As consumers become increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware, the demand for organic food products continues to soar. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales reached a record high of $50.1 billion in 2019, up 4.6% from the previous year. More and more shoppers are seeking out the USDA Organic seal when filling their carts.
One retailer that has taken notice of this growing trend and has expanded their organic offerings in a big way is Aldi. The German-based discount supermarket chain is on a mission to make organic food accessible to all shoppers, not just those with a Whole Foods budget.
"We know more of our customers are looking for organic options, but they still want Aldi prices," said Scott Patton, Vice President of Corporate Buying at Aldi U.S. "Buying organic no longer has to mean premium prices."
In recent years, Aldi has undergone a significant expansion of their organic and all-natural product lines. Since 2018, they‘ve increased their Simply Nature organic brand offerings by an impressive 40%. By the end of 2019, the Simply Nature line included over 230 products across nearly every category in the store.
If you‘re an organic-minded shopper on a budget, Aldi is quickly becoming the ultimate destination. But what specific organic products does Aldi offer and how do they stack up in terms of quality and price compared to other stores? As a grocery retail expert and picky organic shopper myself, I put Aldi‘s organic selection to the test.
Identifying Organic Products at Aldi
Most of Aldi‘s organic products are consolidated under their Simply Nature private label brand. Simply Nature products contain the USDA Organic seal and feature eye-catching green and tan packaging that stands out on shelf.
"With Simply Nature, we‘re able to offer our shoppers convenient access to certified organic products at an affordable price," said Patton. "Providing healthy, high-quality options shouldn‘t be pretentious."
In addition to USDA Organic certification, the Simply Nature brand maintains a strict list of over 125 ingredients that are excluded from all products, such as artificial flavors, synthetic colors, high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, and partially hydrogenated oils. "We have high standards for what goes into a Simply Nature product," added Patton.
When browsing Aldi‘s aisles, keep an eye out for the Simply Nature logo, as well as green shelf tags and signage that designate organic items. Store employees receive special training on the Simply Nature brand standards to assist shoppers.
Aldi‘s Organic Offerings by Category
So what will you find on an organic grocery haul at your local Aldi? Here‘s an overview of the categories and products available, though exact selection may vary by store.
Organic Produce
Aldi‘s organic produce section covers all the bases, from salad essentials to seasonal picks. During a typical shopping trip, you might find:
- Simply Nature Organic Spring Mix or Spinach ($2.49)
- Simply Nature Organic Baby Carrots ($1.39)
- Organic Bananas ($0.59/lb)
- Organic Honeycrisp or Gala Apples ($2.99/2 lb bag)
- Organic Grape Tomatoes ($2.49)
- Organic Mini Sweet Peppers ($2.99)
- Organic Broccoli ($2.29)
Aldi‘s organic produce is some of the most competitive in the market when it comes to price. Their 5 oz clamshells of organic spring mix are regularly $1-2 cheaper than the comparable Whole Foods or Kroger options.
"I always stock up on organic produce at Aldi, especially the greens and berries when they‘re in season," said Amanda Davis, a Utah-based mom and budget organics shopper. "I‘ve found the quality to be really fresh and the prices are so much better than other stores."
To maximize freshness, Aldi stores receive produce shipments daily and employees are trained in proper rotation practices. Still, it‘s a good habit to always check the bag and look for the furthest out expiration date when shopping organic produce anywhere.
Organic Dairy & Eggs
If organic milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs are on your list, Aldi has you covered with a solid selection under their Simply Nature line. On average, their organic dairy products come in at 20-40% lower in price than competitors like Whole Foods 365 brand.
Some of the most popular organic dairy items at Aldi include:
- Simply Nature Organic Whole Milk ($2.95/half gallon)
- Simply Nature Organic Plain Whole Milk Yogurt ($2.99/32 oz tub)
- Simply Nature Organic Cage Free Grade A Large Brown Eggs ($3.29/dozen)
- Simply Nature Organic Shredded Mozzarella or Mild Cheddar ($2.69/6 oz)
Many shoppers rave about the taste and quality of Aldi‘s organic milk in particular. "It has a slightly sweet, ultra fresh flavor that reminds me of milk straight from the farm," said one reviewer on the popular ProductReview platform. "And you can‘t beat $2.95 for a half gallon of organic milk. I won‘t buy it anywhere else now."
Organic Meats
When it comes to organic meat, Aldi offers a solid core selection of organic ground beef, chicken breasts, and chicken sausage under the Simply Nature label.
Their organic grass-fed ground beef is one of the most popular items, averaging $5.49 per lb. That‘s around $2-3 less per pound than organic grass-fed ground beef at Whole Foods or other natural grocers. Aldi shoppers give the organic ground beef top marks for its fresh taste and clean ingredient panel.
"I love using Aldi‘s organic ground beef for my weeknight family dinners," said Jaime Contois, a Chicago-area food blogger focused on organic eating. "It has a really nice flavor and texture. I feel good about the quality and the price is unbeatable."
For organic poultry, Aldi recently expanded their Simply Nature line to include both fresh and frozen options like organic chicken breast for $5.89 per pound and organic spicy Italian chicken sausage for $4.99 per 12 oz package.
