Produce distributor Organically Grown Co. receives award

The organic community recently gathered at the Natural Products Expo West trade show to honor the best of organic, naming produce distributor Organically Grown Company as the Company of the Year.

More than 600 attendees joined the first-ever and sold-out “Organic Oscars,” on March 13 to celebrate the successes of individuals and businesses in communicating the benefits of organic, along with the work of groundbreaking organic researchers.

Hosted by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, “An Organic Night Out” showcased honorees in eight categories — all nominated and chosen by their peers. Actress, philanthropist and co-founder of the organic children’s nutrition company Once Upon a Farm, Jennifer Garner, and co-founder of the world’s largest organic dairy company Stonyfield Farm, Gary Hirshberg, emceed the awards ceremony.

Company of the Year: Organically Grown Co.

This award recognizes the company which has done the most to advance interest, awareness, sales and support of certified organic products. The award went to Organically Grown Company, which has put organic front and center and has championed organic agriculture for almost 50 years.

Organically Grown Company (OGC) is the largest fresh produce wholesaler and distributor in the nation dedicated to organic. Founded in 1978 in Oregon, the mission of OGC from its start has been to grow the organic agriculture movement. The company today works with more than 350 vendors, representing 1,000 organic farms. In 2018, it switched its ownership model to a purpose trust, which allows the company to reach beyond being just a produce company, and to be even greater advocates and stewards of the movement. In 2023, the company launched its “Organic is the Answer” campaign which provides science-supported facts and resources to help educate shoppers and retailers about organic.

“We’re thrilled and humbled to win this award. At Organically Grown Company, we’re not just playing by the rules; we’re rewriting them,” said Brenna Davis, CEO of OCG. “From shaking up the status quo with our advocacy to spreading the organic message through our ‘Organic is the Answer’ campaign, we’re rebels with a cause.”

Other winners during the event were:

• Most Impactful Research Finding — University of Wisconsin-Madison and CROPP/Organic Valley (dairy research)
• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year — Painterland Sisters (yogurt)
• Best New Food or Beverage — Patagonia Provisions Kernza Beer
• Best New Non-food product — Naturepedic Concerto Organic Pillow Top Mattress
• Best Organic Messaging — Organic Valley
• Best Retailer Activation — Good Earth Natural Foods
• Best PR or Social Media Campaign — Lundberg Family Farm (rice)

“All of these organic leaders are so inspiring, and I’m honored to be part of this incredible celebration that recognizes the people and brands who are making the health of our families and planet their top priority,” Garner said, according to a news release.

“These honorees are truly organic game changers who are making a real difference in helping consumers understand the importance of choosing organic,” Hirshberg said in the release.

The occasion is the single biggest fundraising event for The Organic Center and Organic Voices, nonprofit organizations that work on research, education and communication with the organic industry and consumers.

“The growth of organic doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it takes the commitment and hard work of organic farmers, businesses and researchers to advance organic.” Amber Sciligo, director of science programs for The Organic Center. “We are thrilled to celebrate these organic champions who are doing so much to improve the health of our food and of our planet, and we are grateful and thankful for the incredible support for organic that this evening has shown.”