HI FRIENDS,
Summer’s in full swing, and if you’re in produce, you know what that means—it’s all about the hustle and bustle! The extra daylight fuels our nonstop operation, and the excitement of every harvest arriving from Northwest farms is infectious. We’re soaking up the sunshine that makes our organic berries, cherries, row crops and melons some of the best in the world.
For me, summer is also a perfect time to pause and reflect on our progress and the year’s highlights so far. One of the biggest moments? Being named Organic Company of the Year in March! The Organic Center and Organic Voices/Only Organic announced this incredible honor during Expo West, the nation’s largest organic and natural food trade show. OGC was nominated by our peers — a finalist alongside national organic brands we greatly admire. Standing on stage to accept the award among stars of the organic industry was surreal and humbling. OGC’s mission is to inspire and advance the organic agriculture movement, so this achievement is a testament to our collective efforts to do right by our planet and community. It’s the result of decades of hard work, integrity and trust-building—honoring those who paved the way and welcoming fresh perspectives. OGC has always had a bold vision – we’re rebels with a cause, and now we’re recognized nationally.
Speaking of gatherings—have you heard? Organicology is back in 2025, and we’re planning a conference like no other. We’ve assembled a rock star committee working hard to bring together contributors, advocates and change-makers from across the organic trade to revolutionize food, agriculture and economic models for the better. Together, we’ll share our work, progress and challenges, unearth new possibilities and build the deep connections needed to grow the organic agriculture movement for today and tomorrow. I’m counting the days and hope to see you there. Learn more on page 14 of this update and stay connected through www.organicology.com A special shoutout to our Organicology sponsors— your generosity, leadership and partnership are truly remarkable.
Enjoy the summer’s bounty and let’s keep the organic momentum going!
Brenna Davis CEO
Farming for the Future
OGC Invests in Climate-Smart Agriculture & Soil Health Initiatives
Recent science shows that farming can help tackle climate change by adopting practices that improve soil health, cut greenhouse gas emissions and store carbon in the soil. These methods create healthy soil, boost production, save farmers money and make farms more resilient to climate change.
When OGC’s sourcing and sustainability teams learned about an opportunity to take part in a project focused on enhancing and measuring on-farm carbon storage by protecting soil health, we dug in. Our mission to grow the organic agriculture movement means we have a role in environmental research and education
The nationwide project kicks off this summer and is led by the nonprofit Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment in Maine. Funding for the project is being provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Partnerships for ClimateSmart Commodities program and private sector partners like OGC.
As collaborators, we’re teaming up with Northwest grower partners and have pledged $100,000 from the OGC Mission Fund over three years to support the work and research. Wolfe’s Neck is more than matching our investment with $150,000, bringing $250,000 to help Northwest farms implement new on-farm soil regenerating methods. Our grower partners will receive administrative, financial and tactical support to use additional climate-smart practices.
Data from these projects, collected through annual soil sampling, will contribute to the USDA’s COMET-Farm calculator, a tool that calculates the environmental benefits of conservation. The goal is to show how regenerative, organic farming systems help the planet and fight climate change over time. Meet an OGC grower partner who’s getting started this summer:
COAST FORK FARM
Along the banks of the Coast Fork of the Willamette River just north of Cottage Grove, Oregon lies 12 acres of organically grown grapes, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries on a farm named for the river tributary. Ed and Wendy Aro own and run the farm with their adult children and vineyard manager, Jose “Cande” Soto and his family. They work with organic farming experts and
Oregon State University to improve the farm’s organic plant health management program, introduce new food safety practices and prepare the farm to adapt and thrive in a changing climate. They’re also dedicated to supporting and improving the farm’s biodiversity. Their laser focus on sustainability made partnering with OGC on this project a natural fit.
