Dag Falck’s Post

The Organic Trade Association is pleased to be hosting #OrganicWeekDC, its annual flagship event, on May 14-16 in Washington, D.C., featuring two days of critical discussions on the issues and opportunities facing the organic sector and a day of advocating for organic on Capitol Hill. The event offers the organic community a once-a-year chance to come together, brainstorm, and help chart the way forward for organic. The gathering of the organic industry comes at a pivotal time for the organic sector. Organic is now a $67 billion industry, a high-level mark. But with this growth comes new questions about how to effectively accelerate and sustain the momentum of the movement.  In keynote speeches, panel discussions and special break-out sessions, dozens of organic industry leaders and policy makers will take a close look at organic’s most pressing issues and priorities. Experts will explore current trends in the organic marketplace, the impact of competing labels and claims, federal and private actions to boost organic production, steps to ensure continuing improvement in organic standards, strategies to navigate the political environment of a Farm Bill and national election year, and much more. Conference highlights and press release here: https://lnkd.in/ehPHQtYn

How to best market the attributes of organic has been difficult for many years and has led to consumer confusion. Research shows consumers have higher levels of trust for the certifications they are most familiar with, further underlining the need for a strong, unified approach to messaging the benefits of Organic products. Three organic industry trade groups—the Organic Trade Association, the USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service), and Organically Grown Company—have created toolkits aimed at increasing consumer awareness of and trust in the USDA Organic label and products. See how these resources could help your business thrive. READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/ebqd_2Qu

Introducing Aryaa Organic: A Journey of Immersion, Partnership, and Transformation I’ve always believed that transformation happens when you step into the deep end—when you immerse yourself fully in spirit, purpose, and the unknown, guided by a vision to create something extraordinary. Aryaa Organic is the result of that immersion. It’s the culmination of a lifetime spent exploring consciousness, food, cultural experiences, and transformative partnerships. At its heart, Aryaa Organic is a shared creation built alongside my partner and co-founder, Annie (Annmarie) Ziegler Branco, whose brilliance, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping our foundation. Over 3.5 years, we’ve traveled across the globe—Turkey, Bhutan, Egypt, Iceland, India, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Spain, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, and more—collaborating with wisdom leaders from ancient cultures, scientists, and innovators. Together, we’ve only just begun releasing the fruits of this incredible journey to the market! Together, we’ve combined a heritage rooted in one of the oldest Indian import and distribution houses in the United States, cutting-edge strategic consulting expertise, and a deep passion for redefining the relationship between food, culture, and spirit. This foundation has been intentionally designed to scale to unprecedented heights—delivering nourishment, coherence, and connection in ways the world has never experienced before. Now, with the infusion of powerful and skilled visionaries, Aryaa Organic is poised to deliver on the next level of this mission. We are stepping into a new era, guided by a team of innovators and thought leaders who share our commitment to creating transformative, intentional products. Through the integration of neuro-acoustic sound technology, sacred geometry, and biogeometry, we are creating experiences that not only nourish the body but also elevate the mind and align the soul. These aren’t just products—they are tools for coherence and connection, designed to meet the needs of a world searching for meaning, balance, and harmony. The journey so far—shaped by spirit, love, culture, and collaboration—has prepared us for this moment. Over the coming weeks, I’ll share how these experiences, along with the brilliance of our partners and co-creators, are driving Aryaa Organic forward as a delivery mechanism for change, ready to scale and impact lives globally. This is more than a company. It’s a movement—a call to live, love, and create with intention, to elevate humanity through products that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Welcome to Aryaa Organic. The next level begins now. Kamal Hans Co-Founder, Aryaa Organic #IAmAryaa #Immersion #Partnership #Visionaries #SacredGeometry #Biogeometry #NeuroAcousticTechnology #ConsciousInnovation # @annie-ziegler-bb141b52 https://lnkd.in/gWKjuUvY

Get ready for Organic Week! Join us at the Organic Trade Association (OTA) Policy Week (next week May 14 to 16) at Hyatt Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. where OGC’s VP of Marketing & Communications, Krista Kinder will join industry leaders on a panel exploring the topic, "Unlocking the Organic Promise: Strategies for Organic Amidst the Proliferation of Eco-Labels," alongside Derric N. Pennington and Carolyn Gahn, moderated by Paul Schiefer. Hope to see you there! UPDATE: This session will now be held on TUESDAY, MAY 14 – Day 1 at 10:25am – 11:10 am. About the panel from OTA: “Organic” is a term that has been used for over thirty years to demonstrate the prioritization of sustainable business practices, accountability, trust, and transparency to consumers. But diverse label claims that are stacking up on the front panel of many products are catching shoppers’ attention. The proliferation of eco labels and other claims in B2B discussions and on consumer-facing labels, promotes a wholistic change to agricultural systems but many of these claims have no universal or regulatory definition and they have varying degrees of verification. What do these trends in impact reporting mean for the organic sector, and what are the best methods for protecting the value and integrity of the organic label and promoting the benefits of organic practices in this competitive environment? Find out more and register for Organic Week here: https://lnkd.in/e36jG6br #OrganicWeekDC

File under DON'T SAY YOU DO ORGANIC BUT AREN'T CERTIFIED ORGANIC: I don't think I'm cool with non-certified farms marketing, and even flat out saying, that their products like just they are certified organic. It's a disservice to their peers who actually are certified organic. It's not cool. I see this with a lot of "regenerative brands" who are not certified organic or offer certified and non certified products. STOP, please. Why aren't you certified organic? Because you represent the "real organic?" You can be organic plus-the-real but just be certified organic first. Then work on getting the "real" into the existing organic legal regulations. I understand the annual cost of the organic certificate is significant but it' also validation to your customers - esp those who have never visited your farm. Also, the cost of the certificate is much less than the cost of compliance with organic standards. So what's up? Is your product marketed at organic prices already? Or below organic prices? Are you just in a transition period? I could have called out others too like Tree-range Farms and many others big and small. It's fine to sell organic and non organic but don't tell customers these two chickens are basically the same. Because they are not in terms of the market price paid to the farmer of the chicken or the profit made by the parent company. They are different in that one has third-party verification. If you are on the road to certification then tell us. I do believe the USDA needs a "in transition" certificate so that folks who want to support the journey can knowingly do so.

