GREENFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 13, 2008) -In an historic meeting arranged by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), representatives of the organic community met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill Implementation Team Monday to discuss the implementation of organic provisions within the 2008 Farm Bill.

"This was an historic opportunity to present key information on the significance of these organic provisions to the team charged with developing the rules implementing the Farm Bill," said David Gagnon, OTA's Interim Executive Director.

The OTA-led group included representatives of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), National Organic Coalition, Center for Food Safety, Rodale Institute, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), Food and Water Watch, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Florida Organic Growers.

OTA made arrangements for the meeting co-hosted by USDA Deputy Under Secretary Floyd Gaibler of the Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services and Lowell Randel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional Relations. Also attending were agency representatives from the Agricultural Marketing Service, National Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Risk Management Agency, Agriculture Research Service, and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

"This is an exciting time to be involved in the organic and ethnic and specialty product sectors, particularly as organic and specialty/ethnic foods are the two fastest-growing segments of retail food sales," said David Gagnon, OTA's Interim Executive Director. He added, "These co-located events will offer national and regional forward-thinking retailers, foodservice professionals and manufacturers access to valuable educational opportunities and sourcing options that will help them stay competitive in the changing landscape of food consumption in North America."

Organic Trade Association Files a Motion for a Summary Judgment in its Suit Challenging Ohio’s New Dairy Labeling Rule
OTA seeks dairy labeling rule that represents consumers rights to know how their food is grown

COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 28, 2008) – The Organic Trade Association (OTA), which represents the organic industry in North America, has filed a motion for a summary judgment in its case challenging Ohio’s “emergency” dairy labeling rule.

“Ohio’s rule puts the organic standards at risk and denies consumers their rights to know how their food is grown,” said David Gagnon, OTA’s Interim Executive Director. OTA’s summary judgment motion, which was filed Friday, July 25, argues that consumers have a right to know, and want to know, about the products they purchase, and organic farmers and processors have a right to communicate with their consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices. The suit seeks to protect consumers’ rights to receive truthful information about how organic milk and dairy products are produced, and the rights of organic dairy farmers and processors to communicate truthfully with consumers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 30, 2008) -The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today filed a legal complaint against Ohio's Department of Agriculture, challenging as unconstitutional an "emergency" rule seeking to prevent labeling that tells a consumer whether the cows were treated with rBST, the synthetic growth hormone manufactured and sold by Monsanto under the brand Posilac(r). The lawsuit represents a determined effort not only to protect the consumer's rights to receive truthful information about how organic milk and dairy products are produced, but also to protect the rights of organic dairy farmers and processors to communicate truthfully with consumers,

"The Organic Trade Association firmly believes that consumers have a right to know, and want to know, about the products they purchase, and organic farmers and processors have a right to communicate with their consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices," stated Caren Wilcox, executive director for the OTA. Attorney Randall J. Sunshine, a partner at Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif LLP, is representing the OTA in this matter.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 24, 2008) -Katherine DiMatteo, who served as executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) from 1990 to 2006, today was named President of the World Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) at IFOAM's General Assembly held in Vignola, Italy.

"OTA congratulates IFOAM for choosing Katherine DiMatteo, who during her tenure at OTA became the principal spokesperson for the organic business community in the United States and a respected global leader, particularly in helping build consensus on organic standards and practices. I believe her leadership as President of IFOAM's World Board will be a great boon for organic agriculture around the world," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's current Executive Director, who took part in IFOAM's General Assembly in Italy. OTA is a member of IFOAM.

DiMatteo is a Senior Associate at Wolf, DiMatteo + Associates.

Greenfield, Mass. (May 15, 2008) -The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased that the Farm Bill has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate by majorities far beyond the two thirds vote necessary to override any Presidential veto. While OTA hopes that the President will not veto the bill, it will work to see that a final bill is passed if there is a veto.

The bill as just passed would increase mandatory spending on organic agriculture and programs to over $100 million over the life of the bill, roughly four times what the last Farm Bill provided. The bill also cites organic agriculture as eligible for many programs within the bill which have been difficult for organic farmers to access in the past. Some other programs such as support for the National Organic Program are "authorized" and OTA will support them in the future in the Appropriations Committees in order to have them fully implemented.

May 13, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sandra Marquardt, 301-592-0077
smarquardt@onthemarkpr.com

NEW YORK CITY (May 13, 2008) - The North American organic coffee market reached one billion dollars in 2007, according to new data released today during a sampling event featuring new organic coffees. The event was hosted by the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), at New York City's popular Union Square Cafe.

Participants in the Collaboration are: Dallis Coffee (New York City, NY), Elan Organic Coffees (San Diego, CA), Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA), Fresh Harvest Products (New York City, NY), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT), and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, Canada).

Julia Sabin named as President

CHICAGO, Illinois (May 6, 2008)- Julia Sabin of Smucker Quality Beverages, who most recently served as the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) Vice President representing the United States, has been selected to serve as President of the trade association for the coming year. She succeeds Jesse Singerman of Prairie Ventures, who has completed a two-year term. Sabin's new role was announced Saturday, April 26, at OTA's Annual Meeting held in Chicago in conjunction with the 2008 All Things OrganicTM Conference and Trade Show at McCormick Place.

Other officers for 2008-2009 are Matt McLean of Uncle Matt's Organics, Inc., Vice President - U.S.A.; Dag Falck of Nature's Path, Vice President - Canada; Todd Linsky of Cal/Organic-Grimmway Farms, Secretary; and Chuck Marcy of Healthy Food Holdings, LLC, Treasurer.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

Drew and Myra Goodman and Ray Fuller to be recognized for outstanding contributions to the organic community

"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.