September 2019 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Organics make a mark
Any vegetable grower who has attempted
to incorporate organic crop production as
part of their product selection knows it's not a
simple endeavor.
Note the comments of Charles Obern of
C&B Farms in central Florida. In VGN Associate
Editor Stephen Kloosterman's story on Page
1, readers get a synopsis of the allure - and
challenges - of organics.
In 2006, Obern initiated custom organic
growing, and today close to one-third of his
operation is farmed organically. He indicated it
has been an uphill battle.
" Organics is not what the media likes to
Gary Pullano
Managing Editor
portray, " Obern said. " The risk of growing in organics is high because you
don't have the tools like you have in conventional production to combat
weeds and pests. "
While organics are expensive to grow, risky and for the time being a limited
niche of the market, Obern said there are benefits.
" It makes you be a better farmer, because you have to be much more
attentive to what you're doing and try to predict things that are going to
happen and then also try to figure out solutions - if it's possible - with the
tools that you have, " he said.
That upbeat approach to the world of organics was a theme that
dominated the fourth annual Organic Produce Summit (OPS) held in
Monterey, California, July 10 -11. Over 1,600 were in attendance, including
nearly 300 retailers and 148 exhibitors.
We heard organizers say the summit itself continues to enjoy growth,
with the exhibition sold out. The two-day program included field tours,
educational seminars, a pair of keynote presentations and a retail roundtable.
" We've literally doubled the size of the event in four short years, " said
Susan Canales, OPS president. Canales credits the summit's success to bringing
major players together and looking at trends from all sides.
Laura Batcha, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said their
research shows there is great opportunity for growth by moving so called
" light " consumers who buy organic products some of the time into " heavy "
users who buy organic most of the time. " Consumers understand it is not easy
to be organic and growers and retailers need to reinforce that message. "
The keynote speakers echoed that sentiment from different perspectives.
Chef and author Dan Barber said he appreciates organic because it tastes
good and it's healthy.
Vic Savanello, vice president of produce for The Fresh Market, said,
" Everything is an organic section in my store. It's fully integrated. I carry
organic over conventional whenever it is an option and lately it's been an
option in almost every commodity. "
Savanello was joined by Don Barnett, chief operating officer for Sun Basket
and Greg Corrigan, senior director of produce and floral for Raley's, for a
Retailer Roundtable moderated by Tonya Antle, co-founder of the Organic
Produce Network. All three predicted continued growth in the organic sector,
and described how consumers buy will continue to evolve, from organic
meals at retails to online sales.
" Maybe 4-5% today is bought online. That's going to continue to grow
and probably 15 to 20 years from now we'll see 20-30% bought online, "
Barnett said.
Barber called organic " the original disrupter. As it becomes more
mainstream, we ought not to lose that energy and enthusiasm. We should
dig deeper into the themes and ideas that will change the world, one seed at
a time. "
More specialty crop growers are entering the organics game. It's with a
recognition that the challenges are extensive, but the payoff in an expanding
market could be more than worth the effort.
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THEY SAID IT
It helps to have a deeper understanding of what chefs
are looking for and ultimately what they are going to
do with each type of produce. "
- TUCKER TAYLOR, KENDALL-JACKSON WINE ESTATE & GARDENS
P. 14
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Award goes to Fetzer for ag safety
achievements
Linda Fetzer, Extension associate
in Penn State's College of Agricultural
Sciences, has been named the 2019
recipient of the International Society
for Agricultural Safety and Health's
Practitioner Achievement Award.
Michigan plans $12M in produceprocessing
projects
A score of food-processing projects in
Michigan will be awarded funds under
a competitive grant program.
VGN, FGN announce Fruit + Vegetable 40
Under 40 Class
Fruit Growers News and Vegetable
Growers News magazines have announced
the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of
2019 - a group of exemplary agriculture
professionals nominated by their peers for
the impressive accomplishments of their
young careers.
Report outlines growers' decision-making
on food safety
The USDA Economic Research Service
(ERS) released a report in June
titled " U.S. Produce Growers' DecisionMaking
Under Evolving Food Safety
Standards. "
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September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2019
