USA: Organic Festival on social media

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and its member companies are teaming up with other leading organic influencers to throw Organic-Palooza, a first-ever 10-day social media festival that gets going on 8 September 2014. From affordability issues – how families can create an at-home organic menu without breaking the budget – to the trustworthiness of organic – an explanation of the strict regulations and standards that go into growing and making every single organic product – the campaign, delivered by OTA and some 50 strategic partners, will delve into the biggest issues surrounding organic, bust a few myths, and provide an unprecedented and free-wheeling exchange of ideas. views and knowledge.

Using the #OrganicFestival hashtag on its social media channels on Facebook  , Twitter, and Pinterest, daily themes include nutrition, the latest trends in organic, organic standards and the meaning of the organic seal, affordability, organic's role in mitigating global warming, a look at the latest research on organic, and more. Through recipes, meal-planning tips, and updates on organic fiber, consumers will be shown how to make organic a regular part of their lives. Special sessions will feature organic thought leaders including top food and nutrition writers and bloggers, organic policy and agricultural experts, and OTA members sharing their perspectives on policy, regulatory, and real-life concerns being faced by the organic community. The public will be introduced to the organic visionaries who have helped make the organic industry the robust part of the American food and fiber sector that it is today.

A five-day Twitter party will be wrapped into the festival, with each party zeroing in on a specific organic focus and co-hosted by an expert in the subject. One of the parties will be a "myth-busting" session to debunk common myths and misinformation about organic, co-hosted by Mark Smallwood, head of the Rodale Institute and an internationally recognized organic expert, and Dr. Jessica Shade, lead scientist for The Organic Center. Another one will be on GMOs in food supply with host Matt Dillon, an advocate and recognized expert in organic seed systems and agricultural policy and programs manager at Clif Bar. Dr. Alan Greene, a kids' health expert devoted to giving answers to parents' questions will co-host a session on what organic means for kids. Finally, eco-fashion pioneer Marci Zaroff will co-host a party on organic textiles, clarifying the importance of driving sustainability by choosing organic beyond food. Each Twitter party will be sponsored by OTA members who are offering prizes to festival participants ranging from organic snacks and sauces to a basket of organic linen. Randomly selected Facebook fans sharing news about the festival with their friends will be awarded daily prizes donated by OTA member companies, as will selected Pinterest followers who repin the campaign image. More information is available from www.ota.com