Organic Pantry Staples
Aldi makes it easy to stock your pantry with organic essentials thanks to their extensive and affordable Simply Nature line. On a typical trip, you‘ll find a wide variety of organic goods like:
- Simply Nature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($3.89/16.9 oz)
- Simply Nature Organic Tahini ($3.79/10 oz)
- Simply Nature Organic Black Beans ($0.79/15 oz can)
- Simply Nature Organic Diced Tomatoes ($1.49/28 oz can)
- Simply Nature Organic Peanut Butter ($3.99/16 oz jar)
- Simply Nature Organic Apple Cider Vinegar ($2.49/16 oz)
- Simply Nature Organic Honey ($3.49/12 oz)
The prices on Aldi‘s organic pantry staples easily beat out other stores. Their 16.9 fl oz bottle of organic EVOO is almost half the price of the Whole Foods 365 version. An organic 15 oz can of black beans will run you $0.99 at Whole Foods, compared to $0.79 at Aldi.
Aldi‘s organic nut butters are another standout, made with minimal ingredients and available in peanut, almond, and cashew varieties starting at $3.99 per jar. According to a price check by the Kitchn, the same amount of organic peanut butter costs $4.99 at Trader Joe‘s and $5.99 at Whole Foods.
Organic Snacks
Aldi doesn‘t disappoint when it comes to tasty organic snacks at affordable prices. Their Simply Nature snack line covers salty and sweet cravings with options like:
- Simply Nature Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips ($1.99/10 oz bag)
- Simply Nature Organic Hummus ($2.29/8 oz tub)
- Simply Nature Organic Popcorn ($1.99/6 pack)
- Simply Nature Organic Fruit Leathers ($2.99/6 pack)
- Simply Nature Organic Yogurt Squeezes ($4.29/8 pack)
For comparison, a 7.5 oz bag of 365 Organic Sea Salt Popcorn at Whole Foods is $2.99, while Aldi‘s 6 oz organic popcorn bags come in a 6 pack for just $1.99.
"The Simply Nature organic popcorn and blue corn chips are a staple in my pantry," said organic deal blogger Carrie Phelps. "They taste great, have simple ingredients, and you can‘t beat the price for a multi-pack."
What the Experts Say About Aldi Organics
To get a pulse on how Aldi organics truly stack up in the industry, I reached out to a few leading voices in the organic and natural food retail space.
"Aldi is a sleeping giant in the organic category," said Errol Schweizer, host of The Checkout podcast and former Vice President of Grocery at Whole Foods Market. "They‘ve taken a strategic approach to growing their organic assortment and are laser-focused on price. I think they have the potential to make organics even more mainstream."
Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, a consumer research firm specializing in health and wellness trends, also sees Aldi‘s success in organics as a larger shift in the market. "Aldi is challenging the notion that organic has to be premium-priced and niche," she explained. "They‘re playing a key role in democratizing the organic product space."
Demeritt noted that Aldi‘s approach is in line with broader consumer sentiment. In a recent Hartman Group survey, nearly half of consumers said they would buy more organic products if they were less expensive. "Aldi is speaking directly to that need in the market right now," said Demeritt.
Tips for Shopping Aldi Organics
As a picky organic shopper myself, I‘ve learned a few strategies for making the most of my trips to Aldi. Here are my top tips:
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Know when to shop: Aldi stores typically get new product shipments daily and do inventory resets on Wednesday nights. Shopping on Thursdays is your best bet for scoring the newest organic deals and fully stocked shelves.
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Double check the labels: While Aldi is expanding their organic offerings, not everything in the Simply Nature line is USDA Organic certified. Some items are only Non-GMO Project Verified or contain some organic ingredients. Make sure to look for the USDA Organic seal.
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Be flexible: Since Aldi has a smaller footprint than larger grocery stores, their organic options may be more limited. Go in with a flexible list and be open to trying new organic products as you find them.
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Bring your reusable bags: Aldi doesn‘t provide free bags at checkout and charges for both paper and plastic. Come prepared with your own reusable grocery bags or even laundry baskets to carry your organic haul.
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Take advantage of the Twice As Nice Guarantee: If you‘re not satisfied with an organic product, Aldi will not only replace it but also refund your money. Knowing you can get a refund makes it easy to try new organic products risk-free.
With these tips in your back pocket, you‘re ready to navigate Aldi‘s organic aisles like a pro and rack up on affordable, high-quality finds.
The Final Word
So what‘s the bottom line on Aldi‘s organic offerings? After reviewing the products across every category and comparing prices to other stores, I feel confident declaring Aldi a top choice for budget-minded organic shoppers.
Their Simply Nature brand‘s strict standards, wide variety of organic staples, and hard-to-beat prices make it easier than ever to incorporate more organic items into your grocery routine. And with their aggressive plans for expansion, Aldi‘s organic footprint will only continue to grow.
"We‘re excited to keep adding more organic products to our shelves and making organic food an affordable reality for more shoppers," said Aldi‘s Patton. "Staying on trend with our customers‘ needs will always be a top priority."
Of course, as with any grocery retailer, it‘s still important to do your own label reading, keep an eye on expiration dates, and let your taste buds be the final judge. But I‘m confident that organic-seeking Aldi shoppers will be more than satisfied with the options and prices available to them.
The next time you‘re looking to stock up on organic groceries without draining your wallet, consider swinging by your local Aldi. With a little savvy shopping, you might just become an Aldi organic fan for life.
