2010 Press Releases

Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com)

BRATTLEBORO, Vermont (Sept. 3, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA), which has called Greenfield, MA, home since 1990, today is celebrating the upcoming move of its headquarters to the Graduate Center building in downtown Brattleboro planned for later this fall.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com)

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 31, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today lauded a decision by the Korean Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIFAFF) to extend its current organic labeling regulations for imports until Dec. 31, 2012, thus allowing continued access by U.S. organic companies to export organic food products to Korea.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-376-1220)

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 24, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today announced it has selected Theresa Marquez of Organic Valley and Bob Quinn of Kamut® International to receive its prestigious Organic Leadership Awards for 2010.

“Theresa Marquez and Bob Quinn have shown outstanding initiative and devotion to organic, and their contributions clearly demonstrate how organic enterprises and agriculture can thrive and make a difference to consumers, farmers and to our planet,” said OTA’s Executive Director Christine Bushway.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

GREENFIELD, Mass. (July 9, 2010)—A July 8 article in Time published under the headline “Organic Eggs: More Expensive, but No Healthier” misleads the consumer. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture research cited, as published in Poultry Science, includes no reference to certified organic eggs and says nothing about nutritional value, according to the Organic Trade Association, which reviewed the findings before writing a letter to Time to protest.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2010) --The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today called on the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health & Human Services (HHS) to encourage those seeking to minimize their exposure to toxic chemicals to look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop by revising the draft Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

GREENFIELD, Mass. (July 1, 2010): In response to a call from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to ban synthetic dyes to color foods, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) today reminded consumers that they can already avoid such dyes in the marketplace by choosing to purchase organic foods.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2010)—Julia Sabin of Smucker Natural Foods, Inc., has been re-elected by the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Board of Directors to continue as its president for the coming year. It will be her third year as president.

Other officers for 2010 are Sarah Bird of Annie’s, Inc., Vice President – U.S.A.; Gunta Vitins of SunOpta, Inc., Vice President—Canada; Matt McLean of Uncle Matt’s Organics, Inc., Secretary; Chuck Marcy, Healthy Food Holdings, LLC, Treasurer; and Kristen Holt of Quality Assurance International, Treasurer-Elect.

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Defies recession, grows faster than conventional coffee sector

Contact: Sandra Marquard
Tel: 301-592-0077, cell: 301-512-4781
E-mail: smarquardt@onthemarkpr.com

NEW YORK CITY (June 15, 2010) – The North American organic coffee market topped 1.4 billion dollars in 2009, according to new data released today by leading market analyst Daniele Giovannucci at the fifth annual tasting event hosted by the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), at New York City’s famous Union Square Cafe. The event featured outstanding organic coffees from foremost American roasters and retailers. Even in a recession, Giovannucci found, organic coffee continued its reign as the single most valuable organic product imported into North America.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 8, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2010 Annual Fund campaign surpassed its $600,000 goal by raising $624,220 to help fund OTA’s government relations, consumer education, and media outreach work in the United States and Canada.

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Fifth annual organic coffee sampling highlights supply chain

What: Reporters may sample organic coffees from around the world, learn about the 2009 organic coffee market and 2010 trends, and meet representatives of the organic coffee supply chain, from certifier to roaster and retailer, at the fifth annual organic coffee sampling event hosted by the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association, at New York City’s Union Square Cafe Tuesday, June 15.

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News release
For immediate release
Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220

Organic Trade Association (OTA) encourages consumers to choose organic fruits and vegetables

GREENFIELD, Mass. (May 17, 2010)—Following closely on the heels of the President’s Cancer Panel Report exhorting consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers , antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer, a study published in today’s issue of the journal Pediatrics concludes that exposure to organophosphate pesticides at levels common among U.S. children may contribute to the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children.

