2025 Recap: Key Moments, Innovations, and the Future of Organic

The annual Natural Products Expo West 2025, held from March 4 to 7 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, brought together nearly 70,000 attendees and featured some 3,200 exhibitors, showcasing the latest innovations in the natural and organic products industry. Expo West 2025 was a vibrant hub for the organic industry, and the Organic  Trade Association (OTA) played a pivotal role in shaping the discussions.

Through a series of thought-provoking educational sessions, OTA brought together industry leaders, policy experts, and organic advocates to explore the current state of the organic sector, its future trajectory, and the pivotal role of policy in driving ongoing investment in agriculture. Here’s a roundup of the standout sessions hosted by OTA at this year’s Expo.

Keynote Sessions and Industry Insights

Emerging Policy Opportunities in 2025 & Beyond: Strategies to Scale Climate Action

One of the highlights of Expo West was The Climate Collaborative's Climate Day session, which delved into the critical issue of climate action. The session, titled Emerging Policy Opportunities in 2025 & Beyond: Strategies to Scale Climate Action, was moderated by Aria McLauchlan of Land Core and featured an expert panel of industry leaders. The discussion focused on policy as a critical driver of climate progress, with insights into the evolving political landscape and how businesses can navigate regulatory changes.

Co-CEO of OTA, Matthew Dillon, joined Britt Lundgren from Stonyfield and T.A. Hawks from Monument Advocacy to discuss strategies for leveraging policy to support climate and regenerative agriculture initiatives. Panelists offered expert insights into recent and upcoming policy shifts, including the Farm Bill and tariffs, and provided strategies for effective advocacy at both state and federal levels, giving attendees a clearer understanding of how to engage with climate policy and scale up efforts in sustainability.

“ Reset, reflect, figure out how to work together,” said OTA co-CEO Matthrew Dillon.

State of Organic: From Consumer Behavior to Policy Impact – A Comprehensive Market Update

On Wednesday, March 5, OTA presented a comprehensive market update exploring the evolving organic landscape.  This session offered valuable insights into consumer behavior, highlighting generational differences in attitudes toward organic products and their willingness to pay a premium. Attendees also learned how USDA Organic compares to other popular claims such as regenerative and natural.
The second half of the session turned its focus to the policy landscape, with OTA providing an update on the latest legislative developments affecting organic agriculture. From the new Administration and Congress to the Farm Bill and the Secretary of Agriculture, the session explored how OTA is navigating these changes to protect and promote the organic sector on Capitol Hill.

Speakers included Industry Data and Trends: Tom Chapman, co-CEO at OTA, Heidi Diestel, President of Sales & Marketing at Diestel Family Ranch, moderated by Sandy Pfaff, Media Relations at OTA; Government Affairs: Matthew Dillon, co-CEO at OTA, Adam Warthesen, Senior Director of Government and Industry Affairs at Organic Valley, moderated by Ivanna Yang, VP of Government Affairs at OTA.

U.S. Organic Trade: International Market Opportunities & Trade Policy Updates

Following the State of Organic session, OTA hosted a session on international trade opportunities for U.S. organic businesses. This session provided attendees with a broad overview of the U.S. organic market, including industry size, trending consumer categories, and the latest consumer insights. It also highlighted resources available for international buyers and offered practical tools for connecting with global suppliers. The speaker was Scott Rice, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs for OTA.

Regenerative & Organic: Driving the Future of Food, Beauty, and Textiles

On the afternoon of March 5, OTA presented a session exploring the intersection of organic and regenerative agriculture. This workshop delved into how regenerative practices are transforming industries such as food, beauty, and textiles. The session emphasized sustainability, ethical production, and climate resilience while also addressing challenges related to certification and ensuring integrity in the regenerative movement.
Industry leaders shared their experiences in integrating regenerative organic principles, with a focus on how international efforts, including those led by IFOAM, are defining a global framework for regenerative agriculture.

Speakers included Mariano Serratore, Technical Director, ICEA, Paul Holmbeck, IFOAM World Board, Tom Chapman, co-CEO, OTA, Paul Alvarez, Program Director, Regenerative Organic Alliance, Lacey Moore, Lundberg Family Farms, Hovik Azadkhanian, CEO, Heirloom Coffee Roasters.

Tapping into Schools: A Growing Organic Opportunity

Thursday, March 6, featured a session on the organic market opportunities within K-12 school districts. With schools serving more meals than some of the largest restaurant chains, this untapped market is ripe for organic businesses to engage. This session explored how organic companies are addressing the growing demand for healthy school meals, as well as the challenges of ensuring that all students have access to nutritious, organic food.

