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PRIVATE 2018 www.gourmetnews.com n NOVEMBER 2018 n GOURMET NEWS P 1 0 Organic Trade Association Presses Forward on Voluntary Organic Check-off The Organic Trade Association is moving forward with a voluntary industry-invested organic research, promotion and education check-off program that will be collabora- tively designed and implemented by organic stakeholders across the diverse organic sup- ply chain. "The Organic Trade Association recog- nizes great demand for coordinated organic research and promotion, and the organic sec- tor is ready to work together on innovative solutions that will have key benefits for or- ganic," said Laura Batcha, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director for the Or- ganic Trade Association. "In today's political environment, organic companies and stakeholders are increasingly seeking private sector solutions, and the trade association is taking the lead in sup- porting these efforts," said Batcha. "There is a critical need to educate consumers about organic, for more technical assistance to help more farmers transition to organic, and to loudly promote the organic brand. Respond- ing to that need, we are launching a two- track effort to develop a voluntary governance approach and to also advance initiatives that will deliver immediate big wins for the organic sector." The trade association has formed a steer- ing committee to coordinate and lead the ef- forts. The committee is charged with addressing the governance questions around a voluntary program to maximize good par- ticipation and decision making, and also to bring together right now multi-pronged pri- vate efforts to foster coordinated organic re- search and promotion. Helping Organic GRO "These big ideas all live under the banner of GRO – shorthand for Generate Results and Opportunity for Organic," said Batcha. "Everyone in our organic industry has a stake in eliminating consumer confusion, growing the market, and building the organic brand, so we'll work collectively to ensure the future of organic." Already collaborative programs are being developed and funded. The Organic Trade Association is joining forces with Organic Voices and the group's "It's Not Compli- cated" campaign to fund a nationwide mes- sage drive to reduce the confusion about organic. The goal for the campaign is to raise a minimum of $1 million for each of the next two years. In addition, the organization will conduct in-depth consumer research on the most ef- fective ways to reinforce the organic brand, advance a portfolio of research to fill in gaps for organic farmers and show the beneficial impacts of organic on environmental and human health and work to provide the nec- essary funding for more organic extension agents across the country. The Organic Trade Association submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in May 2015 to con- sider implementing an organic check-off program. USDA in January 2017 officially proposed a nationwide organic check-off program, opening the process for public comments. Last May, USDA abruptly termi- nated the rulemaking process – despite com- ments in support of the program from more than 12,000 individuals and businesses, in- cluding thousands of organic farmers, ranch- ers and business stakeholders, according to the OTA. "The organic community is committed to enabling a sound, resilient and sustainable future, and we look forward to everyone's participation and influence," said Batcha. "We want to make sure – through our collec- tive efforts – that organic flourishes and grows for many years to come." New $1 Million Investment Supports Community Wellness Center When the Paul Robeson Community Well- ness Center opened on August 18, it launched a hub for fresh, local food in south-central Los Angeles, California. But it also showcased a new kind of equitable community development spurred by a $1 million program-related investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and support from civic and business organizations. Named to honor the legendary actor, ath- lete, singer and activist, this dynamic, com- munity-driven social enterprise will create new jobs and offer services to meet the daily needs of residents, including access to high quality, culturally appropriate, afford- able food. Community Services Unlimited, Inc. (CSU), a nonprofit serving south Los Ange- les for more than 40 years, purchased the Robeson Center in 2015, and embarked on an ambitious plan to transform the 10,000 square foot lot and building into a hub for health and wellness initiatives, a convening place for residents, and a model for equitable community development. On the first floor is south Los Angeles' first "Beyond Organic" produce market, a café serving healthy foods, a market distri- bution center and a commercial kitchen. The second-floor features a community meeting space, CSU's headquarters, and rental space available for community organizations. An urban farm, serving the market with fresh produce and other products, will surround the building and be on the rooftop. There will also be outdoor classrooms. The market's direct relationship with farmers and connection to CSU's urban mini-farms will keep produce costs low, al- lowing the market to sell food prepared with seasonal, local, and beyond organic produce at prices competitive with restaurants using lower quality ingredients. The cost of pro- duce from CSU's urban mini-farms is subsi- dized by donated land, water and volunteer labor, making the cost of production far below that of competing organic producers. Additional produce is purchased from small farmers who come into Los Angeles to sell at area farmer's markets. Meijer Rebrands Simply Give Program to Increase Awareness of Hunger Meijer's fall Simply Give campaign featured a new look this year that incorporates indi- viduals involved with its food pantry part- ners. