News
New Organic Coffees and Market Data Announced at Union Square Cafe in NYC May 13
What: New organic coffees will be sampled and organic coffee market data announced at New York City's popular Union Square Cafe Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at an event hosted by the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association. Participants in the Collaboration are Dallis Coffee, Elan Organic Coffees, Equal Exchange, Fresh Harvest Products, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company.
Announcing the new market data is internationally recognized coffee market analyst Mr. Daniele Giovannucci who has tracked organic coffee data for decades and is the author of a number of books and reports on the topic including the April 2008 book on value-added standards in the North American food market by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
OTA Congratulates Conference Committee on Farm Bill Work
Immediate Release For further information, contact:
Barbara Haumann: (413) 774-7511, ext. 20
Caren Wilcox: (202) 338-2900
GREENFIELD, Mass. (May 2, 2008)-The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today congratulated the Congressional Conference Committee for its hard work in pursuing its goal to deliver a Farm Bill for American farmers and consumers, by agreeing in principle to provisions in a Conference Report. "OTA is very pleased that organic agriculture and processing received positive recognition in the discussions on this 2007/2008 Farm Bill," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director.
Organic Trade Association Reiterates Its Opposition to Ohio's Proposed Action on Dairy Labeling
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
Flood of Consumer Letters Urges Ohio Dept. of Agriculture to Reject Proposed Rule
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 8, 2008)- For the second time in less than a month, the 1,650-member Organic Trade Association (OTA), which represents all sectors of the organic business community in North America, presented testimony against Ohio Department of Agriculture's (ODA) proposed rule on dairy labeling (proposed revised Administrative Rule 901:11-8-01) and its 'emergency' implementation by Governor Ted Strickland.
"This proposed rule prevents organic farmers and processors from truthfully communicating with consumers about federally regulated organic production practices and denies consumers the right to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," testified Caren Wilcox, Executive Director of the OTA.
"As the Director (of the Ohio Department of Agriculture) knows, substantial numbers of consumers have been contacting his office to express their desire to continue to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," said Wilcox, referring to the more than 2,441 letters that have been sent from concerned citizens to Ohio's Governor, Joint Committee of Agency Rule Review Chairman, and Director of Agriculture.
OTA 2008 fund campaign raises over $630,000
News Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-774-7511, Ext. 20)
GREENFIELD, Mass. (April 2, 2008)-The Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) 2008 Annual Fund campaign surpassed its goal of $600,000, raising more than $630,000 to help fund OTA's public policy, marketing and public relations efforts planned for 2008. 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.
"We had a record year," said Julia Sabin (Smucker Quality Beverages), co-chair of the OTA 2008 Annual Fund Host Committee and OTA Board Vice President - U.S. "OTA is engaged in promoting and protecting organic agriculture and trade on so many fronts, and our supporters know how important OTA is to their businesses. Working together through OTA, we can have a greater, more positive impact on the future of our industry."
"I think word of OTA's successes continues to spread throughout the organic business community," added Host Committee Co-Chair Tony Faudel (United Natural Foods). "OTA members and non-members alike were motivated to give knowing OTA's priorities for the Farm Bill, Canadian Organic Standards, and new marketing initiatives are critical to seeing more growth for organic."
Organic Trade Association opposes Missouri's proposed action on dairy labeling
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (April 1, 2008) - If Missouri's proposed legislation passes, affecting labeling on dairy products sold in Missouri, farmers who are choosing to convert to organic production will be discouraged from doing so as will other dairies seeking to satisfy consumer demand, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the business association that represents more than 1,650 members of the organic industry throughout North America.
In a letter to the Hon. Brian Munzlinger, Chair of the Special Committee on Agri-Business (which held a public hearing on the proposed legislation today) and a sponsor of the bill, OTA Executive Director Caren Wilcox stated, "In its current form, the proposed law would deny consumers their right to receive, and processors' right to provide, information about the non-use of synthetic growth hormones. It also interferes with interstate commerce by creating new labeling requirements that are more stringent than the 1994 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance - guidance that was reinforced in 2007 when proponents of state laws like the one proposed in Missouri approached FDA and the Federal trade Commission (FTC) and were rebuffed. Furthermore, requiring farmers and their processor dairies to comply with labeling laws on a state-by-state basis could reduce choices in Missouri, and might encourage consumers to favor non-dairy beverages."
Organic Trade Association to honor organic leaders in April
News Release Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-774-7511, Ext. 20)
Drew and Myra Goodman and Ray Fuller to be recognized for outstanding contributions to the organic community
Organic Trade Association opposes Ohio’s proposed action on dairy labeling
News Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
or Sue McGovern 781-648-7157
COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 12, 2008)- In written testimony submitted today by its executive director Caren Wilcox, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the voice of the organic industry in North America, informed the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) that the OTA strongly opposes a proposed rule that would affect labeling claims on dairy products sold in Ohio.
