OPS session to focus on opportunities and obstacles for retailers

An examination and discussion of the opportunities and obstacles, as well as the advantages and disadvantages in attracting consumers for independent and natural food retailers will be the topic of the second of three educational sessions at Organic Produce Summit 2020.“Opportunities and Obstacles for Independent and Natural Food Retailers” will feature an overview of the natural and organic retailer landscape and include two independent retailers discussing the challenges of competing against larger and national retail channels. 

The Organic Produce Summit is a two-day event specifically designed to bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors with retailer and buying organizations from across North America. Over 1,600 attendees will meet July 8-9 in Monterey, CA to exchange ideas, information and insight of the organic fresh produce industry.

Moderated by Matt Olson, vice president and general manager for the Independent and Natural Food Retailers Association, the educational session will include panelists Sean Decker, buyer, for Hawthorne Valley Farm Store; Mark Squire, President of Good Earth Natural Foods; and Jonathan Steffy, vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Produce.

“As conventional grocers and other retail channels continue to grow and provide consumers with greater availability of organic products, the organic shopper is no longer dependent upon traditional independent and natural food grocers. At the same time, smaller and independent natural food retailers have been a vital and integral part of the growth and education of organics with consumers,” said Susan Canales, President of Organic Produce Summit. “This session is a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the role of the independent and natural food grocer, and the opportunities available to differentiate themselves from other retail channels.”

The session is the second of three informative educational sessions at OPS 2020. In addition, two of four keynote presentations featuring the co-founders of nationally acclaimed restaurant chain sweetgreen, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman; and Real Talk with Jim Donald, co-chairman of Albertsons Companies, Inc., have been announced as highlights of the fifth annual OPS.

Other educational sessions at OPS 2020 will include:

• Organic Sales Analysis and the Organic Consumer
• Is Regenerative the New Organic?

OPS 2020 also includes a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers; a gala opening night reception and a trade show featuring 152 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from across North America and the globe.

Register to attend OPS 2020 by visiting www.organicproducesummit.com.