Fresh Innovation in Monterey: A Preview of the 2026 Organic Produce Summit

The organic produce world is converging at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif., July 14-16 for the 10^th annual Organic Produce Summit. This event remains the only industry gathering completely dedicated to connecting organic growers and shippers with retail buyers and distributors.

With consumer demand for sustainable, high-quality organics continuing to evolve, this year’s summit promises to be a showcase for groundbreaking agricultural practices, new packaging solutions and fresh supply chain ideas. From veteran operations to agile tech startups, the trade show floor will be packed with teams ready to solve modern operational challenges.

Before the networking receptions kick off and the exhibit floor opens, here is a preview of some of the vendors you’ll want to keep an eye on at this year’s show.

Ark Foods to Exhibit at OPS for the First Time as its Organic Specialty Program Expands

The Organic Produce Summit comes at an important time for Ark Foods as the company exhibits at the show for the first time and continues investing in organic production, expanding acreage and scaling its organic specialty pepper program. Attendees can visit Ark Foods at Booth No. 1002 to learn more about its organic Poblanos, Jalapeños and Serranos, as well as the company’s broader approach to building flavorful, high-quality specialty vegetable programs.

By adding more organic varieties and growing locations, Ark Foods is positioning the program for greater scale while maintaining the quality and consistency customers expect from the brand.

“Our focus is on building this the right way,” says Noah Robbins, CEO and visionary behind Ark Foods. “We started with a successful trial, and now we’re taking the next step with more items, more acreage and more opportunities to serve customers throughout the year. OPS is the perfect place for us to have those conversations.”

Visit Ark Foods at Booth No. 1002, or arkfoods.com.

(Photo courtesy of Equifruit)

Fortune Favors the Banana Badass, Equifruit Declares

The North American Fairtrade banana brand, Equifruit, is bringing a little fortune-telling to the Organic Produce Summit 2026 with a bold prediction: The future of the banana category belongs to those willing to invest in it today.

At Booth No. 516, Equifruit is inviting attendees to step behind the curtain and have their future read. Visitors can expect a touch of magic and a glimpse of what lies ahead for the banana aisle.

For decades, the banana business has borrowed from the future to keep prices low today. The consequences are increasingly evident in the form of climate disruption, supply instability and growing competition for fruit. Further disruption isn’t a question of if, but when. This is a conversation the produce industry can no longer afford to put off.

“Security of supply isn’t something you buy. It’s something you build,” says Kim Chackal, co-owner and vice president of sales and marketing for Equifruit. “We don’t need a crystal ball to tell you that the retailers who will win tomorrow will be the ones investing in resilient supply chains and strong grower partnerships today. For two decades, Equifruit has been here helping retailers create the future they want to see for their banana program.”

Visit Equifruit at Booth No. 516, or equifruit.com.

(Photo courtesy of Fresh Solutions Network)

Fresh Solutions Network Helps Grow Organic Sales at the 10^th Annual OPS

Fresh Solutions Network will showcase its complete Side Delights Organic potato and onion portfolio. Fresh Solutions Network partners Basin Gold Cooperative and Masser Family of Companies will represent the grower-owned network at Booth No. 900.

“Organic shoppers continue to seek fresh foods that deliver exceptional quality, transparency and sustainability,” says Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Our family farming partners are committed to producing premium organic potatoes and onions while providing retailers and foodservice operators with dependable supply, innovative packaging and merchandising programs that help grow organic produce sales.”

Fresh Solutions Network combines family-owned farming operations across North America into a dependable, year-round organic supply program supported by national branding, consumer marketing and category insights. This collaborative approach helps customers simplify sourcing while building stronger organic potato and onion sales.

Visit Fresh Solutions Network at Booth No. 900, or SideDelights.com and FreshSolutionsNet.com.

(Photo courtesy of Melissa’s Produce)

Melissa’s Produce Returns to Organic Produce Summit 2026

Melissa’s Produce will return to the Organic Produce Summit, showcasing one of the industry’s broadest assortments of organic produce along with value-added items and retail merchandising solutions designed to help retailers grow organic sales.

