Chad Hagen, vice president of the Consumer Products Group for SunOpta, has been announced as a keynote presenter at the inaugural Organic Produce Summit, to be held July 13-14 in Monterey, CA.

Hagen will join Greg Holzman, founder of Purity Organic Produce and Purity Organics brand juices, and noted former New York Times columnist and co-founder of Purple Carrot Mark Bittman, as featured presenters at the first-ever event focused exclusively on organic fresh produce.Chad Hagen

SunOpta Inc. is the largest global organic ingredients company, spanning 60 countries and 5,000 organic growers. The company specializes in the sourcing, processing and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products, integrated from seed through packaged products.  

The addition of Hagen creates a line-up of innovative, diverse and inspiring speakers for OPS attendees.

“Organic produce has enjoyed more growth and sales velocity than ever before,” Lara Grossman, sales and marketing manager for Robinson Fresh, said in a press release. “Its effects are increasingly impactful to all areas of the produce supply chain. This inaugural Organic Produce Summit’s education session promises highly relevant, of-the-moment topics with organic experts who are leading the category as it continues to shift the tectonic plates of our industry.”

To date, the Organic Produce Summit has received confirmation from over 40 different retail and buying organizations that will be attending the event. These retail organizations total over 20,000 stores across the United States and Canada. Additionally, nearly 70 organic producers have signed up as exhibitors for the event, with the event expected to sell out. A list of those attending the inaugural event can be found at www.organicproducesummit.com.

Additional educational seminars hosted by the Organic Trade Association are being finalized with an array of established industry educators and leaders serving as panelists in three different educational sessions. A fourth educational session on the growing e-grocery sector and organic produce is also being finalized with panelists Tony Stallone, vice president of merchandising for Peapod, and Mike Buffington of IdeoClick. Kevin Coupe, founder of The Morning News Beat, will serve as moderator.

The OPS is co-sponsored by Taylor Farms and Braga Fresh, with support from other major sponsors including Tomorrow’s Organics, Homegrown Organic Farms, Earthbound Farms and Driscolls.

For further information about the inaugural Organic Produce Summit, visit www.organicproducesummit.com.