MONTEREY, CA - This first week of March is already coming to an end, which means we're all that much closer to Organic Produce Summit 2020, set for July 8 and 9 this summer in Monterey, California. The association is satiating the public’s inquiries with the announcement of its second educational session: Opportunities and Obstacles for Independent and Natural Food Retailers.

“As conventional grocers and other retail channels continue to grow and provide consumers with greater availability of organic products, the organic shopper is no longer dependent upon traditional independent and natural food grocers. At the same time, smaller and independent natural food retailers have been a vital and integral part of the growth and education of organics with consumers,” said Susan Canales, President of Organic Produce Summit. “This session is a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the role of the independent and natural food grocer, and the opportunities available to differentiate themselves from other retail channels.”

According to the press release, the second educational session will be an examination and discussion of the opportunities and obstacles, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of attracting consumers for independent and natural food retailers. The session will feature an overview of the natural and organic retailer landscape moderated by Matt Olson, Vice President and General Manager for the Independent and Natural Food Retailers Association.

Sean Decker, Buyer for Hawthorne Valley Farm Store; Mark Squire, President of Good Earth Natural Foods; and Jonathan Steffy, Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Produce, will be discussing the challenges of competing against larger and national retail channels.

This session is the second of three informative educational sessions at OPS 2020. In addition, two of four keynote presentations featuring the Co-Founders of nationally acclaimed restaurant chain sweetgreen, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman, and Real Talk with Jim Donald, Co-Chairman of Albertsons Companies, have been announced as highlights of the fifth annual OPS.

Other educational sessions at OPS 2020 will include:

• Organic Sales Analysis and the Organic Consumer
• Is Regenerative the New Organic?

OPS 2020 also includes a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers, a gala opening-night reception, and a trade show featuring 152 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from across North America and the globe.

Over 1,600 attendees will meet July 8-9 in Monterey, CA, to exchange ideas, information, and insight of the organic fresh produce industry. Stay up to date with ANUK as we bring you more news for OPS 2020.

Organic Produce Summit