough decisions at the supermarket. I do not say the increase is worse for organic than for other foods, but do not dismiss it so cavalierly. Dana What an elitist viewpoint. Adding $11 to the weekly grocery bill may be a blip for those buying fancy coffee. But as a growing number of people understand the importance of organic food for their body and the earth, this includes many who are not so economically advantaged. For some, especially young families and older citizens, this rise, accompanied by the increasing price of all other food and living expenses, will lead to tough decisions at the supermarket. I do not say the increase is worse for organic than for other foods, but do not dismiss it so cavalierly.

Dana

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