Washington, D.C. - The best of organic—from innovative entrepreneurs and established organic brands and retailers, to cutting edge organic researchers, farmers, and visionary scientists—will be honored next month at the organic industry’s premier awards event on Wednesday, March 5, at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California.

Hosted by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, “An Organic Night Out with Sprouts and Friends: Honoring the Year’s Best in Organic” will recognize and celebrate the success of organic brands and organizations in helping grow the organic industry and communicating the positive impact of the organic label and product choices to consumers. The honorees at the second “Organic Oscars”— all nominated and chosen by their peers—will reflect the expansion of today’s organic sector to more than $70 billion with an innovative vision for the future.

The evening festivities will bring together hundreds of organic visionaries, influencers, and businesses, and is the single biggest fundraising event for The Organic Center and Organic Voices, both nonprofit organizations that work on important research, education and communication with the organic industry and with consumers.

Awards will be given in nine categories: Best New Organic Food; Best New Organic Beverage Product; Best New Organic Non-food Product; Best Organic Messaging (Social Media or PR); Best Organic Retailer; Best Organic Supplier; Emerging Organic Brand of the Year; and Organic Company of the Year. Groundbreaking organic research will also be honored with an Excellence Award going to the most impactful organic research or finding of the year.

Gary Hirshberg, organic visionary, advocate and co-founder of the world’s largest organic dairy company Stonyfield Farm, will emcee the awards ceremony. He will be joined on stage by VIP guests including Dr. Amber Sciligo, Senior Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center, and Matthew Dillon and Tom Chapman, Co-CEO’s of the Organic Trade Association.

The event will be from 6 to 9 pm, beginning with a networking reception including dinner fare and cocktails, followed by the organic awards presentation.

“Enthusiasm from last year’s sold-out event has catapulted An Organic Night Out into a ‘must attend’ Expo event for retailers and brands,” says Hirshberg. “Not only did turnout and fundraising blow away our expectations, but the award finalists showcased a breathtaking display of creative products, communications and contributions to making our world greener and healthier. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted once again!”

Celebrating the science behind organic 

“To grow the organic industry and continue to expand its positive impact around the world, we all must understand the value of organic and the holistic benefits when we buy products carrying the USDA Organic seal. This event is an incredible opportunity to showcase the expert science that demonstrates those benefits and helps everyone in the organic industry succeed,” said Dr. Amber Sciligo, Senior Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “The celebration of these innovative leaders, in combination with the spotlight on the latest organic research, promises to be another meaningful industry networking event and an inspiring awards evening.”

Sponsorship opportunities for this incredible evening are still open. Join the list of organic brands and champions, including many of last year’s award winners, who are making this event possible including:

Alexandre Family Farm, Amy’s Kitchen, Ancient Nutrition, Applegate/Justin’s, Cal-Organic, Ciranda, Dave’s Killer Bread, Dr. Bronner’s, Driscoll's, Forager Project, Frontier Co-op, Gallant, Gary and Meg Hirshberg, General Mills, Global Organics, Good Earth Natural Foods, Guayaki, Handsome Brook Farms, Health-Ade, Horizon Organic, Hu Chocolate, Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA), Jimbo’s, Just Ice Tea, Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, Nature’s Path, Naturepedic, New Hope, Nixie, Once Upon a Farm, Organic Valley, Organically Grown Company, Painterland Sisters, Pete and Gerry’s, Perfect Snacks, Presence Marketing, SPINS, Sprouts, Stonyfield, Straus Family Creamery, Taste For Life Publications, Thrive, Tradin Organic, True Organic Products, Inc., Uncle Matt’s, WearPACT, and Whole Foods Market.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Katrina Staves at [email protected].