OTA looking at critical topics in wide-ranging education sessions
Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2023) — The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is teaming up with New Hope Network at this year’s Natural Products Expo East to offer a wide-ranging set of education sessions spotlighting some of the hottest trends and most critical issues in today’s organic sector.
What makes a consumer choose organic? How important are the USDA Organic label and other labels for the grocery buyer? What are the big issues and challenges facing the organic sector? How will organic fare in the new Farm Bill, and how is organic preparing for sweeping new federal regulations going into effect next year? How can organic help agriculture become more resilient to climate change? What are the latest trends in the suddenly hot beverage aisle?
Answers to those questions and more will be addressed in four in-depth sessions on Sept. 21 at the trade show, which will be held Sept. 20 to 23 in Philadelphia.
“Expo East always attracts thousands of attendees, and OTA will have a strong presence at this premier event,” said Tom Chapman, CEO of the trade association. “Our education sessions will delve into the opportunities and challenges facing organic businesses, the concerns and questions of organic consumers, and provide new insights into the organic sector.”
Chapman is part of a stellar panel at the “Inside Organic: Elevating the Benefits of Organic from Seed to Shelf” education session. This session brings together top organic experts and policy makers who will dive into the latest organic research, policies and initiatives shaping the organic marketplace and tackle the issues that can be a barrier to organic certification. Joining Chapman will be Dr. Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program and Jeff Tkach, CEO of Rodale Institute. The panel will address critical topics for the organic industry, such as the new Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule, the upcoming Farm Bill and the importance of pairing “regenerative” with organic. Sherry Frey, Vice President of Total Wellness, NielsenIQ, will share new insights on today’s organic consumer, while Dr. Tucker will wrap up the session by leading a discussion on market development, branding and regulatory issues. This session begins at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 21.
The other organic sessions being offered are:
- Sustainable Harvests: Strategies for Supply Resilience & Business Prosperity.
From regenerative organic practices that increase the climate resilience of crops to finance models that grow the health and well-being of farming communities, an expert panel will look at how the natural products industry can shore up agricultural supply and economic resilience for years ahead. This session starts at 11 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 21. - A Thirst for Change: Beverage Innovations in Natural & Organic.
Drinks are a hub of innovation, and this category is often the first place a trend presents itself – be it an emerging ingredient, lifestyle choice, or dietary preference – before fanning out to the other aisles of the store. This session will examine what’s trending in the segment, why shoppers are willing to experiment here, where the most organic ingredient innovation is occurring and more. The session starts at 1 p.m. on Sept. 21. - From Labels to Loyalty: Understanding What Resonates With Consumers.
Organic and marketing experts will discuss what is driving consumer decision-making in the aisle. From certifications and labels with strong market recognition to the importance of community and storytelling, many factors impact where shoppers place their loyalty and trust. The session begins at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21.
You can find the full agenda of the OTA programs and events at Expo East here.
OTA’s member lounge will be at booth 1312 in the organic pavilion, where OTA staff will be available to answer any questions about organic and the activities of the association. Interested media should contact Maggie McNeil at mmcneil@ota.com.
About the Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 10,000 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.
