Professional training to educate food safety, operations and certification professionals
about HACCP principles and how they apply to organic operations

(ANN ARBOR, Mich. and BRATTLEBORO, Vt.) – January 30, 2012 – The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and NSF International’s Training and Education Division have announced their offering of a two-day intensive program entitled, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for the Organic Professional. The workshop is an essential resource for companies committed to maintaining both certified organic and food safety standards.

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

BRATTLEBORO, VT (Jan. 26, 2012)— The U.S. organic cotton market continues to grow, encouraged by consumer demand, price premiums, and regulatory shifts that will ease marketing restrictions for organic cotton products, according to the 2010 and Preliminary 2011 U.S. Organic Cotton Production & Marketing Trends report conducted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA).

Boston, MA (Jan. 18, 2012)—With more than a half-million consumers already on board, a campaign petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to label genetically engineered (GE) food today launched the video “Labels Matter” to garner even more consumer awareness and participation. Encouraging consumers to fight to know what is in their food, the video is the result of collaboration between the Just Label It campaign and filmmaker Robert Kenner.

BERKELEY, CA (Jan. 12, 2012)—Julia Sabin of Smucker Natural Foods, who served as President of the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Board of Directors for the past three years, was honored by her colleagues at the Board’s quarterly meeting and annual retreat held this week here in Berkeley, CA.

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

Brattleboro, VT (Dec. 19, 2011)—Many will remember 2011 for the continued economic troubles, the lead-up to the 2012 presidential election, and unprecedented political demonstrations around the world and in our own backyards. As the year draws to a close, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) examines several myths about organic agriculture that were “busted” this year by researchers, the media and shoppers.

December 8, 2011, OTTAWA—Consumers wishing to avoid chemical pesticide residues in food, water and on farms have a simple choice: organic products, the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) said today. Repeated government samplings in North America and Europe have shown organic produce has much lower pesticides residues when compared to non-organic.

Contact: Barbara Haumann (802-275-3820; bhaumann@ota.com)

Brattleboro, VT (Nov. 2, 2011)—Seventy eight percent – more U.S. families than ever before – say they are choosing organic foods, according to a study published today by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). “In a time when the severity of the economy means making tough choices, it is extremely encouraging to see consumers vote with their values by including quality organic products in their shopping carts,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director and CEO. The finding is one of many contained in OTA’s newly released 2011 U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study. “It’s clear that with more than three-quarters of U.S. families choosing organic, this has moved way beyond a niche market,” Bushway added.

Contact: Barbara Haumann (802-275-3820; bhaumann@ota.com)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 31, 2011— The State of Ohio today agreed that it will no longer pursue regulations limiting labeling on organic dairy products. Ohio had attempted to prohibit statements on labels which informed consumers that organic dairy products are produced without antibiotics, pesticides or synthetic hormones. After the Organic Trade Association (OTA) sued the State of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with consumers’ right to know and gutted the Ohio rule, finding that it was unconstitutional. Ohio has now agreed to abandon the rule rather than trying to revive it, recognizing that the First Amendment allows organic dairy products to proudly state that they are produced in accordance with the organic standards, without the use of synthetic growth hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics.

OTTAWA, Canada and BRATTLEBORO, VT (Oct. 6, 2011)—Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), has been elected to the World Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). He is the first Canadian to be elected to the World Board. COTA is the exclusive affiliate of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), representing the organic sector in North America.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct 5, 2011)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has unveiled a new Organic Trade Resource Guide website to help facilitate international trade in organic agricultural products. OTA made the announcement in Seoul, South Korea, during the recent International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) World Congress.

NEW YORK and DENVER, Oct. 4, 2011 -- A coalition of nearly 400 businesses and organizations dedicated to food safety and consumer rights today called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods, to give consumers the right to know what is in our food.

Board officials announced at OTA’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore Sept. 23

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 26)—Matt McLean, president of Uncle Matt’s Organic Inc., has been named the new Board President of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), succeeding Julia Sabin of Smucker Natural Foods Inc. who served as president for the past three years.

BALTIMORE, MD. (Sept. 14, 2011)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) will provide conference sessions, other educational events, and members-only activities including its Annual Meeting at the upcoming All Things Organic- BioFach America at Natural Products Expo East at the Baltimore Convention Center Sept. 21-24.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 6, 2011) – U.S. companies eager to promote their organic products in international markets have the opportunity to do so this September without traveling overseas. This is due to a Reverse Trade and Foreign Buyers’ Mission organized by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) to be held in conjunction with All Things Organic-BioFach America at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, MD.