Through this grant, Ed and Wendy will invest in a mulcher to use wood chips as mulch to suppress weeds without tillage or chemicals (or plastic film), keep the soil cool in the summer, reduce moisture loss and retain carbon in the soil. They’ll also carry out a three-year nutrient management plan that will help keep the plants healthy throughout the transition to mulched fields.
“We’ve been doing a lot on the farm for sustainability, so we were delighted when OGC brought us this opportunity. The initiative to develop more earth-friendly farms is genius – it’s a way of providing expertise, directing us toward best practices and offering financial resources to make starting these programs possible,” shared Ed. “With the things we’re starting over this three-year project period, we’ll be able to dial in permanent practices that will be in place for as long as we own and operate the farm.”
The USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program is investing a historic $3.1 billion in projects across the country to help producers and land managers adopt climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices, helping them adapt to the impacts of climate change and work towards solutions that reduce future climate impacts.
With OGC’s involvement and commitment to sustainable farming practices, we’re proud to be a part of the movement to foster a healthier planet and a more resilient agricultural community. Watch for project updates as we bring other farms into this program.
This work, led by Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under agreement number NR233A750004G032. [CC1]
“We’ve been doing a lot on the farm for sustainability, so we were delighted when OGC brought us this opportunity. The initiative to develop more earth-friendly farms is genius – it’s a way of providing expertise, directing us toward best practices and offering financial resources to make starting these programs possible,”
shared Ed Aro, Owner of Coast Fork Farm.
Salad Success
COMMONPLACE FARM EXPANDS BAGGED LINE WITH SUPPORT FROM OGC
Within the rural landscape of Corvallis, Oregon, Jeremy and Ashli Mueller have continuously developed their 24-acre certified organic farm into a vision set before stepping on the land. This season marks a milestone for Commonplace Farm as they expand their salad bagging line - a program OGC is excited to support.
The farm operates on a seasonal, field-based model, harvesting fresh salad greens from late May through early November. This 22–24-week season represents half the year’s efforts to grow and bring the freshest organic greens to market.
“This season, we’re offering an assortment of five premium, certified organic bagged lettuces and mixes,” said Jeremy. “We’ve planted 30% more than in previous years, a testament to the farm’s overall growth and development.”
Jeremy credits the expansion to all the work in recent years, like better irrigation, building a great team and upgrading infrastructure.
“It’s our fifth season, and the work we’ve put into developing our operation has paid off. We’ve focused on adding some automation with a salad wash line and pack line, increasing our planting and harvesting capacity, and OGC was ready to carry a local seasonal salad line. It all came together this season.”
The vision for adding automation to the packing line began eight years ago, even before the Muellers moved onto the property. “We conceived the set up long ago, and we’re halfway there,” Jeremy shares. The pack line, developed piece by piece, includes
a dedicated line for triple washing freshly harvested, delicate greens and gently spin-drying them with air. The addition of a salad weighing was a game-changer. “Now, a conveyor kicks the salad 16 feet into the air and drops the right weight into a bag. It calculates a combination of greens on command, multiple times a minute, eliminating the bottleneck created by manual weighing.”
Automation at Commonplace Farm isn’t about replacing people; it’s about enhancing their roles. “We want to enable our team to be paid more by automating repetitive tasks,” says Jeremy. “I value our team and want them to contribute to all aspects of farming.”
At peak season, Commonplace Farm employs a crew of 20 people, including family members.
OGC has enthusiastically supported Commonplace Farm since Jeremy and Ashli took over from longtime organic farmer Tom Denison. This year marks their first venture into selling bagged salads through OGC, offering 5 oz. and 10 oz. sizes for retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Commonplace Farm also received two OGC Mission Fund produce-focused grants in recent years, supporting investments in farm structures and equipment, like the addition of an efficient bagging line.
“Looking toward the future, we’re not an expansionist-minded farm business,” Jeremy notes. “We have a lot of room to grow where we’re planted. Our focus is on maintaining a healthy organic system with good crop rotation and cover cropping.”
