Organics company puts focus on land conservation efforts

While many companies see continual growth in organic produce offerings, some are going the extra step. So rather than simply expanding its line of commodities to introduce more organics, they’re making key investments to support that growth.

This is the case with Ocean Mist Organics, a Castroville, Ca.-based company that started out offering organic artichokes but has since expanded to a line of 16 organic commodities. “Since 2015, our percentage increase in production is 600 percent and sales have increased by 300 percent,” says Joe Angelo with Ocean Mist. Angelo adds that the items leading its growth include asparagus, celery, broccoli, spinach and leaf lettuces.

Romaine lettuce is one of Ocean Mist's 16 organic commodities.

Strategic partnership

But to also put its organic money where its mouth is, Ocean Mist has invested in partnering with the Central Coast Wetlands Group in the Cojo Slough Watershed in California.

“When Ocean Mist was seeking out this relationship, the brand was aiming to have a greater vision to enhance the environment along with creating a sustainable farming operation in its natural setting,” says Ocean Mist’s Joe Pezzini. “The investment was a partnership between the conservation groups with the know how to restore the land, and our ownership with the vision to make the land available for restoration.”

Spinach is another one of Ocean Mist's organic products.

Benefits of restoration

The relationship involves eight different projects in the Moro Cojo watershed. “Through development and population growth, the wetlands dried up. Therefore Ocean Mist began working with the Central Coast Wetland group and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to restore the original wetlands to provide wildlife habitat, natural water treatment and land conservation,” says Pezzini. “It turns out the wetlands also provide fresh water percolation which helps combat sea water intrusion into the upper ground water aquifers.”

While the partnership is strategic, it gives depth to the company’s commitment to organics. “Our thoughtful leadership will continue to respond to market demand in this category by ensuring that we have the land base and production team expertise,” says Pezzini.

For more information:

Sarah Bockholt

Ocean Mist Organics

Tel: +1 (214) 206-3047
www.oceanmist.com