PORTLAND, ME. (June 23, 2009) — The 2009 All Things Organic™, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food trade shows, which also featured a focus on specialty food and health and wellness products and education, took place June 16-18, 2009, in Chicago, IL, at the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place. Thousands of retail buyers and industry professionals explored more than 400 booths of organic, ethnic, health & wellness and specialty products. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend 50+ hours of organic and health & wellness education.

Highlights from the show included:

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 23, 2009)— The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased that representatives of four of its member companies are seeking seats on the National Organic Standards Board, and is encouraging others to also submit applications.

“As the trade association for organic agricultural products in North America, OTA believes its members have expertise that would prove invaluable to this advisory body that helps clarify and strengthen national organic standards in the United States,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director.

For pictures of the signing, contact:
Sue McGovern
McGovern Communications
(781) 648-7157
sue@mcgov.com

SACKVILLE, NB (June 18, 2009) — The Organic Trade Association in Canada (OTA) responded in support of the announcement that Canada and the United States have signed an equivalency agreement allowing organic products to be traded between the two countries. The agreement will allow farmers in each country to certify to their domestic organic standards, but they will be able to sell their products as organic in both markets. This landmark, world-first organic equivalency agreement was signed by officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The signing took place in Chicago on Wednesday June 17 during the All Things Organic™ Conference & Trade Show at McCormick Place.

“This is a world-first,” said Matthew Holmes, OTA in Canada’s managing director. “The Government of Canada has just secured nearly unfettered access for Canadian organic farmers and food processors to a market that is over ten times the size of our own. This is a major win for Canada’s quickly-growing organic sector, and provides our producers and processors with assurances that they are competing with a level playing field.”

CHICAGO, Illinois (June 17, 2009)— USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, today in her keynote address at the Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show, announced that an equivalency agreement has been reached between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This historic equivalency agreement will allow the continued smooth flow of certified organic products between the two countries and support the continued growth of this rapidly expanding market in North America. It is the first such equivalency agreement worldwide for the organic industry.

The official signing will take place at Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show at Lakeview Center, McCormick Place this afternoon during the State of the Organic Industry in North America session. The agreement, signed by the two government agencies, takes effect on June 30.

“This is the first step toward global harmonization of organic standards, and marks an historic moment for the organic community,” Merrigan told a standing-room-only audience at All Things Organic™.

For pictures of the event, contact: Sue McGovern
McGovern Communications
(781) 648-7157
sue@mcgov.com

CHICAGO, Illinois (June 17, 2009)— USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, today in her keynote address at the Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show, announced that an equivalency agreement has been reached between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This historic equivalency agreement will allow the continued smooth flow of certified organic products between the two countries and support the continued growth of this rapidly expanding market in North America. It is the first such equivalency agreement worldwide for the organic industry.

The official signing will take place at Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show at Lakeview Center, McCormick Place this afternoon during the State of the Organic Industry in North America session. The agreement, signed by the two government agencies, takes effect on June 30.

As a result of the historic equivalency agreement, certified organic products as of July 1 can continue to move freely across the U.S. and Canadian border provided they use the new Canada Organic Biologique logo or the USDA Organic seal.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 16, 2009)—Tightening their spending habits amid economic uncertainty, U.S. families, however, are not giving up their purchases of organic products. In fact, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of U.S. families buy organic products at least occasionally, chiefly for health reasons according to a new study to be unveiled this week.

Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study, jointly sponsored by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and KIWI Magazine, also show that three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) are actually buying more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

“These findings reinforce the data collected in OTA’s 2009 Organic Industry Survey that showed continued healthy growth in U.S. sales of organic products,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s executive director.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 10, 2009)— Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study to be released next week at the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show in Chicago show that U.S. families are not giving up their purchases of organic products despite uncertainty over the economy.

In the study jointly sponsored by OTA and KIWI Magazine, three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) indicated they are actually purchasing more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 9,, 2009)—Julia Sabin of Smucker Natural Foods, Inc., has been re-elected by the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Board of Directors to continue as its President for the coming year.

