NOP Report: Bigger Budget, Added Jobs and More

By Jennifer Rose

At the most recent National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting this spring, Barbara Robinson, acting director of the National Organic Program (NOP), announced that the budget for the NOP increased by $630,000 for FY ’09, and that she expects NOP to double in size by 2010. This year’s increase raises the budget to over $6 million.

She also announced that in light of budgetary increases, NOP is working to expand the size of its staff. “We will hire as many people as we can afford,” she added.

Additionally, Robinson said she has sent a memo to USDA, requesting that NOP be managed as its own division within AMS. From her perspective, NOP has evolved to the point where it can “stand on its own,” and should therefore have its own office within USDA where it can receive “more recognition and be given more clout.” She also noted that USDA has been receptive to these ideas and is “giving serious consideration” to her request for the development of a division dedicated to organic. In fact, the new Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan, is championing this effort (see Dialogue).

Additionally, Robinson provided an update on several regulatory issues on which NOP has been working. She indicated that NOP has received over 19,000 comments on the pasture rule from the organic industry, and that NOP expects to publish a rule later this year. She also noted that NOP is working on the origin of livestock rule.

Robinson also acknowledged the frustration that the NOSB experiences around NOP’s slow response to its recommendations. She noted that since 2002, NOSB has made 65 non-material recommendations, and that NOP has not, to date, worked on them.

She thus proposed that NOSB “call a time out” and consider organizing a meeting between NOP and NOSB to identify the NOSB’s top priorities. Such a meeting could take the form of a symposium, or it could be included as part of the NOSB’s regular meetings, she added.

In concluding her remarks, she offered the following updates:

• NOP is leaning toward accepting OTA’s Liquid Fertilizer Task Force recommendation if certifiers can verify an auditable traceback plan.

• NOP is working with the Office of Science and Technology to develop a database of petitioned substances.

• NOP is looking for more nominations to the NOSB; there are two producer slots, one retailer slot, and one handler slot available.

• NOP is working on clarifying guidance on flavors, looking to affidavits with strong punitive action for violations.

• NOP is also working on a protocol for renewal dates on certificates.

For more on the NOSB spring meeting, check out the Managing column.
Adapted from the Organic Trade Association’s “NOSB Report,” May 2009


New Study: Families Purchasing More Organics Despite Challenging Economic Times
Findings from the “2009 U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study” released at the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show in June show that U.S. families are not giving up their purchases of organic products despite uncertainty over the economy.

In the study jointly sponsored by OTA and KIWI Magazine, three in 10 U.S. families (31 percent) indicated they are actually purchasing more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

OTA collaborated with KIWI Magazine on the national research study to gauge attitudes and behavior of families concerning organic product purchases. Managed by RMI Research and Consulting, LLC, the study was fielded among U.S. households during April.

Compiling results gathered from 1,200 families across the United States, this research identifies and profiles those who promote buying organic among family, friends and co-workers, specifically exploring the role parents play as potential influencers. Data reveal the typical path of organic purchases, beginning with the most common points of entry and tracing this through succeeding product category purchases. The study also explores families’ organic grocery shopping experiences and their preferences for the way organic products are organized and displayed at the retail level. In addition, it examines consumers’ understanding of organic product labels.

The final written report and an accompanying CD providing a PowerPoint presentation of study highlights can be purchased from OTA. Orders can be placed via the bookstore on OTA’s web site.


Organic Summit Brings Together Thought-Leaders
This June at the Organic Summit in Stevenson, Washington, 139 thought-leaders from the organic industry, along with representatives from NGOs, academia and governmental groups, had the opportunity to sit down at the table together to discuss important topics ranging from nanotechnology and GMOs to the liquid fertilizer issue and opportunities in social networking.

“At most trade shows and expos there are too many people and too many things going on to have an real conversation about the issues,” said Jylle Lardaro, director of the Summit. “This is like an organic boot camp, an intense think-tank that cuts to the heart of the issues and raises awareness, getting people to take action.”

While the sessions provided information on variety issues, the real breakthroughs happened in the peer-led round table discussions. One of these discussions on the organic fertilizer issue included representatives from CCOF, True Organic Products (a liquid fertilizer company), the Washington Department of Agriculture and Earthbound Farms, one of the organic companies affected by the scandal, and several others. After sitting down together, the group walked away with several action points. One of these was to develop support for research being down at UC Davis on a standardized testing protocol to ensure the integrity of liquid fertilizer.

