In addition to his prolific fundraising activities that have generated more than $100 million for numerous charities, Neal Zeavy supports new businesses as an angel investor. In 2016, Neal Zeavy invested in Nic’s Organic Fast Food, one of the first fast-food chains offering 100 percent organic produce.
According to Nielsen data on organic products, organic food sales in the United States reached more than 20 billion dollars in 2018, a nine-percent increase year over year. Interest in organic products has become more mainstream as more consumers consider factors such as sustainability and ethical sourcing when making purchases. The demand for organically-grown fruits and vegetables is particularly high amongst Millennials, who are more environmentally-conscious about their food choices.
The largest segment of organic food customers are concerned about the pesticides or toxins in conventionally-grown produce but are not deeply knowledgeable on organic farming practices. Most members of this consumer segment rely on organic certification labels administered by the USDA to make purchasing decisions. More sophisticated consumers may prefer to buy organic produce from small, locally-run farms.
