As the organic market mainstreams, it is expected that we will offer less expensive products, yet we already witness a failing conventional food system and we know that the organic model cannot be carried out for similar costs. Very few first-generation organic processors, retailers, and wholesalers have escaped the American food system's "law of the jungle." Rather, we must create new ways of operating, based upon the values of health, regeneration, ecological harmony and community stewardship. This pre-conference will feature leading social entrepreneurs who will highlight their journeys and what they’ve learned from evaluating and shifting what they are producing, to how they are operating their businesses differently. We will explore specific strategies from sourcing, to product line development, to connecting with shoppers, to ownership and finance.
Wednesday, January 22
9:00am - 5:00pm
Asilomar Conference Grounds
$25 (includes an organic lunch)
Sponsored By:
Organically Grown Company
Track and Session Info
Track:
Marketing, Retail, & Wholesale
Date and Location
Day:
Wednesday
Date:
08/14/19
Presenter(s):
Brenna Davis
Title:
Brenna Davis
Presenter Affiliation:
PCC Community Markets
Bio:
Brenna Davis is an accomplished sustainability innovator and strategist. As VP of Social and Environmental Responsibility at PCC Community Markets, the largest community-owned food market in the nation, she leads one of the most cutting-edge sustainability efforts in grocery. Her accomplishments at PCC to date include developing the organizations first social and environmental responsibility strategy, which has resulted in achievement of 100% renewable energy and carbon neutral store operations; and developing the organization’s first set of sustainability goals, which includes eliminating petroleum-based plastic from PCC’s deli. Davis started her career in the energy sector, working with major fortune 500 companies to identify and reduce their environmental impact. Prior to PCC, she was the sustainability director at Virginia Mason Health System and also held roles in sustainability at Puget Sound Energy and AT&T. Davis is dedicated to mobilizing business to urgently address the climate crisis while building the local economy.
Elizabeth Nardi
Title:
Elizabeth Nardi
Presenter Affiliation:
Organically Grown Company
Bio:
Elizabeth Nardi is the CEO of Organically Grown Company, the largest distributor of organic produce in the Pacific Northwest. For the past 40+years, the company’s progressive and entrepreneurial spirit has fueled its mission and growth, meeting the demand for organics in the marketplace while supporting its community of farmers, and most recently becoming owned by the Sustainable Food & Agriculture Perpetual Purpose Trust. Prior to OGC, Elizabeth held retail leadership positions at Guido's Fresh Marketplace and New Seasons Market. In her early career Elizabeth worked with the Northeast Organic Farming Association and the Pure Food Campaign, and at Center for Food Safety where she lobbied as a grassroots organizer on issues ranging from labeling milk from cows treated with growth hormone (rBGH) to the regulation of genetically engineered foods. She also worked for Senator Patrick Leahy, cosponsor of the historic National Organic Foods Production Act.
Bob Quinn
Title:
Bob Quinn
Bio:
Bob Quinn is passionate about organic farming and the need to provide a sustainable, nutritional food source for the United States. A deep-rooted belief that rural communities should be valued and nurtured has always been a driving force of this passion. Bob has been farming organic Kamut ancient grain since 1983. He is the founder of Kamut International which allows him to promote organic agriculture and the KAMUT® brand ancient wheat. He is the author of "Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food."
Website:
Albert Straus
Title:
Albert Straus
Presenter Affiliation:
Straus Family Creamery
Bio:
Albert Straus has been a leader in sustainable organic farming practices for many decades. As founder/CEO of Straus Family Creamery & Organic Dairy Farmer he has aimed at creating a replicative, viable model which reflects the true costs of production and promotes responsible land stewardship and practices. The Straus Dairy Farm became the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River in 1994, and, in the same year, he founded the creamery – the first 100% certified organic creamery in the United States. Albert has been recognized internationally for his substantial environmental accomplishments. Under his leadership, Straus Family Creamery was honored with Ecovia Intelligence’s 2018 international Sustainable Food Award in the Sustainability Pioneer category. In April 2019, The GrassFed Exchange honored him with the Innovative Producer award for his forward-thinking practices on his dairy farm.
