On September 17 to 18, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), a membership-based organization of organic food companies, held their All Things Organic Conference in Baltimore. This event provided industry members with critical information on the future of organic goods with a focus on consumer education.
“Despite organic sales and accessibility at all-time highs, consumer confusion about organic benefits remains significant,” says Laura Batcha, CEO of OTA. “Consumers need to know the facts about organic so they can make the smartest choices for themselves and their families.”
Worldwide, organic food sales grew 170 per cent to US$63 billion from 2002 to 2011. Moreover, the OTA notes that in the United States alone, eaters purchased US$35.9 billion of organic food in 2014, representing 4 percent of total food sales in the U.S.
However, much of the consumer base still doesn’t know what the organic label really means. According to a 2014 study published in the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 17 percent of American and Canadian consumers think organic food is also locally grown, while another 23 percent believe locally grown food is automatically organic.
This year’s discussions included topics like “Understanding Organic Supply Constraints,” “State of the Organic Industry” and “Organic Market and Consumer Trends.”
For more information about the organic industry, the OTA and other events that are organized or attended by the group, visit www.OTA.com.
