Join Strengthening Organic Systems Founding Partners Gwendolyn Wyard and Kim Dietz, as they sort through a shopping basket of products and demystify a myriad of eco-label claims. What do they mean? Which claims are backed by standards and/or certification? What are the hot organic regulatory topics? What is moving and shaking, and what is not? This session will provide up-to-date and accurate information on organic and natural labels claims and the requirements behind them. Retailers will gain insights on how to keep their staff and shoppers informed, and for those willing, active on the advocacy front. Featured topics in the shopping basket will include (but are not limited to): hot organic label topics, animal welfare, fraud prevention, pet food and mushroom standards, organic claims on non-food products, regenerative organic, and non-GMO. Do you have specific questions or concerns? Bring your organic or natural product and/or label to the workshop and we’ll answer your questions!
Gwendolyn Wyard has been actively working in the organic industry for over 30 years. She is a Founding Partner and Manager of Strengthening Organic Systems (SOS), an advisory firm dedicated to organic supply chain integrity and fraud prevention. Prior to SOS, Wyard served for more than a dozen years as the Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) where she worked on the development of policy strategy through regulatory engagement in the interest of OTA’s mission and its members. In her early career, Wyard was an farmer, an organic inspector, and served as Oregon Tilth’s Technical Specialist in organic policy and technical review of materials for use in organic products. Wyard holds an advanced degree in Fermentation Science with a minor in Chemistry. She served on the OMRI Board of Directors for 12 years and was the North American representative on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Advisory Board. For fun, Wyard likes costumes, travel adventures, music, scavenger hunts, and kitchen alchemy.
Kim holds a master’s degree in global food law and throughout her career has specialized in organic standards and policy. She worked for 30 plus years with the J.M. Smucker Company and 3 years with Firmenich. She has directly overseen 13 organic handling operations, including the management of the successful certification of the first certified organic handling facility in the United States. Early in her career she spearheaded the development of the first organic flavor. Dietz has tirelessly advocated for the organic sector, and has led numerous task forces, committees, and coalitions, including serving as president of the Organic Trade Association Board for 7 years, member of the National Organic Standards Board, founding member of the Organic Materials Review Institute and member of the California Organic Food Advisory Committee. For fun, Dietz like to camp, go to music festivals, ride motorcycles and bikes, and make spaces look beautiful.