Expanding the salad bagging line is a significant step for Commonplace Farm, marking the halfway point of what’s possible on their land. With their continued dedication to sustainable farming, Commonplace Farm is making a positive impact on the environment and giving more and more people access to healthy organic greens.
Warehouse All-Stars The
At OGC, our warehouse team is the engine of our operation, working day and night to make sure that fresh, organic produce gets from the farm to our customers with speed and care. Every pint of berries and every box of greens that comes through our facility is handled by a team who take great pride in what they do. From the moment produce arrives at our Portland facility to the second it leaves for its final destination, our warehouse all-stars are there every step of the way, bringing OGC’s values of service, trust and moving with intention to life.
In August, OGC recognizes this team with Warehouse Appreciation Week. Let’s take a closer look at the journey of our produce and the people who make it happen by following the path one pint of Northwest grown strawberries takes after it’s harvested and lands at OGC.
As soon as a truckload of strawberries lands on the dock of our Portland facility, Rafael Aguirre, a warehouse receiving team lead, jumps into action to get the berries into the coolers as quickly as possible.
After a wave planner decides which lucky customer is getting our strawberries, Ronnie Jones, a PM warehouse lead, springs into action. He checks what he needs to pull from the coolers, gets the labels and jumps onto the forklift to build a customized pallet. The pallet is carefully loaded onto a truck and away it goes to a customer!
Our diligent warehousing team works hard, 24/7, year-round. They bring OGC’s values of winning on service, building trust, moving with intention and cultivating connection to life. Growers work with OGC because of the care we take of their harvests and customers appreciate our produce quality and expertly built pallets – and that all comes down to this group.
Then, OGC’s Quality Assurance Team does a product check to make sure everything looks good. Once they sign off, it gets labeled and whisked away into the assigned cooler and logged in our virtual warehouse. That’s when Sara Parks, a Senior Account Representative, steps up to sell those strawberries.
“It’s exciting to talk to all my customers every day, letting them know when we have new local products or an item from a new region; we make sure they get the freshest best produce,” explains Sara.
“We’re very connected to our produce; we know the farmers that grew it, the people who are bringing it to us and we have excellent operations and warehouse staff.”
Once an order is submitted, OGC wave planners take action. Brandon Zachowicz “BZ,” a 10-year employee at OGC and Assistant Warehouse Manager shared, “Wave planning is one of the most vital functions at OGC. Wave planners make sure that our work goes as smoothly as possible — they figure out which produce goes on which orders, how a pallet should be organized, make sure that orders are loaded on time and troubleshoot when something comes up.”
“Wave planning is a specialized role that’s far along the warehousing career path. You put in time to learn how things work, and the career path offers building blocks along the way; the more you know about one thing, the more it informs the other.”
“I am always impressed with how our warehouse team is so responsive to the needs of our customers.”
“These folks work in a 34-degree warehouse all day and night to get our customers the highquality organic produce they need safely, accurately and on time. Those aren’t just words. It’s something that everyone takes into account every day and as they do what they need to do to give the best service to our customers as possible,” said Everet Chenevert, OGC VP of Operations.
As we celebrate Warehouse Appreciation Week this month, we extend our deepest gratitude to OGC’s warehouse all-stars, whose commitment, partnership and hard work are a big part of our success every day.
IN-HOUSE QUALITY CHECKS BY OGC’S REPACK
TEAM
OGC’s repack team jumps in when items need to be repackaged for a special order, like for a restaurant.
“Through our small pack program, everything
we
stock in the cooler can be sorted for customers to meet their needs and make them happy,” shared Pedro Sosa.
Repack also confirms quality – for our strawberries, they’ve looked through to make sure each one is delicious and ready to eat.
