Two new industry partnerships may reshape the food and beverage sector as SupplySide West approaches

At SupplySide, we believe in building a better world through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and trade associations. As such, we are excited to announce two new partnerships in the food and beverage sectors. The Non-GMO Project and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) have recently partnered with SupplySide, and both new partners will play active roles in the upcoming SupplySide West show.

About the Non-GMO Project

The Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that many may already be familiar with. Their well-known butterfly emblem is one of the fastest growing labels in the retail sector and provides consumers with the knowledge that a product has undergone a rigorous certification process to ensure it contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Formed in 2007, the Non-GMO Project raises awareness by providing outreach, education, marketing support for verified brands, and training and merchandising materials for retailers. It believes that building and preserving a non-GMO supply chain is a critical step in securing safer food sources for future generations. 

Through its Equitable Transfer Program, the Non-GMO Project encourages businesses with diverse leadership in the food, beverage or body care industries to apply for funding to cover the costs associated with verification. The program was launched in 2023 and was designed to address some of the barriers these companies face in accessing financial resources, using industry infrastructure and increasing visibility for their products. Past recipients include Tiffin Asha and La Morenita.

“As a nonprofit organization, we’re so thankful to SupplySide West for all the ways they have supported the Non-GMO Project in this upcoming tradeshow,” Jade Vantreese, communications manager at the Non-GMO Project, said. “We’re excited to booth for the first time at SupplySide and collaborate with them in growing the availability of non-GMO inputs and ingredients. Our CPG brands depend on Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients as the basis of their products.

“We are so much stronger together — together with our CPG partners, together with other certification labels, together with our trade show partners. If we’re really going to enact meaningful change across our food web, we need everyone’s participation and collaboration. And tradeshows are a great place for nurturing those conversations.” 

Look for the Non-GMO Project at Booth 7756 at SupplySide West. Also, come see its newest Equitable Transfer Program recipient, Linda Alvarez from Levelle Nutrition, in an education session titled “Active nutrition category updates: The regulatory, market and scientific landscape of products and ingredients” on Monday, Oct. 28. 

About the Organic Trade Association

OTA is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its diverse membership spans the food supply chain, from grower to retailer.

OTA also serves as a unifying voice for its diverse members by promoting and protecting organic agriculture and trade through legislative and regulatory advocacy. It is the only association working on behalf of the organic sector by building and retaining meaningful relationships with members of Congress and their staff.  OTA works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program, the National Organic Standards Board, and the Food and Drug Administration on food and farming policy.

Visit the OTA website to access resources and learn more about the organic products industry, including its programs and events, advocacy efforts and market analysis. OTA’s Diversity and Entrepreneurship Program provides a two-year membership to qualifying businesses.

When asked what partnering with SupplySide means to OTA, Stephanie Jerger, vice president of Operations, replied, “partnering with SupplySide further amplifies our commitment to being the unifying voice of organic. OTA represents over 9,000 businesses across 50 states. The only way that we can be effective is by working with partners who help us strengthen our value. SupplySide is the premier show for several sectors of our membership, and this partnership is evidence of alignment and our ability to create synergy in our industry.”

Look for OTA member Auclair Walters of Poofy Organics in the SupplySide session titled “Cosmetics and nutricosmetics: Compliance strategies, popular ingredients and market data” on Thursday, Oct. 31.

For more information about partnering with SupplySide, contact Karin VanSlyke.