Other officers for 2009-2010 are Matt McLean of Uncle Matt’s Organics, Inc.,Vice President – U.S.A.; Hélène Bouvier of Organic Ranchers, Inc., Vice President—Canada; Todd Linsky, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, Secretary; and Chuck Marcy, Healthy Food Holdings, LLC, Treasurer.

Organic Trade Association in Canada opposes introduction of genetically engineered alfalfa

Sackville, NB (June 9, 2009)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) in Canada has registered strong opposition to federal permission to allow production of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa in Canada.

“Alfalfa is a perfect crop for Canadian organic agriculture. It improves soil, feeds organic livestock and accounts for significant domestic and export sales,” said Matthew Holmes, managing director of OTA in Canada. “OTA joins the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate and more than 80 other organizations endorsing the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network campaign against genetically engineered alfalfa.”

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 3, 2009)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is appealing a Federal District Court ruling upholding Ohio’s regulation that takes away consumers’ rights to receive truthful information on dairy labels concerning the practices used to produce those products. The regulation goes against increasing consumer interest in knowing how their food is produced, and farmers’ rights to accurately communicate their production practices to consumers.

“OTA believes consumers have a right to know how their food was produced, and organic farmers and manufacturers should be allowed to tell them,” said Christine Bushway, executive director of OTA, the leading voice for the $24.6 billion organic industry in North America.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (May 13, 2009)—The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2009 Annual Fund Campaign raised over $520,000 to help fund OTA’s government affairs programs in the United States and Canada and marketing and public relations work to raise the profile of organic products across all sectors. The theme for this year’s fund campaign was “Today. Tomorrow, Together, Organic,” reflecting OTA’s vision to bring organic to the next level of growth and sustainability by industry members working together on issues and goals.

“Although this amount falls somewhat short of our ambitious goal of $650,000, the generous support of organic companies in tough economic times is indicative of continued commitment to work together for the good of the organic industry,” said Julia Sabin (Smucker Natural Foods, Inc.), co-chair of the OTA 2009 Annual Fund Host Committee and OTA Board President.

Greenfield, MA – May 11, 2009 – Fresh on the heels of announcing double-digit growth for the organic industry, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has named the recipients of its prestigious Organic Leadership Awards: Canadian organic advocate Paddy Doherty of British Columbia; and America’s first and most influential organic rice growing family, Eldon, Wendell, Harlan and Homer Lundberg of California.

“Paddy Doherty and the Lundberg brothers are hard-working, committed organic heroes whose determination, passion and vision have helped the organic industry survive and thrive despite often difficult and challenging times,” said OTA Executive Director Christine Bushway.

The 2009 Organic Leadership Award recipients will be honored at the OTA Annual Dinner and Dance on Wednesday, June 17, during the All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show in Chicago. The award trophy, a hand-blown glass “inhabited planet” by artist Josh Simpson, has been presented since 1997, when Sen. Patrick Leahy was the recipient.

A portion of the funding has been allocated for every state and is available exclusively through a special signup under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. To qualify, a producer must be certified through the National Organic Program or be in the process of transitioning to organic production.

“The Organic Trade Association is pleased to see this support and recognition from USDA that organic farming practices represent positive environmental practices. OTA believes that this funding will further encourage farmers to use such practices and help increase the U.S. production of organic food to meet growing consumer demand,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director.

Merrigan’s presentation is slated to directly follow the Organic Trade Association’s Annual Meeting and directly precede the opening of the trade show. The time allotted will be 30 minutes. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, who is a long-time advocate of organic agriculture, will speak on directions at USDA that would impact the organic industry in the short and long term.

The upcoming 2009 All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show will take place June 16-18 at the Lakeview Center at McCormick Place in Chicago.

While the overall economy has been losing ground, sales of organic products reflect very strong growth during 2008. “Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director.

The survey, conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA, measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008. Results show organic food sales grew in 2008 by 15.8 percent to reach $22.9 billion, while organic non-food sales grew by an astounding 39.4 percent to reach $1.648 billion. As a result, organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the United States.