The organic packaged food industry sells packaged organic food to consumers through large retailers like grocery stores (Publix), big box retailers (Wal-mart) and Warehouse Clubs (BJs/Sam's Club). These retailers buy from manufacturers OR have their own organic product line (like Whole Food's 365 brand).

Some of the specific companies that compete in this industry are Kraft Foods, Whole Foods, General Mills, Publix, Trader Joe's, Kellogg's, Mondelez, Nestle, Con-Agra, Tyson, Nabisco, Frito-Lay The Hain Celestial Group. Some specific brands in this industry are Amy's Kitchen, Publix Greenwise, 365, Applegate, Annie's Homegrown, Kashi, Bob's Red Mill, Cascadian Farm, Earth's Best. These brands may be produced by a larger conglomerate who produces both organic and non-organic food, OR by smaller companies that only sell organic products.

Assignment: Conduct a 5-forces analysis of the organic packaged food industry's competitive forces using the "Five Forces Model of Competition

Focus on the part of the industry that sell meals, entrees, and side dishes and snacks (not beverages or desserts)

A. For each of the five competitive forces, list what/who are the forces (e.g. for "Intensity of Rivalry Among Existing Competitors" - describe who are the rivals? For "The Threat Posed by Substitute Products" - tell us what are the substitute products? Then list who are buyers, who are suppliers, who are potential new entrants.

B. Rate each force as strong, medium or weak in one easy to read table or chart

C. For each force, explain why you gave it that rating

D. Write summary of your conclusions from this analysis and what it means for industry profitability. (read about how to interpret a 5 forces analysis)