FREDERICK, Md. (Map, News) - Loyal customers and a continued vow of product quality has kept business as usual for smaller businesses, even as large food stores heighten competition by selling organic produce.

“Our products are fresh, grown locally and are great tasting,” said Ghassan Neshawat, owner of the Jasmine Farms cooperative in Glenwood.

“That’s why people shop here.”

But the rising number of supermarket stores carrying organic foods has made it more difficult for smaller cooperatives to keep up the pace.

Many of them have expanded their stores to appease the demands of the public and the growth of the natural food industry.

“The organic industry is bursting out of the seams,” said Ellen Joy, supplement manager at Roots Market in Clarksville, an 11,000-square-foot all-natural food store.

Joy said larger companies, such as Whole Foods and Wal-Mart that now carry organic foods, are major sources of competition and sell the food for much cheaper prices.

“We buy local produce when we can, we stay as organic as possible and buy as clean as we can [without pesticides],” Joy said. “We also have many more people here to help customers than most large natural grocers.”

For Jasmine Farms, expansion was the only option. It opened in 1999 as a roadside stand that sold wholesale produce to small stores, Neshawat said

When that failed, it turned into a farmers’ market, and eventually a co-op.

“It was the only way we could stay in business,” Neshawat said.

He said 90 percent of what is grown on the farm is sent to the co-op, and the remaining 10 percent is sent to a farmers’ market in Gaithersburg to create an even bigger profit.

The Common Market cooperative in Frederick is opening a new store July 29 to allow for expansion and additional products.

The idea behind this expansion is not only to promote healthier eating by buying organic food, but to encourage people to support local farms in Frederick County.

mshapiro@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:24 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Home Depot drops South City proposal"

Conscientious Observer said:
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 25-28 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen April 4th, 9th, 10th & twice on the

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8:24 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Southwest Airlines brings low-cost flights to Dulles"

Examiner Reader said:
Are there flights out of MacArthur Airport on Long Island New York to Washington Dulles

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3:29 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008 re: "A complaint about delivery of The Baltimore Examiner"

Examiner Reader said:
I understand that we should not choose a President based on his religious beliefs,but tell me---how can we support a President in defending our country when he doesn"t even believe in pledging allegiance to it!!!!?????

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9:31 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "New alarm aimed at fighting construction theft"

Examiner Reader said:
The Dewalt system is good for notification but the alarm only sounds for 20 seconds and shuts off. The alarm is not loud at all if it were in the middle of a large job site nobody would hear it.

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9:20 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 30, 2007 re: "Celsion CEO resigns as firm deals to retain market listing"

Makis said:
Nice!

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10:19 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
I can't believe Fort Monmouth has a bunch of whinos have they ever heard of commuting on the Acela from New Jersey every morning my guess is no.

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10:39 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "Hale keeps his focus on achieving success"

Examiner Reader said:
Ed Hale is a real inspiration. He's the perfect model of the American dream. LL Detroit

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12:06 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
fort monmouth should close down! it's a waste of tax payers money. (civilian employee's have 2 hour lunch breaks, there is so much infidelity going on there, sex in parking lot, etc) The come and go as they please, and we the tax payers pay for this. Put the money where it is needed, in defense!

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