Weekly Top 5: Organic News You Need to Know #46

Organic Produce Summit Attendee Registration Now Open

General attendee registration for the third annual Organic Produce Summit is now open. Special “Early Bird” pricing is available during the month of January for the only event dedicated exclusively to bringing together organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors with retailers and buying organizations across North America.OPS 2018 is slated for July 11-12 at the newly renovated Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA. 

Read more here. 

New Aldi Format Offers Fresh In-Store Bakery and Produce First in the Door

The battle for fresh just been taken up a notch by Aldi. The recently relocated Aldi store at 451 N. Randall Rd, Batavia, IL takes fresh to “the next level." In this newest layout, produce is placed “first in the door,” and the addition of an in-store bakery proved to be a popular destination when we visited at 1 pm on Saturday, December 30. With this new bakery, Aldi can continue to make its grab for greater share of wallet. The expansion of this format should be carefully watched.

Read more here.  

Comment Deadline is January 17 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule

There are only a few days left until the deadline for submitting comments to the Federal Register on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule. There are currently around 10,000 comments submitted, while this is a good start, it is most important that organic producers and businesses submit unique comments.

Even if your business isn’t directly involved in the organic livestock sector, it’s critical that you also comment.  Please use the talking points, and adapt to your businesses’ particular perspective.

Here are updated talking points that can help you write your comment. 

Leave your comments here. 

7-Eleven Debuts Organic, Cold-Pressed Juices

 7-Eleven, Inc. is launching a new line of organic, cold-pressed juices as part of its 7-Select Go!Smart private brand of better-for-you snacks and beverages. The new shelf-stable juices are U.S.D.A. certified organic, Non-GMO Project verified, certified fair trade, gluten-free, vegan and free of additives and added sugars. The 7-Select GO!Smart juices come in four varieties. 

Read more here. 

Registration Open: 2018 Organic Farming Research Conference

OFRF, in partnership with Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and Rutgers University, will be presenting the 2018 Organic Farming Research Conference on Friday, January 26th at Rutgers University, immediately preceding the NOFA-NJ Annual Winter Conference. 

Read more here. 

"Once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer."

Brenda Schoepp