Another major topic of discussion was GMOs and nanotechnology—and keeping both of these out of organic. Nanotechnolgy was a big topic at the recent NOSB meeting as well and one of the board members, Tracey Miedema, who was present at the Summit, was able to connect with other leaders on this issue, including John Stone from the nonprofit, Institute for Food and Agricultural Standards, to develop a task force on the issue. One of the most concerning facts that was raised on Nanotechnology is that if the USDA agrees to make nanotechnology GRAS then there will be no way to really keep it out of organic.

This, and other issues are will continue to be discussed address via the Organic Summit’s LinkedIn.com page, a private forum. To join, search for “Organic Summit” on the LinkedIn website. You can also follow many of the issues discussed via the
Summit’s postings on Twitter. To join this discussion go to www.twitter.com/OrganicSummit.


OTA Releases 2009 Organic Industry Survey
U.S. sales of organic products, including food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing an impressive 17.1 percent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which recently made available its 2009 Organic Industry Survey.

This rate, which would be considered healthy growth in normal times, is all the more impressive with the current state of the global economy.

While other sectors are seeing de-clines, organic agriculture and products provide a bright spot in the U.S. economy.

The survey, conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA, measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008.
The final report includes the following:

• Organic food and beverage dollar sales and growth

• Distribution of organic food and beverage sales by channel

• Organic food forecast

• Organic non-food items

• Organic labeling certification and materials supply

• Methodology and acknowledgements

The report provides sales, growth and channel shares for the following organic food sub-categories: beverages, breads and grains, condiments and sauces, dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat, packaged goods and snack foods.

It also provides sales, growth and channel shares for the following non-food sub-categories: supplements, personal care, products and cleaners, pet food, flowers, organic fiber linens and clothing.

The final report can be purchased online at www.ota.com/bookstore/2.html.


Organic Movie Trailer Competition
Film is one of the most effective ways to get out the message about organic and the challenges and triumphs of the food industry. To support these efforts, the Organic Summit hosted a film trailer competition including 13 new films on organic agriculture and products, and the past and future of the organic movement. The winner was a film entitled, “Priceless” by Habitat Media. View this trailer and the others at: http://views.newhope.com/Default.aspx?alias= views.newhope.com/organicfilm


OTA Announces 2009-2010 Board and Officers
Julia Sabin of Smucker Natural Foods, Inc., has been re-elected by the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Board of Directors to continue as its president for the coming year. Other officers for 2009-2010 are Matt McLean of Uncle Matt’s Organics, Inc., vice president, U.S.A.; Hélène Bouvier of Organic Ranchers, Inc., vice president, Canada; Todd Linsky, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, secretary; and Chuck Marcy, Healthy Food Holdings, LLC, treasurer.

In the recent OTA Board of Directors election, OTA trade member companies elected the following: Nicole Dawes of Late July Organic Snacks, Kelly Shea of WhiteWave Foods, Craig Weakley of Small Planet Foods, Inc., and Tom Cowell of Growers International Organic Sales, Inc. Cowell fills a Canadian seat on the board.

Other members on the board include Tony Bedard of Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Sarah Bird of Annie’s, Inc., Jack Erisman of Goldmine Farms, Theresa Marquez of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Marty Mesh of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc./Quality Certification Services, and Melody Meyer of Albert’s Organics.

Going off the board with the completion of their terms are Lynn Clarkson of Clarkson Grain Company, Dag Falck of Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., and Phil Margolis of Neshaminy Valley Natural Foods Distributor, Ltd.

The results of the election were shared with members at OTA’s Annual Meeting held at the All Things Organic Conference and Trade Show and OTA Member Days, Lakeside Center, McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL.


Organic Report from the ERS
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has released a new report entitled “Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry.” The report notes that the fast-paced growth of the sector has led to input and product shortages. In addition, new issues, such as premium-priced product sales in a tight economy and competition from new environmental labels, are emerging. Notably, in the report, ERS highlights how organic agriculture provides ecosystem services and cites studies showing various ecosystem benefits, including reduced pesticide residues in water and food, reduced nutrient pollution, improved soil organic matter, lower energy use, carbon sequestration, and enhanced biodiversity. The report is available for download from the internet at: www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib55/#2009-6-3.