SALINAS, CA - Joining a growing list of speakers from some of the top organic companies out there, the inaugural Organic Produce Summit (OPS) has added SunOpta’s Vice President of Consumer Products Group, Chad Hagen, as a keynote speaker.

For the conference taking place at the Monterey, CA Hyatt Regency from July 13-14, Hagen will join presenters Greg Holzman, Founder of Purity Organic Produce and Purity Organics brand juices, and noted former New York Times columnist and Co-founder of Purple Carrot,  Mark Bittman, as featured speakers at the first-ever event focused exclusively on organic fresh produce. 

SunOpta Inc., one of the largest global organic ingredients companies, specializes in the sourcing, processing and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products, integrated from seed through packaged products. The company’s reach spans 60 countries and 5,000 organic growers. According to a press release, the addition of Hagen to the list of speakers will help create a line-up of innovative, diverse, and inspiring speakers for OPS attendees.

“Organic produce has enjoyed more growth and sales velocity than ever before,” explained Lara Grossman, Sales and Marketing Manager for Robinson Fresh, in a statement. “Its effects are increasingly impactful to all areas of the produce supply chain. This inaugural Organic Produce Summit’s education session promises highly relevant, of-the-moment topics with organic experts who are leading the category as it continues to shift the tectonic plates of our industry.”

As of today, the OPS has received confirmation from over 40 different retail and buying organizations who will be attending the event, totaling over 20,000 stores across the United States and Canada. On top of an excellent slice of retailers lined up to attend, nearly 70 organic producers have signed up as exhibitors for the event. Organizers of the event expect it to sell out fast, so be sure to check out www.organicproducesummit.com for registration and a list of those already attending.

Additional educational seminars hosted by the Organic Trade Association are currently being finalized, with an array of established industry educators and leaders serving as panelists in three different educational sessions. A fourth educational session on the growing e-grocery sector and organic produce is also being finalized, with panelists Tony Stallone, Vice President of Merchandising for Peapod, and Mike Buffington of IdeoClick.  Kevin Coupe, Founder of The Morning News Beat, will serve as moderator.  

Co-sponsored by Taylor Farms and Braga Fresh, OPS also receives support from major sponsors including Tomorrow’s Organics, Homegrown Organic Farms, Earthbound Farms, and Driscolls.

For further information about the inaugural Organic Produce Summit, visit the summit's website here, and keep tuning into AndNowUKnow for the latest updates on the summit. 

Organic Produce Summit