MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. is expanding its selection of natural and sustainable products by partnering with 17 established brands.

Target Corp. is expanding its selection of natural and sustainable products by partnering with 17 established brands.

Target’s partners are among the nation’s top-selling natural and organic brands; each already sells its products to Target. The retailer challenged the partners to come up with new items or innovate with existing products to be featured in the exclusive “Made to Matter — Handpicked by Target” collection.

The collection is expected to grow to 120 items as products are added through the summer, Target said on April 8.

Such items as bleach-free baby diapers and non-aerosol air fresheners began appearing in Target Stores late last month.

"Our guests are looking for products they can feel good about bringing home," Kathee Tesija, Target’s executive vice president of merchandising and supply chain, said in a statement. "We’re taking the guesswork out of buying better-for-you products by bringing together 17 trusted brands."

Participating brands are Annie’s Homegrown, Burt’s Bees, Chobani, Clif Bar, Ella’s Kitchen, EVOL, Horizon Organic, Hyland’s, Kashi, Method, Plum Organics, Seventh Generation, SheaMoisture, Target’s Simply Balanced, Vita Coco, Yes To and Zarbee’s Naturals.

"Target really is a leader in the natural space, and their consumer is looking for safe and effective products that they can get at a great value," says Zarbee’s founder Zac Zarbock.

The brands will appear throughout Target Stores, including the baby, health and beauty, grocery, and household aisles, and as part of specialized collection displays, Target says. All items are exclusive to Target for at least six months.

Organic food accounted for about 4% of food sold in the United States in 2012, the last year for which figures are available.

Sales of organic food were up 10.2% to $29 billion in 2012 and were projected to keep climbing at close to a double-digit pace, according to the Organic Trade Association. Growth in the category has outpaced the industry overall in recent years, bolstered by increasing demand for less-processed food made from natural ingredients.