MONTEREY, CA - This year’s Organic Produce Summit is already one for the books, with Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger making an appearance and sharing insights on the grocery biz. Confirmed as panelists for one of the most anticipated events at the third annual summit, Meijer’s Director of Produce Roger Harkrider; Walmart’s Senior Director of Global Produce Sourcing Ron McCormick; and Kroger’s Director of Produce Merchandising Randy Riley will be featured in this year’s Retailer Roundtable.
“While the grocery industry continues to evolve to meet the growing needs of consumers, the produce department remains one of the key differentiators in growing consumer sales. And driving all fresh produce is the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce category,” said Tonya Antle, Co-Founder of the Organic Produce Network and moderator of this year’s Retailer Roundtable. “With three of the most forward-thinking retailers in the world, the Retailer Roundtable will dive into organic produce category strategies, product mix, and how technology is changing the game. This promises to be an insightful and informative panel discussion with these produce industry leaders.”
Featuring candid commentary and thought-provoking discussion, the Retailer Roundtable will highlight how each retailer incorporates organic fresh produce in their operations, as well as their analysis on the challenges, opportunities, and future of the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce industry.
In addition, three keynote presentations await OPS attendees, including Ed Carolan, President of Campbell Fresh; Dan Buettner, noted journalist and discoverer of Blue Zones; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands.
According to a press release, OPS 2018 will also present the following educational sessions:
- Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy
- Organics and the Media – New Landscape of Information
- The Organic Supply Chain I & II – Opportunities and Challenges
- E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail
- Organic Ingredients – Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department
The educational sessions, keynote presentations, and the Retailer Roundtable are just some of the fun events at OPS 2018 that bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors as well as retailer and buying organizations from across North America. OPS 2018 also includes a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers, a gala opening night reception, and a trade show featuring 130 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from around the globe.
OPS will take place on July 11-12, in Monterey, California, at the Monterey Conference Center. For more information about OPS 2018, visit www.organicproducesummit.com.