“Today’s organic shopper expects more than a handful of core commodities,” says Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa’s Produce. “They’re looking for variety, seasonal discoveries and convenient ways to eat healthier. Melissa’s helps retailers create exciting organic departments while providing merchandising solutions that make the category easier to manage.”

Visitors to Booth No. 204 will discover a wide range of trending organic products, including EZ Open Sweet Young Coconuts, mini watermelons with eye-catching header cards, stone fruit in 2-lb. totes and Melissa’s Organic Snax. Developed as a complementary addition to fresh organic displays, Organic Snax offers a curated assortment of organic dried fruit, nuts and trail mixes that help retailers maximize merchandising space while giving shoppers more organic choices.

Visit Melissa’s at Booth No. 204, or melissas.com.

(Photo courtesy of Pete’s Garden Organics)

Pete’s Garden Organics Showcases Sustainable Produce Solutions

Visit Booth No. 228 during the Organic Produce Summit to learn how Pete’s Garden Organics is advancing sustainability across the supply chain with innovative solutions addressing both packaging and food waste. As retailers seek practical ways to reduce single-use plastics and meet evolving consumer expectations, Pete’s Garden Organics delivers high-quality packaged and bulk organic produce in certified compostable packaging, helping retailers advance their sustainability goals while maintaining product quality.

Supported by its refreshed brand identity and new tagline, “Sow Much Better,” Pete’s Garden Organics’ sustainability efforts include compostable packaging that helps reduce more than 1 million plastic or Styrofoam packages from stores.

Exclusive to Pete Pappas & Sons Inc., a fourth-generation, family-owned fresh produce company, the organic line aligns with the company’s zero-waste commitment, which diverts over 99% of facility waste from landfills through diversion alternatives including donating, composting and anaerobic digestion.

Visit Pete’s at Booth No. 228, or petepappasinc.com

Pure Flavor Highlights Expanding U.S. Organic Program and Greenhouse Innovation

Pure Flavor will be showcasing its latest organic greenhouse innovations and U.S.-grown offerings that are helping shape what’s next in fresh produce. Attendees are invited to visit Booth No. 201 to preview the company’s organic portfolio highlights firsthand and see how its expanding organic program is supporting strong retail performance and year-round availability.

This year, Pure Flavor will spotlight its expanding U.S.-grown organic program, including Georgia-grown organic long English cucumbers. Grown in a protected greenhouse environment, this item reflects continued investment in regional agriculture and a commitment to bringing fresh, high-quality organic produce closer to market. With a clear “Georgia Grown” designation, the cucumbers deliver crisp texture, freshness and year-round availability supported by controlled growing conditions.

“OPS is the perfect stage to showcase our organic greenhouse lineup,” says Matt Mastronardi, executive vice president for Pure Flavor. “Our expanding U.S.-grown organic program is led by Georgia-grown organic long English cucumbers, a key example of how we’re strengthening regional production and expanding supply closer to market. This lineup is focused on delivering strong shelf performance, dependable availability, and the consistency retailers need to support their organic sets year-round.”

Visit Pure Flavor at Booth No. 201, or pure-flavor.com

(Photo courtesy of Zespri Kiwifruit)

Zespri’s Organic Kiwifruit Delivers Strong Growth as Brand Returns to OPS

Retailers and produce industry professionals are invited to visit Zespri Kiwifruit at Booth No. 203 to learn how Organic SunGold Kiwifruit can help grow department sales and meet increasing shopper demand for premium organic produce.

“Retail sales for total organic kiwifruit dollar sales are up over 30% in the past year,” says Darren LaMothe, president of Zespri, North America. “Retailers that have added Organic SunGold are seeing incremental category growth, with organic sales largely complementing conventional SunGold Kiwi sales. Together, the two offerings help drive total category growth and attract both new and existing shoppers.”

At Booth No. 203, attendees can sample Organic SunGold Kiwifruit, review category insights, explore merchandising solutions and meet with Zespri account managers to discuss tailored programs designed to maximize organic produce performance.

Visit Zespri at Booth No. 203, or zespri.com.