September 12, 2019 (Toronto) -- The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Organic Leadership awards. Awards were presented during this year’s 10th anniversary Organic Week Celebration in Toronto. Organic Week is Canada’s largest consumer organic education campaign, running nationally September 9-15th.
Organic Innovator of the Year – Cha’s Organics
Organic Supplier of the Year - Fromagerie L'Ancêtre
Organic Champion of the Year – Vincent duBreton
Organic Retailer of the Year – Organic Garage
Leadership in Organic Science – Martin Entz
Organic Farmer of the Year – l’Union des producteurs agricole (UPA)
“It is so rewarding to see the hard work of colleagues and industry members be recognized across disciplines. These successes feel like our success when we are all working toward the shared goal of strengthening and sustaining the organic movement in Canada,” said Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association.
COTA's Organic Leadership Awards recognize those who have done something exceptional to advance the organic industry or support organic education in Canada by demonstrating skill and innovation, and commitment. Award winners serve as inspirational leaders to the organic sector, exhibiting outstanding leadership and vision above and beyond that which is required of them.
Congratulations again to this year's winners! If you know a company, farm or association who exemplifies the principles of organic, keep them in mind for next year's Organic Leadership Awards!
About the Canada Organic Trade Association
The Canada Organic Trade Association is a membership-based association for the organic industry in Canada: representing growers, processors, certifiers, provincial farmers’ associations, importers, exporters, retailers and others throughout the organic value chain. COTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. COTA brings together the diversity of Canada’s organic sector: from farmer and processor to retail, including food products, fibre and textiles, personal care, and emerging sectors such as organic aquaculture. www.canada-organic.ca
Organic Week is organized by the Canada Organic Trade Association, Canadian Organic Growers and the Canadian Health Food Association with the generous support of the following sponsors:
Seeds of Change, PC Organics, Nature’s Path, United Natural Foods (UNFI), Mary’s Gone Crackers, Yorkshire Valley Farms, Crofter’s, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, duBreton, The Big Carrot, Mill Street Brewery, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Pro-Cert Organics, Hippie Snacks, Patience Fruit & Co., Cha’s Organics, Organic Garage and Indigo Natural Products Management.
Media contacts:
Heather Badenoch, Village PR, 613-859-8232, heather@villagepr.ca
Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director, COTA, cellular 613-852-4691, tloftsgard@canada-organic.ca