Author(s): Jolly Masih, Harvinder Singh and Chahat Masih
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people view and consume organic foods. This research investigates how organic foods have moved from being a niche market to becoming mainstream. By analyzing 300,000 social media responses from platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, reviews, and forums, this study covers the periods before COVID-19 (2015-2019) and after (2020-2024). The goal was to understand how consumer sentiments and regional differences in discussions about organic foods have evolved. The findings show a significant rise in positive sentiments towards organic foods, largely due to increased health awareness and environmental concerns. Social media played a crucial role in shaping consumer behaviour, highlighting the benefits of organic foods. The Post-COVID era saw a more diverse group of people engaging with organic foods. This study also underscores how the increased consumption of organic foods aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15). These insights are valuable for developing policies and market strategies to support and expand the organic food sector in line with sustainability goals.