Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM): 1 Stock to Buy for February

This isn’t a fad, it’s a long-term trend
But beyond the numbers, there’s an even more important story taking place here. People in the United States are beginning to realize that the relationship they have with the food they put in their bodies is an important one. It’s one that shouldn’t be largely delegated to fast-food restaurants and TV-dinner companies.

My wife and I have spent part of the last three years volunteering on a small family-run organic coffee farm in Costa Rica. Two years ago, the farm was getting about 10 people — mostly American and Canadian — per month visiting to take a tour of its operations. These days, there are about 10 people visiting per week.

This isn’t a fad our country is going through; it’s a return to healthy eating. Since 2000, sales of organic foods and beverages have increased from $6.1 billion to $29.2 billion in 2011.

And yet, when you look at the industry as a whole, there’s still tons of room for growth.

Source: Organic Trade Association. Amounts in billions.

As of 2011, organic products still represented only 4.5% of all food and beverage purchases. Even a pretty modest goal of 15% penetration in 10 years means a more than tripling of market share. When you combine that with the fact that Whole Foods believes it can build 1,000 stores state-side — and is only at 344 now — you can see why I think the company is worth buying.

The article 1 Stock to Buy for February originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Brian Stoffel.

Fool contributor Brian Stoffel owns shares of Apple, Google, Baidu, Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFM), and Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Baidu, Google, Intuitive Surgical, and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Baidu, Google, Intuitive Surgical, and Whole Foods Market.

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