Organic Trade Association
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.
Organic Sector Encourages Provinces to Adopt National Organic Rules
Contact: Matthew Holmes, Executive Director , Canada Organic Trade Association , (613) 482-1717
French version: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1387291/le-secteur-des-produits-biologiques-encourage-l-adoption-de-regles-nationales-par-les-provinces)
OTTAWA, July 15, 2014 The Canada Organic Trade Association is congratulating the Province of New Brunswick on new organic regulations announced in June. The new rules ensure products sold as organic in the province meet strict national standards. New Brunswick joins Quebec and Manitoba as the only provinces that have adopted Canada's national organic regime.
Conclusive study finds big nutritional benefits for organic
Study reinforces what millions of consumers already know: organic makes a difference
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (July 11, 2014) – A major new study from the United Kingdom finds conclusive evidence that organic crops, and the food made from them, are nutritionally superior to their conventional counterparts, corrects many of the shortcomings of earlier studies and should put to rest any doubts about the benefits of organic, said the lead scientist of The Organic Center in responding to the landmark study.
The Organic Center launches major research effort to fight citrus greening
Organic growers to get critical help in battling deadly disease
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2014) – On any day, a carton of orange juice can be found in almost 7 out of 10 American refrigerators. Americans drink more than 550 million gallons of orange juice every year with more than 60 million gallons of that juice being organic. And the appetite for organic juice – and organic citrus -- is just getting bigger.
Organic Trade Association welcomes U.S.-Korea agreement
OTA sees pact creating jobs, opportunity for U.S. organic sector
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (July 1, 2014) – The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today welcomed a new organic equivalency arrangement between the United States and Korea, saying it reopens a critically important Asian market for U.S. organic processed food products, and will create jobs and opportunity for the American organic food and farming sector.
Aversion to GMOs becoming driving factor to buying organic
Health motivation still top reason to go organic; parents also want to steer clear of GMO
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2014) -- Of all the thoughts that race through the mind of a mom or dad as they do the weekly grocery shopping and decide whether to put an organic or non-organic item in the shopping cart, the desire to stay away from foods that have been genetically modified has never been greater.
International market analyst Monique Marez joins Organic Trade Association Team
Strategic projects specialist will be Senior Manager for International Trade
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (June 23) -- Monique Marez this week joins the staff of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) as its Senior Manager for International Trade. Marez most recently served as Strategic Projects Manager for Great Performances, a leader in the hospitality industry that specializes in using and promoting organic food.
Parents willing to pay the premium for organic food, survey shows
Price now less of a barrier to buying organic
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 19, 2014) -- No two ways about it. Organic food usually costs a little more than non-organic. But a new study shows that an increasing number of American parents are willing to dig deeper into their wallets to buy products that carry the organic seal.
Organic Trade Association to participate in IFT session on labeling organic products
Organic equivalency agreements open more doors to international markets
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 17, 2014)—U.S. organic producers have more opportunities than ever to export their harvest now that the United States has agreements covering organic products with the European Union, Canada and Japan, and one nearly finalized with Korea. Taking advantage of such international market opportunities will be among the topics in an Organic Trade Association-led panel discussion at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans later this week.
More parents choosing organic for their kids, says new study
Organic baby food making huge inroads, including in daycares
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON (June 16, 2014) -- Lawmakers on Capitol Hill may be fighting over the standards of the lunches being served to American children in schools, but in households across the nation, parents are in growing agreement that organic food is the most healthy choice for the meals they are in charge of, shows a new study by the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
Organic Trade Association to lead panel discussion at United Fresh 2014
Leaders will explore impact of organic produce sales on overall produce growth
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-403-8514 or 202-615-7997)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 9, 2014)— What does it mean for fresh fruit and vegetable sales that almost a quarter of the carrots now being purchased in U.S. grocery stores are organic? What impact does the promotion of organic agriculture have on the overall fresh produce market?
Organic farmers hone in on supply issues at OTA Policy Conference
Farmers Advisory Council meets with stakeholders to problem-solve
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-615-7997 or 202-403-8514)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2014)—The voice of organic farmers rang loud and clear at this year’s Organic Trade Association’s Annual Policy Conference in discussions convened by OTA’s new Farmers Advisory Council (FAC) on how to address increasing concerns over short supplies in the rapidly expanding organic sector.
Kingdom of Bhutan shares story on commitment to go 100% organic
Organic Trade Association members gain inspiration from one nation’s path to organic
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-615-7997 or 202-403-8514)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2014)—The tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan may be one of the smallest nations in the world, but its recent decision to convert its agricultural production entirely to organic could have enormous implications for agricultural practices around the globe.
Organic Industry honors Sen. Stabenow with Public Servant Award
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-615-7997 or 202-403-8514)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2014)--Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan was awarded the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Public Servant Award on Wednesday for her outstanding and critical support of the organic industry throughout her career.
OTA Annual Policy Conference to Address Key Organic Issues
Fast-growing organic industry sees big opportunities, challenges
Contact: Maggie McNeil (mmcneil@ota.com; 202-615-7997 or 202-403-8514)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 20, 2014) -- Key players in the North American organic industry will find a full plate of issues to digest when they gather in Washington, D.C. for the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Annual Policy Conference on Wednesday, May 21.
American appetite for organic products breaks through $35 billion mark
New survey shows organic sales jump nearly 12% in 2013 to a new record
Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2014) -- American consumers have not had their fill of organic products yet. In fact, sales of organic products in the United States jumped to $35.1 billion in 2013, up 11.5% from the previous year’s $31.5 billion and the fastest growth rate in five years, according to the latest survey on the organic industry from the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
Nominations sought for three prestigious Organic Leadership Awards
Deadline for 2014 submissions is May 30
Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 12, 2014) — The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is currently accepting nominations for its annual prestigious Organic Leadership Awards, which recognize organic heroes who have made a significant difference to organic agriculture, industry and trade.
Veteran journalist Maggie McNeil joins OTA as head of Media Relations team
Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 8, 2014) — The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has taken another important step in expanding the message and critical story of organic products to the public by hiring accomplished writer and editor Maggie McNeil as its Director of Media Relations.
