An examination and discussion of the burgeoning growth of indoor-grown fresh produce and its impact on the organic produce market will be the topic of the first of four educational sessions at Organic Produce Summit 2021. Growth of CEA and Its Impact on Organic Fresh Produce will feature leaders from three cutting-edge Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) producers offering their insight on the growth of this emerging market segment and how these products are reshaping the landscape of fresh food production.

Walter Robb

Moderated by Walter Robb, former CEO of Whole Foods, the educational session will discuss the growth of CEA and how it has changed fresh produce production. Additionally, the session will include insight into the ramifications of CEA production for the organic fresh produce industry. 

Philip Karp, President, Shenandoah Growers

Session panelists will include Philip Karp, President, Shenandoah Growers; Marc Oshima, Co-Founder, AeroFarms; and Caitlin Tierney, Director of Business Development, Mastronardi Produce.

Production of fresh produce in CEA has become a $100 billion-plus industry. Growing indoors uses less water and no pesticides while incorporating innovative and efficient technologies to provide fresher produce to consumers. 

Caitlin Tierney, Director of Business Development, Mastronardi Produce 

“Indoor agriculture is increasingly playing a more meaningful role in our fresh produce supply in terms of volume, variety, and geographical footprint,” said Robb. “The ability of indoor ag to provide predictability and resiliency for supply, coupled with its lower impact on both the environment and resource use, is drawing substantial interest from both investors and consumers. Clearly the future will be a hybrid one, and our panel will explore how quickly and responsibly this will happen.” 

Organic Produce Summit 2021 is a live and in-person two-day event specifically designed to bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retail and buying organizations from across North America. Over 1,000 attendees will meet September 15-16 in Monterey, CA, to exchange ideas, information, and insights on the organic fresh produce industry.    

Marc Oshima, Co-founder, AeroFarms

Other educational sessions and keynote presenters at OPS 2021 will be announced in the coming weeks. OPS 2021 also includes a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers, a gala opening night reception, and a sold-out trade show floor featuring over 150 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from across North America and the globe.