MONTEREY, CA - When we talk about trade shows, we often consider how to stay ahead of market trends and best utilize our resources. That is exactly what attendees of Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2021 will have the chance to do, gaining access to exclusive educational sessions such as the recently announced “Growth of CEA—What’s Real and What’s Hype from a Retail and Consumer Perspective” segment. The session will be moderated by Walter Robb, former Chief Executive Officer of Whole Foods, and panelists include Frances Dillard, Vice President of Brand and Product Marketing, Driscoll’s; Victor Savanello, Vice President of Produce and Floral, SpartanNash; and Shawn Peery, Vice President of Produce and Floral, Albertsons.

“CEA is changing the landscape of food production and providing consumers a variety of new items that will continue to evolve in the years ahead,” said Susan Canales, President of OPS. “OPS attendees will have the chance to hear from retail leadership on how these products are marketed and learn about the challenges and opportunities these new items offer consumers.”

This session is the second of a two-part educational series at OPS, offering a retailer and consumer perspective on the upward trajectory of indoor growing. Among the topics to be discussed in the session are the impact of indoor-grown products on the supply chain, the messaging and labeling of these various items, and the ramifications of what CEA production means for the organic fresh produce industry.

A press release stated that this second educational workshop follows a session exploring the growth of CEA from leaders actively involved in the production of indoor growing. In addition to the educational sessions focused on CEA, a session looking at the organic industry in a post-COVID environment and a keynote presentation by Jim Donald, Co-Chairman of Albertsons, have also been announced.

“Indoor agriculture is increasingly playing a more meaningful role in our fresh produce supply, in terms of volume, variety, and geographical footprint,” said Walter Robb. “The ability of indoor ag to provide predictability and resiliency for supply, coupled with its lower impact on both the environment and resource use, is drawing substantial interest from both investors and consumers. Clearly, the future will be a hybrid one, and our panels will explore how quickly and responsibly this will happen.”

Organic Produce Summit 2021 will take place September 15-16 in Monterey, California. To register for the event, please click here.

We can’t wait to see the insights brought to the table at this upcoming show.

Organic Produce Summit