Seen and Heard at OPS 2022

Last week, 1,700 OPS attendees gathered together in Monterey, CA, to celebrate the organic fresh produce industry. From engaging retailer tours and informative educational sessions to inspiring keynote presentations and a trade show exhibition featuring over 150 organic produce growers, shippers, and processors, OPS 2022 had something for everyone.

OPS attendees enjoy the opening reception on Wednesday night

Brandon Rankin (King Fresh Produce), Isabel Pena (Frank's Distributing), Monica Martinez (Frank's Distributing), and Kailey Salmon (King Fresh Produce) during the opening reception

"This was my first field tour. Its super fun and impactful, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the workers and I’m very happy that I was able to participate in this.” -Katie Jakubowski, Senior Category Manager, Topco Associates

 

Michael Evans (Topco Associates), Katie Jakubowski (Topco Associates) and Alexandra Rae Molumby (Bako Sweet) on the Braga field tour

Rod Braga (Braga Fresh Family Farms), Steven Locke (Topco Associates), Joe Stoltz (HyVee), and Jeff Mallory (HyVee) enjoy the lunch during the retailer field tours at Braga Farms

Sarah Claude-Parent (Metro Richelieu), Joelle Biron (Metro Richelieu), Oscar Moreno (Sunbasket), Steven Huffman (Sunbasket), and Sonny Rodriguez (Sobeys) enjoy their time on the Braga field tour

“Its great that it’s a hands-on tour, and it's super nice that they will sit and answer every single question that we have no matter how controversial it is. Again, it's super nice to be in the field and see it first-hand [and] experience it from start until it ends up in the hands of us and then to our customers.” -Matt Fowler, Senior Produce Buyer, Natural Grocers

 

Excited attendees getting ready for the 2022 keynote presentations

Keynote speaker John Ruane of The Giant Company

Keynote panel featuring moderator Walter Robb and panelists Michael Schutt, Jeff Cady, and Edmund LaMacchia

“I was able to attend the very first OPS in 2016 and was taken back at how large the summit has grown. There was so much great content, and [it is] truly best in class as an industry food show.” -Robert Tubbs, Senior Category Manager, Harris Teeter 

 

Keynote presenter David Katz, Founder and CEO, Plastic Bank

Keynote presenter John Ruane of The Giant Company speaks to a captivated audience at OPS 2022

“I enjoy coming to OPS; I love that I always learn something new each year!” -Keith Tsuchiyama, Senior Category Manager, Bristol Farms/Lazy Acres

Attendees thrive on the jam-packed trade show floor

Davis Mochizuki (Albertsons), Shawn Peery (Albertsons), Greg Jensen (Albertsons), Rich Mendosa (Albertsons), and Peter LeBlond (Jacobs Farm del Cabo) on the trade show floor

Joseph Bunting (United Supermarkets), Codie Hair (United Supermarkets) and Don Roper (Honeybear Brands)

“OPS is a great show with a lot of variety. It’s innovative and has good people.” -Jason Glunt, Category Manager, Sprouts Farmers Market