As part of the Organic Trade Association’s 40th Anniversary Member Story Series, we’re proud to feature Tradin Organic and Marketing Manager Dara Colacchio, whose lifelong journey in organic reflects the power of values-driven leadership in shaping the future of food.
🎉 This video is part of the OTA 40th Anniversary Member Story Series, spotlighting the people and companies driving the organic movement forward.
🌱 Learn more about Tradin Organic: https://www.tradinorganic.com/
🤝 Explore OTA Membership: https://ota.com/membership
📅 Celebrate Organic Week with us: https://web.cvent.com/event/4b731bf8-...
About Tradin Organic
For over 25 years, Tradin Organic has been a global leader in sourcing, processing, and distributing certified organic ingredients. With a mission to make organic everyone’s first choice, Tradin connects farmers, processors, and brands around the world through sustainable partnerships.
From cocoa and coffee to grains, oils, and specialty ingredients, Tradin plays a vital role in building a resilient global supply chain that is rooted in organic practices. Their work not only brings high-quality ingredients to market but also strengthens farming communities and protects ecosystems worldwide.
Today, under leaders like Dara Colacchio, Tradin continues to tell the story of organic’s global impact—showcasing how the choices made at every step of the supply chain ripple outward to create a healthier planet and stronger communities.
Dara Colacchio: Growing Up Organic
By Dara Colacchio, Marketing Manager, Tradin Organic
My organic journey began long before I was born. My parents met at Erewhon, a natural food distribution company in Boston, in the late 1970s. They were both deeply committed to organic, natural, and macrobiotic foods and practices. I was born at home in the early 1980s and raised on a predominantly plant-based diet, surrounded by natural food, organic food and love. Growing up with parents who were early adopters of the
organic movement shaped every facet of my life.
My mom worked at a local natural food store and taught cooking classes, and then became a schoolteacher, and my dad opened one of his own natural food stores in suburban Boston. My first "jobs" were in those two stores as a young child. Later, my dad joined Bread & Circus (now part of Whole Foods Market) in Cambridge, where he spent the rest of his career. I even appeared in a video they filmed where they asked me, "What Organic Means to Me." Here, I shared my early belief that organic food was simply food free from pesticides and chemicals. Even at a young age, I understood that it was healthier for me. However, my perspective was still very personal and limited to what I was eating, a perspective that would evolve and deepen over time.
My first formal job was at Bread & Circus. I worked as a cashier, in Whole Body, in specialty, and eventually in marketing. After college, I returned to Whole Foods and connected with a natural food broker. That led me to join BIN Sales and Marketing in sales, where I had the opportunity to work with some of the most influential organic brands in the market, including Amy's Kitchen, Organic Valley, Lundberg Family Farms, Pacific Foods,
Annie's Homegrown, Eden Foods, Happy Family Organic and many more.
Later, I joined Tasty Bite as they began their transition to certified organic. At the time, their ingredients were grown without synthetic pesticides, although they were not yet certified. Then came a meaningful move to Happy Family Organics, shortly after having my second child. It was the first company I worked for that was 100% organic. Their mission "to change the trajectory of children's health through nutrition" aligned seamlessly
with my values and felt like an extension of my organic DNA.
Today, I am proud to serve as the Marketing Manager for the U.S. at Tradin Organic, where I have broadened my perspective even further. Our mission is to make organic everyone's first choice so that nature can nourish our shared future. In my role, I lead marketing initiatives that raise awareness of our high-quality organic ingredients and highlight the sustainable sourcing stories behind them. I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside a team
of passionate, like-minded individuals who share the same mission and values. Collaborating with them has felt like a true welcome home moment, both professionally and personally.
Over the past nine months, I've had the privilege of being part of the Organic Trade Association. I've learned immensely from the passionate and knowledgeable leaders who are shaping the future of organic. It is energizing to be among people who share the same values and are working toward a common goal. The insight, collaboration, and community OTA offers have been deeply enriching, and I'm grateful for all they do to elevate
our industry.
To me, organic and sustainability are intrinsically connected, a belief shaped by a lifetime immersed in this movement. I am inspired by the growing number of companies embracing organic and regenerative practices. I have shared my passion for organic with friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers, and I will continue to do so with purpose and pride. Looking back, this truly feels like a full-circle moment. What began as a personal
experience has grown into a lifelong commitment, and I am grateful to now contribute to the future of organic both personally and professionally. Thank you to OTA and this community for continuing to inspire and elevate what organic can be.