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer rebranded its signature hunger relief program to align more closely with individ- uals impacted by Simply Give, including volunteers, community members and food pantry clients. "Thanks to the continued support and generosity of our customers, team members and food pantry partners, we've been feed- ing our hungry neighbors for nearly 10 years," said Cathy Cooper, Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Giving for Meijer. "We believe that making these changes and featuring people in the com- munity who are making a difference through Simply Give, will bring more awareness to the program and our food pantry partners." For example, Krystal Stuart is a Commu- nity Police Officer with the Kent County Sheriff's Department. She volunteers regu- larly at Streams of Hope Food Pantry where she helps individuals find the food they need to feed their families. "It's not complicated," she said. "Neigh- bors always help neighbors." As part of the campaign, Stuart's photo, and those of the other featured individuals, were displayed on Simply Give donation cards and signage in Meijer stores in the drive that ran through September 15. Meijer began its Simply Give program in November 2008 to help stock the shelves of local food pantries throughout the Midwest. Since then, nearly $41 million has been gen- erated for those food pantries. And, more im- portantly, those meals stay local, Cooper said. The program runs three times a year when food pantries need it the most: spring, fall and holiday. During each cam- paign, customers are encouraged to pur- chase a $10 Simply Give donation card that is then converted into Meijer Food- Only Gift Card and donated directly to the local food pantry selected by the store for that campaign. Kroger and Apeel Partner to Fight Food Waste America's largest grocery retailer, and Apeel Sciences, recently named a 2018 World Eco- nomic Forum Technology Pioneer and a CNBC Disruptor 50, have announced The Horton Fruit Company is supplying Apeel avocados to Kroger, starting in its Cincinnati market. Through the partnership, Kroger will offer the freshest avocados to shoppers and reduce food waste on the shelf and at home. "Apeel is an innovative partner that will help Kroger reduce food waste and redefine the customer experience through first-to- market technology," said Frank Romero, Kroger's Vice President of Produce. "Kroger's relationship with Apeel developed as a result of the exciting work we're doing with startups and enterprising companies to create the future of retail now." Apeel avocados have double the ripe time, which means less food waste on the shelf and at home, a solution that moves Kroger closer to the goal of eliminating food waste across the company by 2025. They have a plant- based coating that naturally slows the rate of water loss and oxidation – the primary causes of spoilage – and is generally recog- nized as safe by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Apeel produce stays fresh two to three times longer, which promotes more sustainable growing practices, better quality food and less food waste from farm to retail shelf to home. For suppliers and re- tailers, Apeel produce is the only product that has an optimal microclimate inside of every piece of fruit, which leads to improved qual- ity, extended shelf life, and transportability – without requiring refrigeration, controlled atmosphere or preservatives. "Kroger is at the forefront of the fight against food waste and we're honored to be a resource in their journey to zero waste," said James Rogers, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Apeel. "Kroger's commit- ment to families and the health of the envi- ronment is admirable, and together, we believe we can dramatically advance our shared goal of less waste and better-quality food for all." With roughly one-third of food going to waste throughout the global supply chain, this partnership is a measurable step toward preventing food waste at every level. Annu- ally, Americans throw away more than 400 pounds of food per person, costing a house- hold of four an average of $1,800 and col- lective retail losses due to food waste amount to an estimated $18 billion. Apeel avocados maintain optimal quality and ripeness twice as long, without requiring the use of refrig- eration or preservatives, stopping food waste before it happens and making it possible for premium quality avocados to reach more people across the country. Kroger is launching Apeel avocados in 109 stores in its Cincinnati market, with plans to expand to new cities. The Kroger and Apeel partnership comes after Apeel's news last month of $70 million in new financing led by a leading global hedge fund, Viking Global Investors, and the company's plans to accelerate operational scale-up in response to supplier and retailer demand for programs across avocado, citrus, berry, stone fruit and asparagus categories.