Weekly Top 5: Organic News To Help You Grow #70

Jennifer Tucker Named Deputy Administrator for National Organic Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of Jennifer Tucker as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), part of the Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area. Tucker has served as Associate Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program since 2011.

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Soil Association Poll Reveals Shopper Opinions on Organic Produce Packaging

New research carried out by Soil Association Certification, in association with England Marketing, has revealed most shoppers are committed to reducing plastic and household waste, believe that the level of packaging currently found in many supermarkets is unnecessary and think retailers and producers should be doing more to reduce it.

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Organic Trade Association Names New Farm Policy Director

The Organic Trade Association today announced Johanna Mirenda will join the organization’s Regulatory Team as its new Farm Policy Director. She will begin her new post on August 6.

An expert in organic regulations, Mirenda has served as Technical Director for the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) since 2015. 

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Phillips Mushroom Farms Increases Organic Production

Leading mushroom producer, Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, is increasing organic production to keep pace with the growing demand. A few years ago, the company developed and built a new cutting-edge mushroom farm in Warwick, MD. The facility has been expanded a couple of times since it opened, and now it’s being expanded again specifically for organic production.

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Stemilt Offers Hot Apricot Sales this Summer

Summer welcomes the start of Stemilt’s apricot season. The company is encouraging retailers to open those promotional windows right now to kick off hot summer sales of Artisan Organics™ and conventional apricots. The 2018 crop is heavy with larger sizes and retailers should center promotions on bulk sales.  With the beautiful coloring and organic availability, panta packs will be the primary pack type for Stemilt apricots.

"Organics over the years seems to have waves of interest. The amount of interest customers have grows and fades, however it does continue to build traction and I believe it will continue to grow."

Scot Olson
Grocery Outlet