What People Are Saying About the Organic Produce Summit #73

The Organic Produce Summit was a raving success this year. Over 300 buyers visited the sold-out exhibition hall featuring over 130 organic growers, shippers and processors from across the globe. They came to do business and to learn from each other in the educational sessions and keynotes. The testament to the unbridled success of OPS 2018 can be heard in the words of the attendees.

Jeff Huckabee, CEO, Grimmway Farms: “I’m impressed with the quality of the people who are at OPS, all the major retailers are here.  In a matter of a day and a half I’ve been able to reach out to all the retailers we do business with in one location. It’s been very efficient and effective for us to be here.”

Jeff Huckabee, CEO, Grimmway Farms

Levon Ganajian with Trinity Fruit sales: “This is best show of all the shows I go to year-round. It’s an intimate atmosphere where everyone has the same interests and you get to speak with everyone. The educational sessions and speakers are first class. It’s a wonderful experience and it’s getting better every year.”

Rodney Braga, CEO of Braga Fresh: “This show is by far my favorite. You can hear the crowd in the background. We love the fact that its one day and our closest ranch is minutes away, so we can bring everyone to the show. We just think it’s wonderful! We were proud sponsors of the first OPS and plan to continue in the future!” 

Rodney Braga, CEO of Braga Fresh

Patrick Mills, produce director, Lucky Stores: “I love this show - it’s my third year. I enjoy seeing the innovations what’s new and what’s coming up!  I went to all the educational sessions this morning and the supply chain one was really valuable.  It’s was nice to see the panels give their ideas on some of the challenges we are all facing.” 

Chance Kirk, salesman at VBZ: “We are here to promote our organic category which each year has double digit growth. We’re tickled pink about how this show has turned out with great retail support. We really enjoy being here!”

Chance Kirk, salesman at VBZ

Jesse Gunn, vice president marketing, Wholesum: “We love the fact that OPS stepped in as the first ever strictly organic show that was really competitive in the retail vendor space. We needed a more traditional and professional retail-facing show, and this is it for us!

David Posner, President, Awesum Organics: “When I first started selling organics so many people gave me a hard time and said it couldn’t be done. Look at where we are now! This whole trade show is devoted to one thing- Organic Produce - it’s not diluted.  It’s a powerful thing, we have hit our moment! 

David Posner, President, Awesum Organics

Dick Peixoto, founder Lakeside Organic Gardens: “Very interesting keynote and I was really impressed by the Blue Zone speaker.”

Jesse Parr, assistant director, CCOF Foundation: “Dan Buettner, who did the Blue Zone keynote on longevity made an amazing case of how organic fits into a healthy lifestyle. If we can merge lifestyle with eating organic fresh fruits and vegetables we can live longer and be happier. It was an amazing interweaving of stories across the globe to make that case.”

Jesse Parr, assistant director, CCOF Foundation

Diane Dempster, Charlies Produce: “I manage the Farmers Own Brand at Charlies and I have seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years. It’s wonderful to see the impact organic has made to our growers and to the world. This is a very good show!

John McKeon from Tanimura and Antle: “I went to both the supply chain sessions and found all the topics that were addressed like water, labor and transportation are critically important to the industry. It’s important for us to understand the layers underneath those topics as we promote the organic industry. The speakers demonstrated a deep knowledge of their business and their position in the industry, while showing how global our organic industry really is!”

John McKeon, Tanimura & Antle

Brian Porter, sales manager at Safeway: “I like this show because we see can see all the new options and growth in organics for our division. It’s a big initiative for us and we continue to build new relationships here to grow the category. I went to the Keynote and thought it was excellent.” 

Eric Schwartz, CEO, United Vegetable Grower Coop: “Both sessions on Opportunities and Challenges in the organic supply chain brought a lot of perspective on things at the 50,000-foot level. The message that came out is that as an industry we need to do a better job at educating our consumers because the next generation is asking questions and we aren’t doing a good enough job getting our message out.”

Eric Schwartz, CEO, United Vegetable Grower Coop

John Holder, regional buyer for Grocery Outlet: “Organic is very important to us. It’s a huge part of our growth initiative and so it’s very valuable for us to be here. I’m impressed with the enthusiasm I see at this show.” 

Lindsey Roberts, marketing manager at Monterey Mushroom: “We love this show and have enjoyed seeing its evolution over the years. It’s multiplied greatly and is awesome for us. I loved the gentlemen who spoke about the Blue Zones, it was great information!”

Lindsey Roberts, Marketing Manager, Monterey Mushroom

Chris Martin, CEO, Wilson Produce: “OPS is a great organic sales show.  This event is a good way to meet the buyers and get to know them. We like that it’s small and intimate and also in a great location!”