Organic Produce Summit Announces Educational Lineup
MONTEREY, CA - The year has only just started, but the calendar is already filling up with events and shows to bring leaders of the produce world together. Come July, the fifth annual Organic Produce Summit is set to take place in Monterey, California. The lineup for this year’s festivities already looks to be an event to remember.
First up on the itinerary is the educational seminar featuring Steve Lutz, Senior Vice President of Insights and Innovation for Category Partners, and Laura Batcha, Organic Trade Association’s President. Tonya Antle, Co-Founder of the Organic Produce Network, will be moderating the Organic Fresh Produce Sales Data and Analysis session.
Lutz will update OPS attendees on the latest organic retail sales data, analysis, and trends while providing an overview of increased sales opportunities.
“How are consumers aligning their increased demand for organic fresh produce into actual purchases at the store? What are the key purchase barriers and ways to convert potential customers into consistent buyers? We will explore the trends and opportunities that lie ahead for all OPS attendees,” Lutz said.
Organic Trade Association’s President Laura Batcha will also be discussing research done in conjunction with the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) on messaging to organic customers. She will also be touching on the development of a toolkit for organic industry members to use based on the findings of the research.
“As organic fresh produce sales continue to grow and outpace conventional produce sales, there is outstanding information and data to be shared among OPS attendees on where opportunities for further growth lie, as well as areas where new customer acquisition can come from,” said Antle.
The fifth annual OPS's exhibition space is already sold out, according to a press release. This year, 152 of North America’s organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors exhibiting their products to over 250 retailers and buyers. Field tours at several of the nation’s leading organic producers are also available for qualified retailers and wholesalers at OPS. sweetgreen’s Co-Founders Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman will be one of three keynote presenters this year along with a host of educational seminars.
Among other educational sessions on tap for OPS 2020 are:
- Obstacles and Opportunities for Organic in Foodservice
- Is Regenerative the “New” Organic?
- How Do Independent Retailers Handle Organic?
The announcement of the first educational session announcement is part of six breakout educational sessions for OPS attendees. For more information on how to attend, click here.
Keep checking back to AndNowUKnow for more updates as the event draws nearer.
