Organic Processing Vo1.6 #4 - July/August 2009

OTAAnnounces2009-2010
Boardand Officers

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. Other officers for 2009-2010 are Matt McLean of Uncle Matt’s Organics, Inc., vice president, U.S.A.;

Julia Sabin

Hélène Bou-vier of Organic Ranchers, Inc., vice president, Canada; Todd Linsky, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, secretary; and Chuck Marcy, Healthy Food Holdings, LLC, treasurer.

In the recent OTA Board of Direc-ors election, OTA trade member companies elected the following: Nicole Dawes of Late July Organic Snacks, Kelly Shea of White Wave Foods, Craig Weakley of Small Planet Foods, Inc., and Tom Cowell of Growers International Organic Sales, Inc. Cowell fills a Canadian seat on the board.

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Other members on the board include Tony Bedard of Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Sarah Bird of Annie’s, Inc., Jack Erisman of Goldmine Farms, Theresa Marquez of Organic Val-ley/CROPP Cooperative, Marty Mesh of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc./Quality Certification Services, and Melody Meyer of Albert’s Organics.

Going off the board with the completion of their terms are Lynn Clarkson of Clarkson Grain Company, Dag Falck of Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., and Phil Margolis of Neshaminy Valley Natural Foods Distributor, Ltd.

The results of the election were shared with members at OTA’s Annual Meeting held at the All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show and OTA Member Days, Lakeside Center, McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL.

Organic Report from the ERS

USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has released a new report entitled “Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry.” The report notes that the fast-paced growth of the sector has led to input and product shortages. In addition, new issues, such as premium-priced product sales in a tight economy and competition from new environmental labels, are emerging. Notably, in the report, ERS highlights how organic agriculture provides ecosystem services and cites studies showing various ecosystem benefits, including reduced pesticide residues in water and food, reduced nutrient pollution, improved soil organic matter, lower energy use, carbon sequestration, and enhanced biodiversity. The report is available for download from the internet at: www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib55/#2009-6-3.