"This rule prevents organic dairy farmers and processors from truthfully communicating with retailers and consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices. It also prevents Ohio consumers from exercising full and free choice in determining which products they wish to purchase," Wilcox stated in regard to the proposed Administrative Rule 901:11-8-01 on dairy labeling and its "emergency" implementation through Executive Order 2008-03S.
Organic Trade Association sees promise in Minister of Agriculture's support for "going organic"
For more information, contact:
Matthew Holmes, managing director
Organic Trade Association in Canada
613.482.1717; (c) 506.260.7537; mholmes@ota.com
(Sackville, NB, March 11, 2008) - The Organic Trade Association in Canada (OTA) is encouraged by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's suggestion on Monday that new federal programs will support farmers interesting in "going organic".
As the Canadian organic market booms with annual growth above 20%, the need for more farmers to transition into organic production methods is a real concern.
OTA in Canada is calling on the federal government to go one step further and identify organic farming as part of its environmental "green plan".
"It's time to take a new look at organic farming in terms of what it can do for farmers, the environment and the Canadian economy," said Matthew Holmes, managing director of OTA in Canada. "Organic products now make up a significant part of the overall food sector, and organic farming offers a rare success story for Canadian agriculture." But more is needed, says Holmes: the Canadian government should also consider organic farming an environmental priority as it introduces new measure this week to address climate change.
Organic Trade Association opposes Utah's proposed action on dairy labeling
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Feb. 26, 2008)— An Organic Trade Association (OTA) representative today told the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) that OTA strongly opposes a proposed rule that would affect labeling claims on dairy products sold in Utah.
'Naturally Raised' claim would only add to consumer confusion
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
Organic Trade Association tells USDA: 'Naturally Raised' claim would only add to consumer confusion
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 29, 2008)- In a comment submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) yesterday, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) advised the agency that its proposed voluntary standard for a 'naturally raised' marketing claim for livestock products would only further confuse consumers.
"This proposed voluntary standard, if adopted, is bound to add to consumer confusion. Consumers already do not understand 'natural' claims on products, and this proposal will only further muddy the waters on what such claims mean," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director. "The organic label, meanwhile, covers both how animals are raised and how meat is processed, and all organic animal products sold in the U.S. must meet or exceed U.S. organic standards."
Pennsylvania milk labeling
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-774-7511, Ext. 20
Organic farmers and processors pleased with
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture milk labeling decision
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 17, 2008)- Pennsylvania's revised milk labeling standards issued today rescind prior controversial standards guidance that could have adversely affected the labels on organic milk, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) noted. As a result, organic milk can continue to carry verified production-based claims, including that the milk was produced without the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), a genetically engineered growth hormone used to stimulate milk production. These labels are sometimes characterized as "absence claims" because they describe truthfully what is not used in the production of the product.
Organic Trade Association: Organic will not include food from cloned animals
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-774-7511, Ext. 20
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 15, 2008)-The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today reiterated that meat, milk and other products produced from cloned animals will not be able to be sold as organic in the United States.
OTA issued the reassurance after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its conclusion that foods from cloned animals and their offspring are as safe as those produced from traditionally bred animals. FDA today posted a risk assessment report, risk management plan and guidance for industry to outline its regulatory approach on animal cloning.
Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (OAPEI)
Contact: Barbara Haumann
Phone: 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
For Immediate Release
Organic Trade Association helps launch new educational institute:
Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute receives first gift
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 11, 2008)-The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today announced the launch of the Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (OAPEI) and the receipt of the first donation to support its work.
"OTA is excited to have helped to establish this new 501(c) 3 venture, and gratified that a founding donor has stepped forward to help begin its work," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's Executive Director and President of the Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute.
OAPEI's mission is to educate agriculturists, processors, consumers, students, academics, and other professionals about the attributes and benefits of organic agriculture and products. It will make efforts to reach special and diverse communities as they learn about organic agriculture and the products that fill this fast growing segment of food, fiber and personal care products.
Organic Trade Association names Director of Marketing and Public Relations
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Holly Givens (413-774-7511, Ext. 18)
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 3, 2008)—Caren Wilcox, Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), has announced the appointment of OTA’s new Director of Marketing and Public Relations.
“We are excited to have attracted an organic business professional to work with us to move OTA’s marketing and public relations to a new level of excellence. Laura Batcha, formerly of Tom’s of Maine, will join us in late January in this newly created position,” Wilcox said.
Batcha has been a member of the natural and organic business community for over 15 years. She brings a range of experience including owning and operating an organic herbal products business, as well as seven years at Tom’s of Maine, Inc. in leadership positions in the areas of product development, marketing, business development and her most recent role as Director of Grassroots Strategy and Development. She holds a masters degree from Marlboro College in Management Science with an emphasis on new technology applications. She lives with her family on a small working organic vegetable farm (CSA) in Southern Vermont.
January, 2008 O'Mama Report Update
Happy New Year! The O'Mama Report Update for January 2008 is brought to you by the Organic Trade Association. The new year can be a symbol of new beginnings so we are featuring articles, a knitting pattern, and a recipe — all for baby.
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