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Media Contact:

Renee Kelly
651-334-3183
renee@habermaninc.com

More than 1,100 Schools Nominated in Organic Trade Association’s “Organic. It’s Worth it in Schools.” Contest

Greenfield, Mass. (May 13, 2010) – Organic lovers nationwide nominated more than 1,100 schools to win an organic vending machine or garden in the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) first-ever “Organic. Its Worth it in Schools.” contest. www.OrganicItsWorthIt.org

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Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220

Organic Trade Association (OTA) hails panel for empowering consumers with ways to reduce their cancer risk

GREENFIELD, Mass. (May 6, 2010)—. The President’s Cancer Panel Report released today exhorts consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers , antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer. Organic products avoid the use of these chemicals.

“Exposure to pesticides can be decreased by choosing, to the extent possible, food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers…Similarly, exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic run-off from livestock feed lots can be minimized by eating free-range meat raised without these medications,” according to the landmark report, “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now,” submitted to President Obama by Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr., an oncologist and professor of surgery at Howard University, and Dr. Margaret L. Kripke, an immunologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

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For immediate release

Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com

OTA welcomes NOP assurance that products remain in good standing during clarification period

GREENFIELD, Massachusetts (April 29)— In a regulatory process clarification, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has asked the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to reevaluate its recommendation for nutrient vitamins and minerals currently used in organic products. This request calls for formal review of the 1995 NOSB recommendation and the allowance of accessory nutrients such as Omega-3 DHA for specific inclusion on the National List of permitted substances in organic and is based on NOP’s reinterpretation of past procedural actions. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) commends NOP for recognizing that the affected products were offered by manufacturers in good faith.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2010)—U.S. sales of organic products continued to grow during 2009 despite the distressed state of the economy, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) revealed today in releasing findings from its 2010 Organic Industry Survey. In fact, organic product sales in 2009 grew by 5.3 percent overall, to reach $26.6 billion. Of that figure, $24.8 billion represented organic food. The remaining $1.8 billion were sales of organic non-foods.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Renee Kelly
651-334-3183
renee@habermaninc.com

Organic Trade Association’s “Organic. It’s Worth it in Schools.” raising awareness of healthy, organic food in schools across America

Greenfield, Mass. (April 19, 2010) – Through May 1, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is helping schools access and offer students more organic food with a national contest to award a winning school with an organically grown garden or an organic vending machine. More than 900 schools across America are currently competing for the prize.

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Contact: Sandra Marquardt, 301-592-0077

Leaders in the 1.3 billion dollar organic coffee North American industry—participants in the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA)—will be attending, hosting booths, and speaking at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCAA) Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, April 16-18.

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U.S. organic industry to discuss policy, celebrate milestones during April conference and Hill visits

For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann, 413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2010)—Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan will be the opening speaker at the Organic Trade Association (OTA)’s 2010 Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days April 14 and 15 here in Washington that are set to draw a record number of industry representatives.

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Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 includes language for organic in school feeding programs

For immediate release
Contact: Sue McGovern (781-648-7157; sue@mcgov.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 24, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today thanked Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), chair for the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms, and Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) for gaining inclusion of an amendment for a pilot project to offer healthy organic food in school feeding programs in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee today.

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Nearly 2,800 facilities gain GOTS certification in 2009, a 40% increase over 2008

For Immediate Release

Sandra Marquardt, 301-592-0077, smarquardt@onthemarkpr.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (March 17, 2010) – According to the online database of companies certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) on its web site which was re-launched today, approximately 1,500 companies with a total of 2,811 facilities in 55 countries around the world were certified to the organic apparel and textile standard in 2009. That is almost a 40 percent increase over the 1,977 facilities certified to the standard in 2008. The GOTS standard was approved in 2006.

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www.ota-canada.ca
613-482-1717

(Charlottetown, March 6, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) in Canada is pleased to announce a partnership with the Government of Canada to develop a long-term international marketing strategy to expand Canada’s organic sector. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing over $118,000 in OTA in Canada’s international market development strategy for the organic sector.

