Organic Trade Association
Industry innovation spurs Organic Trade Association move to tighten organic standards
OTA says petitions to USDA will continue trend of reducing synthetics in organic food
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 6, 2014) – Acting on extensive feedback and input from its members, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) on Thursday filed two petitions with the National Organic Program to amend the National List of substances that can be used in organic production and processing – in one case strengthening the requirement for organic ingredients and in the other, removing a non-organic substance from the list.
Organic Trade Association reaching out to more organic farmers
OTA launches new Farmstead Membership category
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 21, 2014) – The Franklin family has been farming in southern Vermont for nine generations. A family operation with one son helping full-time and two others pitching in on weekends, the certified organic dairy farm stays busy raising and milking some 52 dairy cows, along with producing fresh organic eggs and farm-raised organic beef, and some of the best-tasting organic maple syrup in Vermont.
Early findings of Harvard, Northeastern research show organic's benefits
The Organic Center trustees hear updates on health, soil projects
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 2, 2014) -- Members of The Organic Center's Board of Trustees gathered at Harvard University this week for their annual retreat and for scientific briefings on collaborative research on organic's impact on the health of humans and the environment. After hearing the updates, they reported that preliminary findings of the research support the benefits of organic food and farming and show organic's potential to solve a host of real-world concerns.
Organic social media festival reaches more than 15 million consumers
Success of OTA event demonstrates huge interest in organic
Contact: Maggie McNeil (202-403-8514, mmcneil@ota.com).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 26, 2014) –A mom shared a picture of her toddler watering their organic vegetable garden, a college student asked about the stringency of organic standards, a diabetic adhering to a gluten-free diet appreciated the organic recipes and an influential Capitol Hill reporter tweeted to her thousands of followers about Organic Palooza. That’s just a smattering of the reaction and buzz created by the Organic Trade Association’s first-ever social media festival.
The Organic Center tops crowdfunding goal in its fight against citrus disease
TOC is leading the effort to find organic solutions for all growers
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 24, 2014) --Thanks to donations ranging from $5 to as large as $5,000, The Organic Center has raised $20,417 through its first-ever crowdfunding drive – easily exceeding its goal of $15,000—as part of a major campaign to fund The Center’s research effort to find organic solutions to a devastating disease threatening the nation’s citrus industry.
Organic sector praises Canada-Japan deal
OTTAWA (September 23, 2014)—After intensive discussions between the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Japan and Canada have agreed on an equivalency in organic products. An in-depth review and on-site audit of each other's rules for organic production concluded that the organic standards and enforcement regimes of Japan and Canada meet the same objectives, allowing organic products to be sold in both countries.
OTA encouraged by FDA revisions to Food Safety Modernization Act
Feedback from the organic sector has a meaningful impact
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com, 202-403-8514).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 19, 2014) – Encouraged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) revised language for its new rules implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Organic Trade Association (OTA) said on Friday that the revisions clearly indicate that FDA listened to the feedback from organic producers and handlers and responded to the unique requirements of the organic system.
Organic leaders assess strategic challenges now and in future
OTA says expanding organic acreage is key issue for next decade
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Sept. 18, 2014) – The state of the organic industry is thriving, filled with opportunities on a host of fronts but faced with challenges on many, said Organic Trade Association Executive Director and CEO Laura Batcha at the Natural Products Expo East trade show in Baltimore on Thursday.
Melissa Hughes of Organic Valley to lead OTA’s Board of Directors
Board members announced at OTA’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore Sept. 17
BALTIMORE, MD (Sept. 18, 2014) –Melissa Hughes of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative was tapped on Wednesday as the new president of the Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors by fellow Board members. Elected as an OTA director in 2013, Hughes is General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative.
New program promotes using organic t-shirts for marketing
OTA members get discount on T-shirts produced using strict organic processing standards
Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 16, 2014) –The Organic Trade Association (OTA) wants to prove that doing good can be a win-win deal for everyone involved. In a new partnership with sustainable fashion manufacturer MetaWear, OTA is encouraging its members to promote their businesses, brands and causes on custom-printed organic, eco-friendly t-shirts, and support their trade association at the same time.
Industry “ambassador” selected for first OTA Member of the Year Award
Steve Crider of Amy’s Kitchen to be honored at OTA Annual Meeting
Contact: Barbara Haumann (802-275-3820, bhaumann@ota.com).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 15, 2014) – Steve Crider doesn’t see a problem with being outspoken and tenacious, especially when it comes to getting things done in Washington to support the organic food and agriculture movement and to act as advocate and champion for the organic industry.
State agricultural directors hosted by the Organic Trade Association
OTA stresses role of organic for states
Contact: Maggie McNeil (202-403-8514, mmcneil@ota.com).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 12, 2014) – Organic Trade Association Executive Director and CEO Laura Batcha told the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Friday that organic farming is in all states, and that state directors of agriculture who care about jobs and vitality should care about organic.
Millions taking part in “Organic-Palooza,” organic’s first-ever social media festival
Even more consumers are encouraged to participate in the remaining discussions
Contact: Maggie McNeil (202-403-8514, mmcneil@ota.com).
WASHINGTON (Sept. 11, 2014) –Four days in, nearly 10 million* consumers have either taken part in or been exposed to “Organic-Palooza,” the organic industry’s first-ever social media festival.
Organic Center receives $5,000 matching grant for citrus greening research
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (Sept. 10, 2014) -- A new matching grant from RSF Social Financial to The Organic Center will help increase the impact of the public’s contribution to find organic solutions to the devastating citrus disease called citrus greening.
OTA to highlight key organic issues at Natural Products Expo East
Consumer concerns, GMOs, latest trends top OTA’s “All Things Organic” in Baltimore
Contact: Maggie McNeil (202-403-8514, mmcneil@ota.com).
WASHINGTON (Sept. 10, 2014) – It’s been a busy year for the organic industry. Record sales in the United States, intensifying competition for the attention of the increasingly savvy organic consumer, and a dogged debate over what organic really stands for have meant a very full plate for the organic community.
Organic thought leaders team up to get out organic message
Organic Trade Association to throw first-ever #OrganicFestival on social media
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (Sept. 3, 2014) – It’s party time at the Organic Trade Association. For 10. Straight. Days. And everyone’s invited.
September is “Organic Month,” and OTA and its member companies are teaming up with other leading organic influencers to throw “Organic-Palooza,” a first-ever 10-day social media festival that gets going on September 8 to celebrate the benefits of organic, clear up confusion about what organic really stands for, and share how and why consumers should incorporate more organic – whether it’s organic food or organic fiber – into their lives.
Three organic visionaries to receive 2014 Organic Leadership Awards
Celebration set for September at American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore
Contact: Barbara Haumann (802-275-3820; bhaumann@ota.com)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 7, 2014)—A pioneer and tireless teacher of the organic way for more than 40 years, an organic farmer dedicated to making his farming operation a compelling example of a better way to farm, and an environmental engineer who triggered an organic revolution in the mattress and bedding industry will be honored next month by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for their visionary work that is transforming organic farming and trade.
Organic industry briefs Congress on its efforts to fight deadly citrus disease
Concerns rising about dangerous chemicals being used to ward off disease
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (July 29, 2014) – As concerns rise over the heavy spraying of unhealthy chemicals in many of the most productive citrus regions of the country to fight off a deadly citrus disease, staff members from more than a dozen congressional offices gathered for a briefing on Tuesday to hear from the organic industry on its efforts to find safe approved organic ways to ward off the threat.
