"Meet the Grower" at Organic Grower Summit 2018 Sponsored by Costco

MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the largest retailers of organic food sales in the United States, Costco announced their commitment to participating in the second annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS) this coming December 12-13, in Monterey, CA. Costco, with annual fresh produce sales of $4 billion, will sponsor two half-day events providing certified organic farmers and growers the opportunity to meet with Costco buyers.

The Organic Grower Summit, a joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.

The confirmation of Costco's recommitment to meet with organic growers showcases the success of the Meet the Grower event in 2017, which allowed for over 60 growers to meet with Costco buyers. The "Meet the Grower" session provides certified organic farmers and grower representatives the opportunity to meet face to face with Costco organic produce, wine, beer, dairy, meat and grain buyers to discuss their operations and products.

"Costco is excited to be back at the Organic Grower Summit this year. We are committed to meeting directly with organic farmers, who are truly on the front lines of bringing top quality organic products to market. We appreciate the work OPN has done in putting together this unique opportunity to meet face to face with those responsible for actually growing organic products," said Heather Shavey, assistant vice president - general merchandise manager for Costco. "Our buying team is looking forward to learning more about organic production, hearing about new product innovations and building new supplier opportunities to meet the growing demand for organics for our shoppers."

Tonya Antle, cofounder of the Organic Produce Network, said "OGS is delighted Costco is coming back to show their support of the certified organic farming community. This is a great opportunity to have organic farmers get in front of Costco to tell their story as part of the second annual OGS."

Certified organic growers, producers and processors interested in making an appointment to meet with Costco, can register as an attendee at www.organicgrowersummit.com/registration - select the category of Grower/Producer/Processor and click on the "Meet with Costco" button for further information.

OGS will be held December 12-13, at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California. Attendee registration is $499, with discounts available for CCOF members and government and educational members.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to the 2018 CannaBus Tour from 8 am – 12 pm on Wednesday, December 12th and the CCOF Foundation Dinner on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm. Registration to OGS includes admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, lunch and trade show floor.

Over 50 sponsors have confirmed their support of OGS. The tradeshow floor is nearly sold-out, with only a few exhibitor spaces remaining.  Exhibitors include soil amendment, bio-pesticide, seed, packaging, food safety, ag technology, and equipment manufacturers who will be connecting with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts. 

For more information on the Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com.

About OPN
OPN is a marketing organization serving as the go-to resource for the organic fresh produce industry.  The company's mission is to inform and educate through a strong digital presence with an emphasis on original content and complimented by engaging live events which bring together various components of the organic food community. The OPN audience includes organic producers, handlers, distributors, processors, wholesalers, foodservice operators and retailers.  www.organicproducenetwork.com

About CCOF
CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California more than 40 years ago, today our roots span the breadth of North America and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm. For more information about CCOF, visit www.ccof.org.

SOURCE Organic Produce Network

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