“We are excited about what this means in terms of building new international markets for Canadian organic products,” said Matthew Holmes, managing director of the Organic Trade Association in Canada. “The global organic market is expanding rapidly and this support will allow Canada to establish itself as a supplier of quality organic products. When you know more about supply and demand in foreign markets, you are in a better position to make sales.”

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Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220, bhaumann@ota.com

House Ag chairman to be recognized for his service to organic agriculture

Washington, D.C., (March 8, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today announced it will honor Congressman Collin Peterson (MN-7) with its 2010 Public Servant Award.

Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-7), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will receive OTA’s highest award for a public servant in an evening reception April 14 as part of OTA’s 2010 Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days in Washington. The reception hosted by OTA will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the House Agriculture Committee Hearing Room.

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Contact: Sue McGovern
sue@mcgov.com
781-648-7157

Expo East to Serve as Business & Education Hub of Organic Community

GREENFIELD, Mass. (March 4, 2010) – Natural Products Expo East has been selected as the new home for All Things Organic™, the organic community’s leading business and educational gathering place in North America. In making the announcement, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) stated that the conference will co-locate with Expo East, a partnership that will extend for at least seven years.

“This exciting new partnership unites the business and educational strengths of All Things Organic™ and Natural Products Expo East,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director. “It will better serve the organic business community by increasing traffic, buyers and attendance at the trade event. Expo East will become the organic hub of the nation.”

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Contact: Barbara Haumann
bhaumann@ota.com
(413) 376-1220

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today welcomed the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) final access to pasture rule for organic agriculture.

“It clearly defines access to pasture for organic ruminant livestock and sets a mechanism into place for strict regulation and enforcement. This will help enable producers and certifying agents to consistently implement National Organic Program regulations. As a result, consumers can be assured that the U.S. organic program for organic livestock remains the most stringent in the world,” according to OTA’s Executive Director Christine Bushway.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann at bhaumann@ota.com, 413-376-1220

WASHINGTON – Feb. 10 - The Organic Trade Association (OTA) www.ota.com has hired Will Telligman to fill the new position of Legislative and Advocacy Manager in the organization’s new Washington, D.C. office.

Telligman most recently served as Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in D.C. after a year stint as Legislative Affairs Assistant with IDFA. Previously, he served as a congressional intern in D.C. for Representative John Spratt.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 10, 2010)—Choosing foods bearing the organic label is the only way consumers can be sure meats and dairy products they buy have been produced without the use of antibiotics, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in response to a CBS Evening News with Katie Couric segment on livestock production airing Feb. 9 and 10.

“Organic practices recognize and respect the powerful nature of antibiotics. As a result, organic practices prohibit the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones or other animal drugs in animal feed for the purpose of stimulating the growth or production of livestock,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s executive director.
Respected organizations such as the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization have recommended against the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture in order to protect public health. Those organizations point out that such uses of antibiotics in agriculture contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

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Media Contact:
Renee Kelly
612-372-6450
renee@habermaninc.com

Organic Trade Association Launches Contest for Students, Teachers to Win Organic Garden or Fully Stocked Organic Vending Machine

Greenfield, Mass. (Jan. 13, 2010) – Reading, writing, arithmetic, and now, the fourth R: real food. This spring, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is helping schools access and offer students more organic food with a national contest to award a winning school with an organically grown garden or an organic vending machine.

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Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 5, 2010) ─ The Organic Trade Association (OTA), headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts, has opened its first Washington, D.C., office in the Hall of the States at 444 North Capitol Street, NW.

Christine Bushway OTA’s Executive Director and CEO, made the announcement, saying, “OTA is very excited about achieving this milestone at the beginning of its 25th anniversary year. This office, located three blocks from Capitol Hill, will help the trade association increase its visibility and effectiveness in D.C. with Congress, the Executive Branch and all regulatory agencies including the National Organic Program housed at USDA.”

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