Wal-Mart, Kroger and Meijer, Fresh Produce Leaders featured at Organic Produce Summit 2018 | Retailer Roundtable

Fresh produce leaders from three of the nations’ largest and most recognized grocery operations have been confirmed as panelists for the Retailer Roundtable at the third annual The Organic Produce Summit, on July 11-12 in Monterey, CA. 

The Retailer Roundtable will feature panelists Roger Harkrider, Director of Produce for Meijer, Inc.; Ron McCormick, Senior Director of Global Produce Sourcing at Walmart Stores, Inc.; and Randy Riley, Director of Produce Merchandising for The Kroger Co. Tonya Antle, Co-founder of the Organic Produce Network (OPN) will serve as moderator for the Retailer Roundtable, one of the most anticipated events at OPS 2018.

Pictured from Left to Right: Roger Harkrider, Director of Produce for Meijer; Ron McCormick, Senior Director of Global Produce Sourcing at Wal Mart Stores, Inc.; Randy Riley, Director of Produce Merchandising for Kroger; and Tonya Antle, Co-founder of the Organic Produce Network (OPN).

Featuring candid commentary and thought-provoking discussion, the Retailer Roundtable will highlight how each retailer incorporates organic fresh produce in their operations, as well as their analysis on the challenges, opportunities and future of the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce industry. 

“While the grocery industry continues to evolve to meet the growing needs of consumers, the produce department remains one of the key differentiators in growing consumer sales.  And driving all fresh produce is the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce category,” said Tonya Antle, co-founder of the Organic Produce Network, and moderator of the Retailer Roundtable.  “With three of the most forward-thinking retailers in the world, the Retailer Roundtable will dive into organic produce category strategies, product mix and how technology is changing the game. This promises to be an insightful and informative panel discussion with these produce industry leaders.”

In addition, three keynote presentations await OPS attendees.  Ed Carolan, President of Campbell Fresh; Dan Buettner, noted journalist, and discoverer of Blue Zones; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands will be featured keynote presenters at the third annual OPS. 

OPS 2018 will also present the following educational sessions:

• “Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy”
• “Organics and the Media – New Landscape of Information”
• “The Organic Supply Chain I & II – Opportunities and Challenges”
• “E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail”
• “Organic Ingredients – Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department” 

The educational sessions, keynote presentations, and the retailer roundtable are part of the third annual OPS at the Monterey Conference Center, bringing together organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors as well as retailer and buying organizations from across North America.

OPS 2018 also includes a selection of field tours for retailers and buyers; a gala opening night reception and a trade show featuring 130 producers and processors of organic fresh produce from around the globe.

For further information about OPS 2018, visit www.organicproducesummit.com