JOINS PROVENDER ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristi Yoder
At OGC, team members believe in sharing our decades of experience in retail, organic agriculture and the supply chain by serving on boards and committees that help strengthen our trade. Kristi Yoder, OGC’s Senior Sales Manager, is the latest to go above and beyond for our sector as a new Provender Alliance Board Member. Founded in 1976, Provender Alliance exists to educate, inspire and create networking opportunities for people working in the natural food community and beyond.
Growing up in Eastern Oregon, Kristi first became passionate about food grown and produced with integrity. This youthful enthusiasm and rebellious spirit blossomed into a values-based career in natural foods and organic produce.
While earning degrees in Environmental Studies and Biology at the University of Oregon, Kristi began her journey at Sundance Natural Foods as a Produce Clerk, then advancing to Produce Manager and FrontEnd Manager. She joined OGC’s sales team in 2010 as an Account Representative and has proven to be a steadfast leader in business while staying true to purpose by serving organic growers, retailers and eaters. Kristi’s experience now includes 25 years in organic produce and two decades of leadership in the natural foods field.
Kristi credits the annual Provender Conference with contributing to her professional success and values the organization as a vital business league for strengthening the organic and natural foods community. As a Provender Alliance Board member, Kristi is committed to growing positive business connections that benefit the health of people and the planet. She’s honored to join the board and is dedicated to helping the organization thrive by serving its members with intention and cultivating the next generation of natural foods leaders. To learn more about Provender Alliance and how to become a member, visit www.provender.org
CELEBRATING ORGANIC DISRUPTOR David Lively
OGC founder and organic industry visionary David Lively was recognized for nine years of service on the Organic Trade Association (OTA) Board of Directors at the 2024 OTA Organic Week event in Washington, D.C.
David, a mentor and leader in the organic sector, joined the OTA Board in 2015. He served on many committees, including the Community Relations Committee, where he was the chair for several years. His humble sharing of produce industry insights and his role in developing the next generation of leaders have left a lasting impact.
During his acceptance speech, David shared,
“Over 12% of my life has included annual trips to DC and attendance at periodic meetings and retreats with my fellow board members, all of which have provided learning and growth and refined perspective. Those nine years have been significant to my fate, and my 44-year career in organic produce working with a few hundred trade partners.”
From his 1975 start at Sunbow Natural Foods Co-op to the creation and growth of Organically Grown Company, for nearly five decades David’s leadership and rebellious innovation in the organic trade has shown us the impact our relationship with food can bring. In his words, “What a long, great trip it’s been.”
Find out more about David’s journey, his plans for an organic trade Elders Council and his philosophy on the importance of how we frame organic messaging by watching his full speech by clicking the button above.
Expanding Melons THE LADYBUG LINE WITH
OGC’s melon program and promotions are taking things up a notch to support our amazing customers and dedicated growers. We’ve gone big this season, adding organic Black Seedless Watermelon to our ever-growing Ladybug Brand lineup. These juicy, dark-rind beauties hit the shelves in early June and are available through September.
This summer, we’re also welcoming Northwest grown, organic, dry farmed melons to the Ladybug Brand family. Dry farming uses existing soil moisture and strategically timed plantings to produce incredibly sweet, flavorful melons with minimal irrigation. It’s a win-win: conserving resources and packing a punch of taste. With warmer, drier weather becoming the norm, irrigation challenges are real. By introducing dry-farmed crops, OGC is stepping up to support water-challenged farmers.
To keep the melon magic rolling, OGC’s marketing team is whipping up weekly Melon Minute videos. We’re taking customers behind the rind to share the juicy secrets and build excitement all summer long.
ORGANIC GRAPES IS YOUR GO-TO FOR Ladybug Brand
Now, into early fall, OGC is offering an unmatched lineup of California and Northwest grown, organic, seedless grapes tucked into eco-friendly kraft paper totes that shoppers will love. These grapes are perfect for snacking and salads and reducing plastic in the produce department and landfills.
OGC’s grape program got even better last year with the introduction of the Ladybug Brand recyclable/compostable paper tote. This year, the assortment of specialty grapes is growing with two more Northwest grown varieties.
