Maintaining consumer trust as the organic category grows will be a pivotal discussion at the Organic Trade Association’s annual conference.
With sales of all organic products topping $50 billion in the U.S., the May 20-23 OTA conference will consider at how the industry can earn and maintain shoppers’ trust even as it continues to thrive, according to a news release.
Darci Vetter, head of Edelman’s Washington, D.C., public affairs practice and former ag negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, will present the findings of Edelman’s Trust 2019 Barometer. The survey looks at the level of consumer trust in government, businesses, non-governmental organizations and the media, according to the release.
Naomi Starkman, founder and editor-in-chief of Civil Eats, will speak on how organic businesses can grow and expand without compromising, according to the release.
Starkman will moderate a panel that includes:
- Jeff Huckaby, president and CEO of Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms;
- Melissa Hughes, chief mission officer and general counsel of Organic Valley;
- Deverl Maserang, president of Earthbound Farm; and
- Carla Vernon, president of natural and organic for General Mills.
