Latest News From Organic Trade Association

OTA and Rodale Institute join USDA’s Transition to Organic Program
OTA and Rodale Institute join USDA’s Transition to Organic Program

The Organic Trade Association, along with Rodale, has been chosen as the latest national-level TOPP partner to support farmers, promote organic production and to foster market opportunities for organic foods.

How growers, distributors are tackling organic agriculture’s plastic problem
How growers, distributors are tackling organic agriculture’s plastic problem

At Organic Confluence Day, organic growers and distributors shared how they are experimenting and finding creative solutions to reduce organic’s reliance on plastic across the supply chain.

Organic Trade Association shares top 7 priorities for organic agriculture in the 2023 farm bill
Organic Trade Association shares top 7 priorities for organic agriculture in the 2023 farm bill

What makes the 2023 organic agenda according to the association? It basically comes down to having responsive organic standards, supporting American farmers and empowering organic supply chains.

USDA’s new organic rule tackles fraud
USDA’s new organic rule tackles fraud

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule, filed unofficially by the USDA on Jan. 18, represents the biggest update in the program’s history and bolsters organic integrity according to industry leaders.

Organic Trade Association taps Peter Mihalick as senior director of government affairs
Organic Trade Association taps Peter Mihalick as senior director of government affairs

The experienced policy and regulatory leader will spearhead organic agriculture advocacy on the 2023 farm bill and other policy initiatives on Capitol Hill.

Organic research to combat citrus greening gets $2M in USDA funds
Organic research to combat citrus greening gets $2M in USDA funds

The University of Florida, Texas A&M University and The Organic Center have been awarded over $2 million for a multi-year grant to find citrus greening solutions for organic producers, with hopes for broader application.

USDA’s National Organic Program adds paper pots to approved substance list
USDA’s National Organic Program adds paper pots to approved substance list

The National Organic Program has updated the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances to include paper pots and low acyl gellan gum as acceptable for organic production.

USDA reports organic integrity investigations down by 25% in 2022
USDA reports organic integrity investigations down by 25% in 2022

The National Organic Program published integrity and enforcement dashboard for 2022 that outlines trends and enforcement statistics.

The Organic Center and FFAR award $600,000 for organic research and support
The Organic Center and FFAR award $600,000 for organic research and support

Four organizations and two scientists are receiving over $600,000 to further climate research and technical support from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and The Organic Center.

Organic Trade Association applauds investment of up to $300M in organic transition
Organic Trade Association applauds investment of up to $300M in organic transition

The USDA is giving a big boost to organic agriculture just when the sector can use it.

Organic leader highlights priorities at House farm bill hearing
Organic leader highlights priorities at House farm bill hearing

Key organic priorities for the next farm bill include investment in organic research and cost share, new legislation to modernize organic regulations and support for farmers making the transition to organic agriculture.

USDA takes step forward in advancement of organic standards
USDA takes step forward in advancement of organic standards

Organic Trade Association applauds progress while urging expediency as government organization announces public listening session and request for comment.

OTA, National Latino Farmers and Ranchers form alliance
OTA, National Latino Farmers and Ranchers form alliance

The National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association and Organic Trade Association will form an alliance that will help both organizations strengthen their impact on national public policy. 

Diversity fellows join Organic Trade Association team
Diversity fellows join Organic Trade Association team

Katrina Pitts and August Alderman will join the Organic Trade Association as the organization’s first Diversity & Entrepreneurship Program fellows.

Organic Trade Association begins search for new CEO
Organic Trade Association begins search for new CEO

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced today the launch of a nationwide search for a new CEO and Executive Director.

What the Organic Trade Association is doing for produce
What the Organic Trade Association is doing for produce

Johanna Mirenda, Organic Trade Association farm policy director, is laser-focused specifically on the fresh produce industry in two ways.

2020 sees record organic sales, OTA reports
2020 sees record organic sales, OTA reports

U.S. organic sales in 2020 jumped 12.4%, reaching $61.9 billion, according to a new survey from the Organic Trade Association.

Megan DeBates, vice president of legislative affairs of the Organic Trade Association, and Ben Diesl, vice president of quality assurance at Grimmway Farms and association board member, both shared Jan. 28 at the virtual Global Organic Produce Expo.
What organic advocates are pushing for in Biden’s first 100 days

On President Joe Biden’s first day on the job, he signed an executive order for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Legislative opportunities for organic produce will be the topic of this session at GOPEX.
GOPEX session to focus on policy priorities for organic produce

The Organic Trade Association’s Megan DeBates and Grimmway’s Ben Diesl will discuss policy issues relevant to produce Jan. 28 at the Global Organic Produce Expo.

USDA steps up oversight for India’s organic exports to the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is increasing oversight of organic operations in India.

OTA establishes Organic Produce Council

The Organic Trade Association has established an Organic Produce Council, designed to unify the diverse views of the industry and address ongoing challenges.

Association advocates for organic ag as climate change tool

The Organic Trade Association is advocating for more federal support of organic production as a means to mitigate climate change.

Organic Trade Association targets climate change on Capitol Hill

The Organic Trade Association is in the midst of a two-week “Congressional fly-in” to engage legislators on climate change.

Organic group names Grimmway’s Huckaby Grower of the Year

Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms and Cal-Organic Farms, Bakersfield, Calif., has been named the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Farmer of the Year.

