MONTEREY, CA - Offering digestible information about multi-billion-dollar fresh organic produce supply chain management industry—including day-to-day production, sales, and distribution—is 2018’s Organic Produce Summit (OPS). With the help of industry leaders from major aspects of the supply chain, the event includes two educational breakout sessions diving into both opportunities and difficulties seen in the organic supply chain.

Susan Canales, President, Organic Produce Summit“OPS attendees will have the opportunity to learn from six leaders within the organic produce industry,” said Susan Canales, President of the Organic Produce Summit. “Each speaker represents a company that has found success with their supply chain management, and their insights will benefit those actively involved in the supply chain, as well as those seeking a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities of providing organic fresh produce 24/7/365.”

Organic Supply Chain I—Opportunities and Challenges

• Panelists: Rod Braga, President and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms; Will Feliz, CEO of Wawona Packing Company; and Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director for Stemilt
• Moderator: Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing for the California Avocado Commission

From left to right: Moderator Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing, Avocado Commission; Rod Braga, President and CEO, Braga Fresh Family Farms; Will Feliz, CEO, Wawona Packing Company; and Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director, Stemilt Growers

This session offers insight into the challenges and opportunities experienced on the growing side of organic fresh produce, exploring land use, labor and immigration, organic inputs, production and harvesting, and technology and automation.

Organic Supply Chain II—Opportunities and Challenges

• Panelists: Ken Reagan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for State Garden/Olivia’s Organics; Michael Castagnetto, Vice President of Global Sourcing for Robinson Fresh; and Rodney Bonds, Vice President of Supply Chain for Sprouts Markets
• Moderator: Jeff Jackson, Chief Marketing Officer for Tanimura & Antle

From left to right: Moderator Jeff Jackson, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanimura & Antle; Ken Reagan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, State Garden/Olivia’s Organics; Michael Castagnetto, Vice President of Global Sourcing, Robinson Fresh; and Rodney Bonds, Vice President of Supply Chain, Sprouts Farmers Market

From transport to receiving, this session explores post-harvest problems and solutions and discusses food safety, audits, certification, processing and repacking, cold chain management and inventory, and rules and protocols.

According to a press release, OPS is also bringing more educational opportunities to the table with the following sessions at this year’s summit:

• Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy: This session goes through data in sales, trends, and analysis for the organic fresh produce industry.
• Organics and the Media - New Landscape of Information: This session explores media coverage and purpose, as well as ways the industry can communicate benefits of the organic fresh produce industry effectively.
• E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail: This session provides insight into the blossoming e-grocery business, featuring leaders from Peapod, Instacart, and Sun Basket.
• Organic Ingredients - Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department: This session dives into innovation, merchandising, and new global organic fresh product ingredient supply chains.

As part of the two-day OPS 2018 festivities, three keynote presenters for OPS 2018 are the following: Ed Carolan, President of Campbell Fresh; Dan Buettner, renowned journalist and Blue Zones discoverer; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands. In addition to these opportunities, OPS 2018 offers field tours for retailers and buyers, a gala opening night reception, and a trade show featuring 13 producers and processors from the organic fresh produce industry throughout North American and the world.

Wanting more OPS 2018 details? Check out the website: www.organicproducesummit.com.

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Organic Produce Summit