Speakers included Matt Landi, VP of Industry Relations at OTA, Judi Shils, Founder & Executive Director at Conscious Kitchen, Barbara Jellison, Executive Director of Food Service at the West Contra Costa Unified School District, Sasha Bricel, Director of Marketing Services at Nature’s Path, Albert Straus, Founder & Executive Chair at Straus Family Creamery.

Inside Organic Workshop: Elevate, Educate, Communicate—What’s Your Organic Message?

On Friday, March 7, OTA hosted a collaborative roundtable discussion aimed at elevating the organic message. The session brought together organic advocates, leaders, and manufacturers to discuss how to better communicate the core values of organic agriculture. Topics included the importance of educating consumers about organic attributes, understanding generational differences in consumer attitudes, and how to create compelling social campaigns that emphasize the positive impacts of organic farming on the environment, farmers, and communities.

Speakers included Nancy Coulter-Parker, Director, Content Marketing, New Hope Network, Tom Chapman, co-CEO, OTA and Simon Cutts, Senior Director, SPINS.

Climate Day and Sustainability Initiatives – The Role of The Organic Center

The trade show kicked off with Climate Day on Tuesday, March 4, and featured sessions on the global climate crisis and the industry's role in addressing it. Dr. Amber Sciligo, PhD, Senior Director of The Organic Center and Dr. Elias Miller, PhD, also of The Organic Center, took turns engaging audiences at The Organic Center booth and providing education and information to attendees about current initiatives and projects The Organic Center is working on.

An Organic Night Out with Sprouts Farmers Market and Friends 

On Wednesday evening, “The Organic Night Out Award with Sprouts Farmers Market and Friends” drew 600 guests, including retailers, brands, businesses, suppliers and organic industry leaders. The event, put on by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, was the second annual one of its kind and celebrated the remarkable achievements of organic brands and companies in communicating, educating and advocating the benefits of organic. 

The night began with a happy hour with music, drinks and appetizers followed by an exciting awards program  celebrating  all things organic. Gary Hirshberg, industry visionary and co-founder of the world’s largest organic dairy company Stonyfield Farm, emceed the awards ceremony. Hirshberg was joined on stage by VIP guests including Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Partner of California and award-winning filmmaker and advocate, who has championed efforts to establish first-in-the-nation state funding for universal school meals for all public-school children in California and led the work to develop the innovative California Farm to School initiative. 

This gathering provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with innovative and emerging organic brands while enjoying an evening of lively industry networking and connection.

The award winners in each category were as follows:

• Organic Company of the Year: Lundberg Family Farms was recognized for its nearly century-long commitment to organic agriculture.
• Best New Organic Food Product: Painterland Sisters’ Passionfruit Skyr Yogurt, made with certified organic milk from Pennsylvania family dairy farms.
• Best New Organic Beverage: Traditional Medicinals Stress Ease® Teas, a collection featuring adaptogens and nervines to support stress relief.
• Best New Non-Food Product: True Grace True Littles MicroVeggies™, a nutrient-dense blend of broccoli and sunflower microgreens from Regenerative Organic Certified farms.
• Most Impactful Research Finding: University of Minnesota WCROC. The study found SeaGraze altered rumen fermentation, leading to lower methane output, with no adverse effects on body weight, rumination behavior, or milk fatty acid profiles, supporting its feasibility for organic dairy farming.
• Best Organic Messaging (Social Media or PR): Pete and Gerry’s “Eggs as Nature Intended.” featuring the brand’s new “spokesworm.”
• Best Organic Retailer Activation: MOM’s Organic Markets. Founded in 1987 in Maryland, MOM’s Organic Market is the premier independent organic grocery chain in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Best Organic Supplier: Gallant International, Inc. Gallant supports 919 farmers in Odisha, India, by providing non-GMO cotton and intercropping seeds, covering tools, training, and certification costs

• Best Emerging Brand of the Year: Lil Bucks.  Emily Griffith, Founder and CEO of Lil Bucks, discovered sprouted buckwheat while traveling in Australia and fell in love with its taste and health benefits.
  
  These awards highlight the innovation and dedication within the organic sector, celebrating products and companies that advance the values of organic agriculture and consumer health.

  Looking Ahead: Driving the Organic Movement Forward

  Expo West 2025 was an exciting and impactful event that reinforced OTA’s commitment to advancing organic agriculture and sustainability. With sessions ranging from policy updates and market insights to regenerative practices and school food procurement, OTA provided attendees with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the future of the organic industry.

  As we look ahead, OTA remains dedicated to fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for the organic movement on Capitol Hill. We’re excited to continue these important conversations and work together to build a more sustainable and organic future.

  We look forward to seeing you at Expo 2026 and at many points in between!