Organic food sales top $50B in 2019, up 4.6%
Organic food sales top $50B in 2019, up 4.6%

The Organic Trade Association reports that organic food sales in 2019 surpassed $50 billion, including $18 billion for organic produce.

Organic sector asks for help
Organic sector asks for help

Associations that represent organic growers are asking Congress for provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help the sector survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

A powerful organic message, but is it the right one?
A powerful organic message, but is it the right one?

We’ve reported on how the Dirty Dozen list actually discourages healthy eating by creating confusing messages for consumers. The Organic Trade Association risks doing the same.

Organic fruits and vegetables expand the marketplace

Organics have been a part of the mainstream market for years now, and while the shoppers still see them as their own category, consumers tend to accept organically grown produce as an “added choice”.

 A Jan. 23 session at the EcoFarm Conference looked at efforts to curtail organic fraud. (left to right) Laura Batcha, executive director of the Organic Trade Association;  Natalie Kraut, director of the Division of Inspection Services for the California Department of Food and Agriculture,  Jennifer Tucker, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program; and April Crittenden, chief certification officer for the CCOF.
Public and private efforts both needed to fight fraud

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — Government and private sector efforts are both needed to prevent organic fraud, speakers at the 40th annual EcoFarm Conference said.

Angela Jagiello, director of education and insights for the Organic Trade Association, speaks Jan. 10 at the Global Organic Produce Expo about OTA's “toolkit” that will help determine which messages work best in marketing organic produce.
Organic messaging research finds winning themes

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Finding messages that will motivate “light” organic consumers to eat more is the goal of new consumer research by the Organic Trade Association.

Israel Morales leads sustainability programs at JV Smith Cos.

Israel Morales has been promoted to executive director of sustainable operations for JV Smith Cos.

JV Farms Organics’ Israel Morales named grower of the year

The Organic Trade Association is honoring Israel Morales Sr. of JV Farms Organics as its Organic Farmer of the Year.

Organic Trade Association hosts international buyers at show

The Organic Trade Association will host its first buyers mission at the annual Organic Produce Summit July 10-11 in Monterey, Calif.

Organic Trade Association lauds members of Congress
Organic Trade Association lauds members of Congress

The Organic Trade Association has named two members of Congress — Dan Newhouse (R-Wash), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) — as the group’s Organic Champion Award recipients.

Organic Summit features analysis of new consumer data

The fourth annual Organic Produce Summit will feature consumer data and analysis on growing sales of organics, backed by new research on what’s driving fresh produce sales in the sector.

U.S. organic sales break $50 billion mark
U.S. organic sales break $50 billion mark

U.S. organic sales hit a record $52.5 billion in 2018, up 6.3% from the previous year.

Seminar addresses treating citrus disease organically

The Organic Center has a web seminar on citrus greening/huanglongbing and how to fight it while maintaining organic integrity.

Web seminar focuses on program to stop organic fraud

The Organic Trade Association is presenting a web seminar April 11 on its program to identify and stop fraud in the organic supply chain.

Organic conference looks at consumer trust while sales grow 

Maintaining consumer trust as the organic category grows will be a pivotal discussion at the Organic Trade Association’s annual conference.

Organic association conference features political analyst

Political analyst David Wasserman will deliver the keynote speech at the Organic Trade Association’s annual policy conference.

UPDATED: Organic industry hones consumer message

(UPDATED, March 7) “Skip all the chemicals and just go with organic” will be the key consumer message of a nationwide program to promote organic food and other products.

Shannon Allen reveals success of organic fast-food model
Shannon Allen reveals success of organic fast-food model

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Shannon Allen never imagined she’d start the country’s first 100% certified organic fast food restaurant with a drive-thru.

Shannon Allen, founder of the Miami-based organic restaurant grown, will be a keynote speaker for The Packer’s Global Organic Expo in Hollywood, Fla. She is pictured with her husband Ray Allen, former NBA player and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Restaurateur Shannon Allen to speak at Global Organic Expo

Shannon Allen, founder of the Miami-based organic restaurant grown, will be a keynote speaker for The Packer’s Global Organic Expo in Hollywood, Fla.

Organic Trade Association gives top ten organic enforcement priorities

Looking to help shape stronger organic enforcement standards, the Organic Trade Association has submitted comments to the USDA on its top ten priorities to boost the integrity of the global organic market.

Organic industry tackles fraud issues

The organic industry is looking to pounce on fraud.

Organic Trade Association seeking ideas on voluntary check-off

The Organic Trade Association is seeking ideas on how to design and implement a voluntary industry-invested “check-off like” program for the organic sector.

David Lively appointed to organic board

Organically Grown Co.’s David Lively has been re-appointed to the Organic Trade Association’s board of directors.

OTA pushes back on Wall Street Journal op-ed piece
OTA pushes back on Wall Street Journal op-ed piece

The Organic Trade Association took out a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal Sept. 12 pushing back against what the group called misleading and derogatory attacks on organic food.

A pragmatic approach to checkoffs

Can a voluntary checkoff program work?

Organic group seeks promotion and research campaign without USDA

Three months after the USDA pulled the plug on a plan to establish a national organic promotion and research program funded by grower assessments, the Organic Trade Association is resurrecting the plan.