Costco’s Padilla, Lutz of Category Partners headline organic produce virtual event

The Organic Produce Network (OPN) has announced a virtual online event featuring Frank Padilla, Costco’s vice president and general merchandising manager of produce and meat, and Steve Lutz, Category Partners’ senior vice president of insights & innovation, discussing sales and consumer purchasing behavior of organic fresh produce through the first seven months of the year.

The event, entitled, “What a Year It’s Been, So Far…,” will be a provocative and engaging virtual conversation about sales of organic fresh produce, how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumer buying habits, and the future of retail grocery as part of the exclusive OPN event on 10 a.m. PDT Wednesday, August 19.

Moderated by OPN co-founder Tonya Antle, the event complimentary on-line session available for all members of the produce industry. Lutz will provide an overview of organic fresh produce sales data across retail for the first half of the year, with Padilla discussing how consumer buying practices have changed during the pandemic and what may lie ahead in the future. Registration is available at https://www.organicproducenetwork.com/virtual-event.

“The past seven months have been filled with a variety of challenges, uncertainty and resolve by retailers across the country. With double-digit growth in organic sales during this time, we are excited to have Frank and Steve talk about what has transpired in terms of organic sales and consumer purchasing behavior during this time, and provide a look into what the remainder of the year may look like,” said Antle.

The OPN event is sponsored by Homegrown Organic Farms and Starr Ranch Organics. For more information please visit https://www.organicproducenetwork.com/.

Above, from the right, are Frank Padilla, Costco’s vice president and general merchandising; Steve Lutz, Category Partners’ senior vice president of insights & innovation and OPN co-founder Tonya Antle.