AGENDA AND SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Registration & Coffee/Tea
8:00am
Welcome & Overview of the Day
9:00am
Capitalizing on Sustainability
9:20am
- Volkert Engelsmen, CEO, Robin Hood Project / EOSTA
Join Volkert Engelsman, founder of EOSTA and the Robin Food Project, for a dynamic keynote address as he explores the urgent need to integrate nature into our financial systems. Drawing on the latest data and initiatives from the Dutch-based Robin Food Coalition, he highlights the hidden costs of conventional food production and the societal benefits of organic farming—from climate resilience and biodiversity to public health and fair wages. Engelsman calls for a paradigm shift where ecological and social impacts are measured, managed, and monetized, paving the way for a nature-positive economy. This session will delve into:
- The economic case for organic farming and sustainable supply chains
- How transparency and true cost accounting reshape business decisions
- Lessons from the Robin Food Project: redirecting capital toward regenerative practices
Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or sustainability advocate, this session will challenge conventional thinking and inspire bold action toward a greener, fairer economy.
Organic trading in the new world order
10:10am
Featuring:
- Matt Holmes, EVP & Chief of Public Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Matt Landi, VP of Industry Relations, Organic Trade Association
Canada and the United States have long shared a strong and mutually beneficial organic trade relationship, anchored by a progressive equivalency arrangement that has enabled seamless cross-border movement of organic goods for over 16 years. As each other's largest organic trading partners, preserving and evolving this framework is vital to the sector’s continued growth and resilience.
At the same time, the global trade landscape is shifting. New tariffs, changing geopolitical alliances, climate-driven policies, and evolving consumer expectations are reshaping how organic businesses operate—bringing both new challenges and fresh opportunities.
This session brings together perspectives from both sides of the border to explore what these changes mean for organic trade. Representatives from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Organic Trade Association will share insights on how policy, diplomacy, and industry collaboration can help organic trade adapt and thrive in this evolving context.
Retailing Organic: Trends, Trust, and the Future of Consumer Choice
10:50
Featuring:
- Brenda Kirk, SVP, Health and Wellness, Pattison Food Group
As consumer demand for organic products continues to surge, collaboration between brands and retailers has never been more critical. This session brings together a seasoned leader—Brenda Kirk, who oversees operations across Pattison Food Group’s diverse retail banners—to explore how strategic partnerships fuel growth in the organic sector.
Through real-world examples and candid insights, they’ll unpack:
- How merchandising strategies and data-driven decisions boost organic visibility
- The role of supplier-retailer alignment in scaling sustainable product lines
- Innovations in supply chain and in-store experience that elevate consumer trust
- What’s next for organic in Canada’s evolving grocery landscape
Whether you're a brand or farmer looking to deepen retail relationships or a retailer aiming to expand your organic footprint, this session offers actionable strategies and fresh perspectives.
Lunch
11:35
Taking Your Organic Business to the Next Level
12:40
Featuring:
- Carole-Anne Nadeau, Senior Relationship Manager for Commercial Financing, Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
- Jeff Lahey, Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Humble Snacks
- Mike Fata, CEO, Fata & Associates; entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Manitoba Harvest
Growing an organic business today means more than having a great product—it takes vision, grit, and the right support. In this session, three experienced voices come together to share what it really takes to build and scale an organic brand in a competitive market.
From scaling a multimillion-dollar organic brand to launching a mission-driven startup, the conversation will explore what it takes to build a resilient business rooted in organic values. It will also examine how financial partners like FCC support sustainable growth through strategic capital access.
In this session, explore:
- How to build a resilient brand rooted in organic values
- Strategies for accessing capital and scaling sustainably
- Navigating growth while staying true to mission and product integrity
- The role of financial partners in supporting organic innovation
Whether you're just starting out or ready to expand, this session offers practical insights and inspiration from leaders who understand the challenges—and opportunities—of building businesses that matter.
The Big Organic Tent
1:25pm
Featuring:
- Linley Dixon, PhD – Co-Director, Real Organic Project
- Julia Lernoud – World Board member, IFOAM - Organics International
- Paul Alvarez – Program Director, Regenerative Organic Alliance
As organic agriculture continues to expand globally, so does the debate around its definition, direction, and integrity. This panel brings together leaders from three influential organizations—each with a distinct vision for organic certification and advocacy—to explore how the movement is evolving in response to environmental, social, and market pressures.
This panel will delve into:
- Philosophical and practical differences in organic standards and certification
- How each organization responds to greenwashing and the dilution of organic standards
- Opportunities for collaboration and alignment across movements
- What farmers, brands, and consumers need to know to make informed choices
This panel will deepen your understanding of the organic landscape and is a must-attend for anyone passionate about the future of organic.
What's Driving Organic Demand? Insights from Market Data and Nutrition
2:15pm
Featuring:
- Julie Daniluk, CEO & Nutritionist, Julie Daniluk Consulting
- Francis Parisien, SVP Sales SMB Canada, NielsenIQ
What's really behind the consumer's decision-making when they choose to purchase organic? This session brings together two distinct perspectives – data-driven insights and nutrition coaching expertise – to unpack the motivations shaping organic purchasing in Canada.
Drawing on the latest data and trends, the discussion will provide insights into the actual choices made by consumers and explore what's influencing buying decisions. The discussion will explore business implications for growers, brands and retailers on where they can stay relevant in a fast-evolving marketplace.
Refreshment break
3pm
Equivalency Under Review – U.S.A. and Europe
3:15pm
Featuring:
- Joey Martino – Deputy Director, Market Access Division, Europe, Middle East & Africa
- Valeriya Staykova – Lead Auditor, Canada Organic Regime (COR), CFIA
Organic equivalency arrangements are the backbone of international trade in certified organic products. Canada’s longest-standing equivalency arrangement—with the United States—is undergoing formal review for the first time since it was signed, and the EU-Canada agreement must transition to a full trade agreement by the end of 2026. These developments are unfolding against a backdrop of U.S. tariffs, trade diversification efforts, and heightened scrutiny of organic integrity.
This timely session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Canada evaluates alignment with international organic standards, the role of regulatory oversight in safeguarding the Canada Organic Regime, and how shifting global policies are influencing market access for Canadian organic products. The session will unpack equivalency arrangements, who and what is involved in the process, and potential impacts and opportunities for the organic sector.
Organic Summit ends
4pm
Preparing to Represent Organic: Parliament Day Briefing (COTA members-only)
4:05pm
Featuring:
- My-Lien Bosch – Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA)
COTA’s Annual Organic Parliament Day is a coordinated, high-impact event that brings the organic sector to Parliament Hill to advance shared priorities and advocate for policies that support the growth of the organic industry. Building on an earlier training webinar, this session offers a final briefing for participants ahead of their meetings with federal decision-makers.
Organic Parliament Day participants should plan on attending this session. Whether you are new to meeting with government officials or are a seasoned participant, this is the chance to review key messages, confirm logistics, ask questions, and ensure everyone is aligned, prepared, and confident to represent organic with impact.