In three weeks, the annual mid-July Organic Produce Summit (OPS) will take place in Monterey, California. Hopefully, by then the sun will be out in full force. So far, it has been relatively cold in Monterey with just one day in June registering a temperature above 70°F. However, things are expected to change as the sun is supposed to come out this week and excitement for the event is building up.
“It will be the largest OPS to date,” says Matt Seeley with the Organic Produce Network. With 170 growers and shippers showing their organic produce items, the trade show floor is sold out. In fact, there is an extensive waitlist. In addition, well over 300 brick and mortar retailers will be in attendance as well as many other buyers. Altogether, more than 1,600 attendees are expected at the Monterey Conference Center.
How has the event been able to grow year after year? “I believe one of the reasons is the quality of the event,” commented Seeley. “We’ve been able to get leadership and key decision makers together in one room in the cradle of organic production. We are in the backyard of several major organic producers.” This offers members of the produce industry an opportunity to see what’s going on from a production standpoint. “It’s an intimate and energetic gathering of those actively involved in organic fresh produce.” Seeley feels success is also driven by the support of the community. “Exhibitors and attendees have been incredibly supportive,” he commented.
Schedule
The program will kick off with Retailer and Buyer Field Tours on Wednesday, July 12. Just like the trade show, the tours to Earthbound Farm, Driscoll’s, and Braga Fresh are sold out. That same night, an opening reception will be held. Thursday, July 13 will start with the educational sessions. One of them will be a special two-hour long session featuring world class athletes who switched from a meat-based diet to a plant-based diet. The Powered by Plants session will be held in the adjacent Monterey Marriott hotel as the Monterey Conference Center can’t keep up with the growth of OPS. “As OPS has grown, we need to expand use of the facilities,” said Seeley. The trade show will be the final part of the event and will be held on Thursday afternoon.
Educational session at OPS 2022.
Retailers visiting the booth of Nature Fresh Farms.
If you would like to be part of a jam-packed 48-hour program that will be filled with information, education, and networking opportunities, it’s not too late to register. Simply click here.
More information:
Matt Seeley
Organic Produce Network
Tel: 831-884-5092
Matt@organicproducenetwork.com
www.organicproducesummit.com