It's almost Organic Week! I couldn’t be more excited and humbled to join this incredibly smart group of leaders on a panel exploring the topic, "Unlocking the Organic Promise: Strategies for Organic Amidst the Proliferation of Eco-Labels," alongside Derric N. Pennington and Carolyn Gahn, moderated by Paul Schiefer. Hope to see you at the Organic Trade Association (OTA) Policy Week (next week May 14 to 16) at Hyatt Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Going to D.C. too? Reach out if you’d like to meet or catch up! Panel blurb from OTA: “Organic” is a term that has been used for over thirty years to demonstrate the prioritization of sustainable business practices, accountability, trust, and transparency to consumers. But diverse label claims that are stacking up on the front panel of many products are catching shoppers’ attention. The proliferation of eco labels and other claims in B2B discussions and on consumer-facing labels, promotes a wholistic change to agricultural systems but many of these claims have no universal or regulatory definition and they have varying degrees of verification. What do these trends in impact reporting mean for the organic sector, and what are the best methods for protecting the value and integrity of the organic label and promoting the benefits of organic practices in this competitive environment?

Organic eggs - Yes please 🥚 From 2022 to 2023 we saw a 34% increase in searches for organic products. But one product stands out - organic eggs. Almost every 10th search for eggs is for the organic alternative 🥚 This trend does not seem to be slowing down in 2024, and it is still holding the same level of interest  📈 https://lnkd.in/eKptC6Gc

Congrats to Brenna Davis and the entire team at Organically Grown Company on being named Organic Company of the Year! One of the largest distributors of organic produce in the US, in 2018 the company transferred a majority of ownership to a purpose trust to protect its quadruple bottom line approach (people, planet, purpose, profits). Their unique approach is designed to align incentives and benefit their growers, customers, workers, community and investors, and since then their results continue to speak for themselves. What most people seem to be focused on when it comes to employee ownership and steward ownership models like this one is the opportunity (3 in 5 small businesses will sell over the next decade!), or the momentum (adoption is accelerating!), but what I'm most excited about is what comes after a transition. We think this is simply a better way of doing business, and results like what Organically Grown Company and so many other businesses we've worked with at Common Trust are achieving is the real story: great businesses, built for the long term, and benefitting their community, planet and people.

Organic September, the UK’s largest month-long organic campaign, is coming up fast. It’s a moment in the year to put your organic credentials as an independent retailer in the spotlight, and show the additional care, focus and attention you pay to offering exceptional products that are better for people, as well as planet. For independent natural products retailers, Organic September offers a welcome opportunity of an autumn sales uplift. Last year, independent retailers saw some of the biggest growth in organic sales across all channels. “With their depth of knowledge and extensive organic ranges, indies have been especially well placed to grow their organic sales across food, beauty and health categories”, comments Soil Association commercial manager, Alison Muirhead. This year’s Organic September will focus on four key themes: Collaboration, Innovation, Community and Celebration – themes that should resonate well for indie retailers and their customers. The Soil Association says it wants this year’s Organic September to “celebrate how great things happen when we get together”. For retailers, this could be about collaborating with the organic brands you work with, or staging an event with a local chef, grower or influencer. One of the key fixtures for retailers is Organic Saturday, which creates an anchor event and an opportunity to stage in-store tastings and educational events. To help independent retailers to maximise Organic September opportunity, the Soil Association is making available a free point of sale pack – which incudes posters, staff pick cards and post cards. Order yours here (by 14 August latest) - https://lnkd.in/eBMyGfWn   Participating retailers will also be included in an online Organic September store finder map, and may be included in official social media coverage. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on buying organic on a budget. Here is my first point: organic products are not always more expensive! A few months ago we had a trainee - Fieke - who did some great research for us. She looked at the prices of the most common products in the major Dutch supermarkets. The goal was to identify the cheapest ways to buy more organic products. And there were some interesting surprises… Buying the same NON-ORGANIC product was sometimes more expensive at Albert Heijn than it was to buy the ORGANIC version at Lidl Nederland! Another finding was that many organic products from the supermarkets’ own brand are cheaper than the same product from a premium brand (e.g. organic peanut butter vs Calvé peanut butter). The most important conclusion for me was that I don’t have to approach it with an all-or-nothing mindset. You don’t have to choose between always buying organically or not. But it does help to think of a system for yourself so you don’t have to make the decision every time you’re at the supermarket. Since Fieke did her research I go to Lidl and always buy the organic version if they have it. Another idea could be to choose 3 products to always buy organically. My suggestion would be to include bananas, they’re usually available and not much more expensive. How do you buy organic products? Do you have a system for yourself? Read Fieke’s blog post [link in the comments] to learn more about buying organic products on a budget. ----- 🙋♂️ I share facts about climate change and food. Follow me and join my exploration for a sustainable version of 'The Good Life‘. 📱 If you want to get more facts about the impact of our food (and recipes), download the Fork Ranger app in the Google Play or App Store. #organicfarming #organic #supermarkets