There's a joke among people who you would think shop only at designer boutiques and organic markets that Target is the exception to the no-big-box rule: "It's pronounced Tar-jay, dahling."
Target certainly is the darling of the yuppie set with its affordable versions of designer duds and housewares by Michael Graves and Blu Dot. Now, Target is modernizing its grocery aisles with the introduction of its Simply Balanced line of food, which features items free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. About 40 percent of the new food line is certified organic, a step up from overly processed treats.
So far, the line consists mostly of snack items, but they're lower in salt and fat than similar items. Sunflower and flax seed crisps and hibiscus green tea are offered, as is a lightly salted popcorn and low-fat maple granola. Additional items will be introduced in coming months.
Target has pledged to refrain from using 105 common food additive ingredients in its Simply Balanced line, and most of its products are made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
In fact, as part of Target's commitment to wellness, the company is pledging to remove all GMOs from the Simply Balanced collection by the end of 2014 and will increase organic food offerings by an additional 25 percent by the end of 2017. About a year ago, Target started offering sustainable seafood in its stores.
With Target leading the way to reduce GMOs and stock its shelves with healthier foods, we're hoping all major retailers will follow suit.
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