Webinar: Labels, Labels, Labels, Promoting Ontario Organics in the face of a Crowded Playing Field

Organic has been challenged in keeping up with the dietary needs of the market place. For example, with demand for gluten free product rapidly rising, health product retailers often cannot access gluten free certified organic product. Filling the shelves with these non certified alternatives is a missed market opportunity for the organic sector and detrimental for the consumer seeking health. Consumers mistakenly assume natural health food stores supply beneficial product whether certified or not. It behooves the consumer to be not only aware, but to step up and help the organic sector grow in meaningful ways, for it is their dollars supporting the non certified alternatives in their search for health. There is much to be learned about these changes in the market place. Join this session to discuss the issues and find out what the Ontario Organic Council has planned to build a stronger presence for Ontario Organics.

Kelly Carmichael: Kelly is OCOs Communications and Membership Manager. She is a communications and marketing professional with a formal education in graphic arts and brand development. She holds a diverse portfolio including many iconic Canadian brands. Her campaign development experience has given her the opportunity to develop culinary tasting events showcasing local chefs and produce. As the former Executive Director of a national not-for-profit, she was tasked with building the movement for proportional representation in Canada. She also comes from a long line of family farmers. When not working as a communications professional, she and her partner run a regenerative, rotational grazing, farm-to-fork business serving the GTA.

Aaron Skelton: Aaron is the father of three, husband of one, and an aspiring amateur weekend athlete. He is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working within the natural, organic, and wellness industry for over 18 years. Aaron has led the health divisions for both food and non-food at Canada’s largest grocery retailer (Loblaw Companies), as well as co-founded Canada’s 16th fastest growing company, GreenSpace Brands (2018 Maclean’s Growth 500). 

Aaron is passionate about improving the health and well-being of Canadians through the support and activation of people, products, and organizations in the health and wellness industry. 

Kate McMurray: Kate is a certified nutritionist and healthy food systems advocate. For 10 years her work at The Big Carrot has focused on championing organic agriculture, building better food literacy, and fostering creative partnerships in the community.

The Big Carrot is a worker-owned natural food market that has been committed to local, organic, non-GMO and sustainable food systems since 1983. Growing from 9 founding partners to a thriving worker-owned business, The Big Carrot is run in the same democratic manner as when it first opened. Its approach to health includes creating and protecting sustainable, robust food systems and facilitating community innovation. Each year The Big Carrot funds two grant streams: Carrot Cache and Natures Finest Fund which support sustainable farming and equitable food systems in Ontario.