Organic at Expo West

The Organic Trade Association and The Organic Center are looking forward to a number of opportunities to bring people together for business, networking, and socializing at Natural Products Expo West. 2019 details will be made availabe soon, so please check back!

Check out highlights below from this year's Annual Benefit Dinner!

Organic science, organic inspiration, organic food, organic fun. These all came together for more than 500 organic visionaries, activists and businesses on March 8 at The Organic Center's 15th Annual Benefit Dinner in Anaheim, resulting in just over $450,000 raised – a new record -- to further the good work of the non-profit research and education organization.

The celebration, whose theme this year was "Bringing Science to Life," featured award-winning actress, organic entrepreneur and philanthropist Jennifer Garner as the keynote speaker. The highly anticipated event – the single biggest fundraising event for The Organic Center and the largest business networking dinner at Natural Products Expo West – also highlighted new organic research, featured a scrumptious all-organic feast created by Chef Matthew Raiford, live entertainment (and dancing!) and a benefit raffle with the grand prize an organic mattress.

Dr. Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for The Center, said it had been an "incredible" year since the 2017 gala: "We set out to bring you major scientific advances around the big topics you care about – things like soil health, climate change, our health and the health of the planet, and this year's research has been absolutely explosive."

Shade highlighted the findings just released from a collaboration between the University of Virginia and The Organic Center showing that organic farming can help reduce nitrogen pollution on a global scale. This study, she explained, shows that organic farming – through its recycling of nitrogen – contributes far less to the pool of new reactive nitrogen in the environment and can help to alleviate the critical problem of nitrogen pollution. Shade said that The Center now has ten active projects with universities and government institutions, with two on track to publish in the next year. 

"This year's benefit was the biggest and the most successful since The Organic Center came under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association five years ago," said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. "It's been a true honor to be able to help The Center thrive, and we look forward to the exciting projects ahead."

Below is a snapshot of topics presented at OTA's 2018 Organic Education Sessions:

State of the Organic Industry: Market Outlook and Hot Topics.

Consumer demand for organic has grown by double-digits nearly every year since the 1990’s. But can organic survive in the current era? Amid the Trump Administration’s failure to implement thoroughly vetted organic regulations, a marketplace that has a fascination with alternative labels that do not meet the basic requirements for organic, and ongoing challenges with supply chain integrity, learn what’s being done to ensure the hard built standards and consumer trust of organic continue to thrive.

Organic 101

New to the industry? Come here to learn the basics of what the organic label does (and doesn’t) mean, how it is enforced, and why it is the gold standard for food the world around. Click here for more information on this session.

Growing Organic: Supply Chain Integrity

As the organic industry stretches to meet consumer demand, the global organic supply chain has become more complex. With increasing complexity comes the need for enhanced attention to organic integrity. Fraud cannot be tolerated in the organic system, because fraud takes value out of the organic chain, and hurts organic farmers and shoppers alike. Everyone has a role in increasing integrity in the organic supply chain, and both the private and the public sectors must engage. This session will outline work being done to ensure organic integrity on a variety of fronts.

Global Export Series: U.S. Market Briefing

Join the Organic Trade Association for an overview of the U.S. organic market, including industry size, trending consumer categories, resources for international buyers and more.  The session will share the latest industry stats and consumer insights and provide tools on how to access more information and connect with suppliers. Click here for more information on this session.

Food Safety Update: Tools & Resources for Organic Operations

The Food Safety Modernization Act is now fully implemented. It is a complex set of rules that can lead to confusion for producers, packers and importers. Hear about the latest food safety updates and learn how these rules affect organic products. Certified operators will emerge with a clearer understanding of what they have to do to be compliant, and of the resources and tools available to them. The talks will cover sanitary transportation and food defense. Click here for more information on this session.

Sharing the Organic Story

Backed by the strongest production standard in the world, organic improves soils, rural economies and human health. Shoppers are increasingly demanding transparency in their products. And, with 80% of millennial consumers expected to become parents in the next 10-15 years, brands that can harness and communicate the full supply chain benefits of the organic seal stand to benefit. Join us for a master course in the science behind organic and its benefits to human, economic and planet health, featuring scientists from The Organic Center and Nutritionist Kate Geagan. Click here for more information on this session.

Farm Bill 2018: What You Need to Know

What is the Farm Bill, and how does it affect agriculture and food policy in the U.S.? Attend this session and hear from industry leaders about what’s at stake for farmers, eaters, and agriculture – especially organic. Learn how you can most effectively advocate for important policies that will have long-term impact on human nutrition, soil and climate health. Click here for more information on this session.

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Foreign Buyers’ Mission Meetings

U.S. food and ingredient companies eager to promote their organic products in international markets have the opportunity to meet pre-qualified buyers from established and emerging international markets. OTA’s Reverse Trade Mission, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, enables U.S. organic companies to discuss their products, make on-the-spot sales, and pave the way for productive long-term relationships with international buyers. 

 

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Organic Stakeholder Meetings

Organic Trade Association hosts organic stakeholder meetings through Expo West. Topics range from task force and sector council gatherings to association business. The following groups were able to meet at 2018 Expo West: 

Fiber Council

Dietary Supplements Council 

International Trade Forum 

Mexico Task Force 

Sugar Task Force 

For more information on these meetings contact Gwendolyn Wyard.