Organic Trade Association

Launch coincides with industry’s largest gathering of retailers

Contact: Angela Jagiello (ajagiello@ota.com; 802-275-3831)

Anaheim, Calif., (March 6, 2014)—The Organic Trade Association today launched its newest communications platform –The Organic Market Basket – a twice monthly e-newsletter that is offered at no cost for retailers. The announcement was made as an estimated 60,000 attendees gathered here for Natural Products Expo West.

Organic-Approved Antibiotics Sunsetting – Report Aims to Help Growers Keep Certification

Contacts:
Eric Davis, Harvest PR, 612.424.7545, eric@harvest-pr.com
Dr. Jessica Shade, The Organic Center, 202.403.8517, jshade@organic-center.org

WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2014) – With approved antibiotics for fire blight control expiring for organic apple and pear growers this fall, The Organic Center has released an essential report featuring existing practices and emerging research to help growers control fire blight while maintaining organic certification.

Unveils new online resources and hosts global buyers meetings at EXPO West

Contact: Sue McGovern (suemcgovern7@gmail.com; 781-315-3400)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3, 2014) – Determined to secure the ongoing success of the global organic trade market that is projected to reach $100 billion by 2015, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) will launch online resources essential to the global organic import and export community and host foreign buyer meetings at Natural Products EXPO West March 6-8 from Booth 2010 in the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA.

Seed improvement, the GOTS label, and popularity of “Made in the USA” bode well for sector

Contact: Angela Jagiello (ajagiello@ota.com; 802-275-3831)

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2014)—Looking at the status of U.S. organic cotton production, the 2012 and Preliminary 2013 U.S. Organic Cotton Production & Marketing Trends report prepared by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) identifies three building blocks for the long-term success and viability of domestic organic cotton production.

Researcher to receive organization’s prestigious Award of Excellence

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb 18, 2014)—The first recipient of The Organic Center’s (The Center’s) newly established Award of Excellence will be recognized in March at the organization’s annual VIP Dinner held in conjunction with Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA.

Years of advocacy for organic priorities grow recognition for the sector

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 4, 2014)—The Senate’s passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 today clears the way for the bill to proceed to President Obama for final sign-off into law. The legislation, adopted by the House of Representatives on Jan. 29, includes numerous priorities the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has been seeking for more than two years.

Years of advocacy for organic priorities grow recognition for the sector

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 29, 2014)—The House of Representatives’ passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 this morning clears the way for the Senate to consider the bill, which includes numerous priorities the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has been seeking for more than two years.

Jan 8, 2014 - These data confirm what numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown: that organic products have significantly lower rates of pesticide residues, while the few products that do show trace chemicals are at much lower levels than the average for conventional produce.

Choice is seasoned organic professional Laura Batcha

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2014) -The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today announced the appointment of a new CEO/Executive Director, with Laura Batcha now on board as the fourth executive director in the association's 29-year history. OTA is the North American membership-based trade association whose mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Market will stay open to U.S. organic exports beyond January 1

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 2, 2013)— Korean officials this week announced measures that will allow the continued stream of commerce for U.S. organic processed products for the next six months.

Market will stay open to U.S. organic exports beyond January 1

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 2, 2013)— Korean officials this week announced measures that will allow the continued stream of commerce for U.S. organic processed products for the next six months.

The Organic Center’s 10 New Year’s Resolutions to last a lifetime

Contact: Jessica Shade, Ph.D., The Organic Center, Phone 202-403-8517, 444 N. Capitol St. NW, DC 20001

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 31, 2013)— What is a New Year’s Resolution you can make today that can last a lifetime – and beyond? Going organic – which is good for you, your family and the planet.

For 2014, The Organic Center, the trusted source of information for scientific research about organic food and farming, offers 10 everyday, research-backed organic resolutions individuals can follow:

Korean market set to close to U.S. organic exports January 1, 2014

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2013)— This past week, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and 12 of her Senate colleagues sent a letter to Korean Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young expressing concern that the Korean market may close to organic exports on Jan. 1, 2014. The letter urges the Ambassador to take steps to prevent any disruption in trade by keeping the Korean market open to products certified organic to the USDA National Organic Program standard, pending the negotiation of an equivalency agreement.

http://www.organic-center.org/Organic offers clear choice, now, for those seeking foods produced without antibiotics

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 11, 2013)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is implementing plans to help phase out the use of antibiotics, medically important to fighting disease in humans, for enhancing growth or to improve feed efficiency in food-producing animals. In final guidance, FDA outlines a voluntary, phased-in approach to remove their routine use for industrial production practices. This announcement comes on the heels of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released this year that pointed out, “Up to half of antibiotic use in humans and much of antibiotic use in animals are unnecessary.”

Eating Organic for a Family of Four for $25/Day or Less – 7 Helpful Tips + 3 Great Recipes

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

Brattleboro, VT. (Dec. 3, 2013) – Think a family on a budget can’t eat all organic all the time? Think again. With proper planning and preparation, families of four can enjoy three organic meals every day for less than $25, according to tips and recipe suggestions offered by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the leading voice for organic trade in the United States.

La version française

OTTAWA (November 15, 2013)—Dag Falck, Organic Program Manager for Nature’s Path Foods, has been named the new Board President of the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA).

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to help lead our community at this time.” said Dag, adding: “COTA’s research shows our market has tripled to $3 billion a year, while exports continue to grow. We want to ensure our strict government-enforced organic standards continue to build consumer confidence here at home, while opening new opportunities in other markets.”