BLACK SEEDLESS
Deep purple-black in color, flavorful and super sweet with chewy skin.
RED SEEDLESS
Richly hued red grapes are sweet, crisp and juicy with a classic grape flavor.
NW RELIANCE
Deep red and incredibly sweet, these high-sugar grapes are addictive.
NW EINSET
Dark red with a sweet, strawberry-like flavor. A real treat for taste buds.
NW LAKEMONT
Light golden yellow-green grapes that taste like honey. Seriously delicious.
GREEN SEEDLESS
Bright green and perfectly balanced – sweet with a bit of refreshing tartness.
NW JUPITER
Blue-black grapes with a tropical flavor and a crunchy texture - it’s a surprise for the tastebuds.
THOMCORD/NW THOMCORD
Blue-black grapes that taste just like grape jam — so nostalgic.
NW INTERLAKEN
Green with a hint of sunset color. Tangy, sweet and crisp.
Medium to deep red and sweetly fruity. A refreshing snack.
organicology is back
Looking for the newest organic research, inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, fantastic entertainment, celebration and connection?
Organicology is back, and it’s unlike any other conference or trade show out there. We’re bringing together people from all corners of the trade to foster skill development, celebrate successes and tackle challenges collectively.
OGC is excited to have the support of so many sponsors and community partners and to welcome an all-star lineup of keynote speakers to the Organicology 2025 stage including Leah Penniman, Founding Co-ED and Farm Director of Soul Fire Farm, James Cassidy, Instructor at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Faculty Advisor for the Organic Grower’s Club (and dynamic performer and part of famed 80’s band Information Society) and Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the USDA National Organic Program.
Our speakers will draw from their diverse backgrounds and experience in organic agriculture in the public and private sectors and share their unique perspectives on the future of the organic food revolution. We hope you’ll join us for a conference that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Don’t miss a beat. Find out more about the event, sponsorship, keynote speakers and stay in the loop on the latest news by visiting Organicology.com and signing up for email updates.
Harvesting
Learning & Connection
Fall is brimming with chances to learn, network and grow within our vibrant regional food and farming community. Look for the OGC team at these exciting events – we can’t wait to see you there.
SEPT. 8
SEPT. 26
CULINARY BREEDING NETWORK’S 10TH ANNUAL VARIETAL SHOWCASE
PORTLAND, OR | Click here for tickets
SUSTAINABLE FOOD & AGRICULTURE TRUST GATHERING
VIRTUAL | Save the date
OCT. 22
OREGON ORGANIC AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
PORTLAND, OR | Visit the Oregon Organic Coalition website for updates
OCT. 22-24
NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD MEETING
PORTLAND, OR | This bi-annual, public meeting is taking place in Portland, offering a convenient opportunity for the NW organic community to attend (it’s free) and influence organic standards or simply watch and learn about the Federal Advisory Board process, which separates organic agriculture practices and claims from all other food labels. Click here for the location and schedule.
OCT. 23-25 NOV. 14
48TH ANNUAL PROVENDER CONFERENCE
HOOD RIVER, OR | Click to learn more
TASTE OF PNW ORGANIC
VANCOUVER, WA | A wholesale-to-farmer networking event for producers and buyers in Washington and Oregon to learn, sample and explore sales relationships. FREE! Click to learn more
NOV. 14-16
THE 50TH TILTH CONFERENCE
VANCOUVER, WA | Check it out
The Benefits of Organic are Clear
OGC Invests in New Report that Highlights Health & Sustainability Advantages
We’re excited to share the findings of a new report that underscores the numerous benefits of organic produce, reinforcing the importance of our work at Organically Grown Company. Compiled and published by The Organic Center, this report synthesizes three decades of scientific studies to highlight the positive impacts of organic farming and produce on health and the environment. Underwriting for the report came from an OGC Mission Fund grant.
