The Organic Trade Association will be taking part in the Pennsylvania Certified Organic’s (PCO) FarmFest on Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA. The event will feature Tom Beddard of Lady Moon Farms as the keynote speaker, live music, family activities and educational workshops, demos and discussions. Organic Trade Association staffers Megan DeBates (Organic Trade Association’s Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions), and Allison Rice (Engagement Coordinator for Government Affairs and Working Groups) will be on hand during Friday activities, and DeBates will be part of a panel on Ensuring Integrity of Organic Imports. Pennsylvania Certified Organic is one of the latest members to become part of the Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Committee. To learn more or connect with Organic Trade Association staff at the event, please contact Allison Rice. 

The 2017 Provender Alliance Conference will be held October 4-6 in Hood River, OR. Organic Trade Association staff will hold a session on "Shedding Light on the Controversial Shopping Basket." To learn more or to connect with OTA staff at the conference, please contact Gwendolyn Wyard. 

Shedding Light on the Controversial Shopping Basket

Time: Friday October 6 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Hood River Inn - Hood River, Oregon
Speaker(s): Nathaniel Lewis | Farm Policy Director, Organic Trade Association • Gwendolyn Wyard | Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, Organic Trade Association

Back by popular demand! This session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on various controversial organic issues (background and current status) including where the topic is at in the regulatory process and how shoppers can weigh in and make their voices heard. Featured products in the shopping basket will include (but not limited to):

• Hydroponically grown organic tomatoes
• Organic eggs
• Organic soybeans imported from Turkey
• Transitional breakfast cereal
• Soup in a can lined with Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Organic gummy bears with natural flavors and colors

Do you have specific questions? Bring your controversial product or label to the workshop and we’ll answer your questions!

ANUGA will take place October 6-11 in Cologne, Germany. OTA will once again participate in ANUGA the largest food trade fair in the world for 2017.  OTA will host 8 companies at Anuga in the Organic Hall.  The OTA participant package includes 1 round trip flight, 1 hotel room for the duration of the show, 1m tabletop space, and signage at the show. In order to qualify you must promote certified organic product of 51% or more U.S. origin ingredients by value or volume.  Contact Monique Marez if you are interested.