“Educating our team about the science-backed benefits of organic produce is crucial, and this report makes it effortless. It’s a valuable resource for everyone in the produce trade,” said Brenna Davis, CEO of OGC.
KEY FINDINGS
Nutritional Boost: Organic produce like strawberries, spinach, apples and oranges, contains higher levels of essential nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins. These compounds contribute to better health, flavor and aroma of the produce.
Health Benefits: Eating organic produce reduces dietary exposure to harmful pesticides and chemicals. The report shows that organic farming practices result in fewer toxic residues on fruits and vegetables, contributing to better overall health for eaters and farm workers.
Environmental Wins: Organic farming fosters biodiversity, improves soil and water quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change. These practices support a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.
Economic and Social Benefits: The higher premiums associated with organic products improve farmers’ livelihoods and boost rural economies, making sure that organic farming continues to be a viable and sustainable option for future generations.
Dr. Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center, emphasizes the importance of these findings: “Healthy diets need produce. Fruits and vegetables – whether eaten fresh or cooked – provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to the human body. But not all produce is equal.”
“This report reinforces why our work at Organically Grown Company is so important. We’re committed to promoting healthier, more sustainable food choices and this research backs up everything we believe in,” said Brenna.
We encourage you to read the full report and share its insights with your friends, family, colleagues and community. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the health of the planet and people.
What an Honor
2024 has been an exciting and humbling year on the awards front. OGC’s mission and impact have been recognized by regional and national trade organizations in our sector and honored with four awards earlier this year. These awards truly belong to all of us – from the organic growers we work with who care for the land and grow the best produce to our customers who are dedicated to organic and OGC and our coworkers, for going the extra mile every single day, winning on service, building trust and supporting each other.
“Organic Company of the Year” by The Organic Center and Organic Voices/Only Organic. Our hearts are full of gratitude to everyone who is a part of the organic trade – especially our coworkers, growers, customers, investors and community.
2024 Oregon Food Bank Network Changemaker We’re helping end hunger in big ways through our gleaning program, sharing over 89 tons of fruits and veggies last year. By keeping this still delicious surplus food out of landfills, we’re minimizing waste, reducing our carbon footprint and helping address hunger.
Washington Food Industry Association’s Vendor of the Year We are so grateful to WFIA and our Washington partners—customers, growers and community allies—who help make our mission to grow the organic agricultural movement possible.
2nd Place at the Great West Safety Awards OGC has one of the safest fleets in the Northwest. This award from the Oregon Trucking Association spotlights our transportation team’s driving record, dedication, professionalism, patience and care.
We’re proud to be game changers who make a real difference in growing the organic movement.
Organically Grown Company appreciates the leadership, experience and guidance provided by our dedicated Board of Governors, the SFAPPT Trust Protector Committee and Trust Enforcers.
BOARD
Mike Bedessem | Hudson, WI
Cathy Calfo | Santa Cruz, CA
Bianca Kaprielian | Oakland, CA
Edmund LaMacchia | Soquel, CA
Maia Larson | Eugene, OR
Brian Rohter | Hood River, OR
You can learn more about their experience and accomplishments at www.organicgrown.com/ourboard
TRUST PROTECTOR COMMITTEE
ARE YOU AN OGC CUSTOMER, GROWER, INVESTOR, COMMUNITY ALLY OR COWORKER?
If you fall into one of these groups, you have the opportunity to influence how our business is run by becoming a Qualified Stakeholder. Learn more and submit an Expression of Interest
Kim Gibson Clark | Eugene, OR
David Lively | Eugene, OR
Joe Rogoff | Guerneville, CA
George Siemon | Viroqua, WI
Natalie Reitman-White | Kimberley, BC
TRUST ENFORCERS
Kate Danaher | Nevada City, CA
Mike Neubeck | Eugene, OR
Andy Westlund | Scio, OR organicgrown.com