Washington, D.C.—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced efforts to host aCongressional fly-into address climate change, which will take place over a two-week period from September 21 to October 2. Nearly 60 organic stakeholders from across the country representing the entire organic supply chain will “virtually converge" on Capitol Hill, working in small teams with other OTA members to attend pre-scheduled virtual meetings with federal lawmakers and their staff, according to a press release. Participating organic operations include Amy’s Kitchen, Pipeline Foods, Lundberg Family Farm, Cliff Bar, Organic Valley, Applegate, Danone North America, Stonyfield, Patagonia Works, True Organics, and CCOF.

“Climate change is a real threat to all of us, and bold policy solutions are required to mitigate the impacts and help farmers and communities adapt to the changing climate,” said Laura Batcha, OTA CEO and Executive Director, in a press release. “We are grateful to our members for their engagement, especially as many of them are struggling with the devastating results of climate change in their areas in the form of wildfires. They’re still contributing their valuable time to take part in virtual meetings with dozens of House and Senate lawmakers and their staff, and advocate for meaningful climate action.”
Related: #NaturallyInformed: Saving the Planet, Soil First #NaturallyInformed: From Farm to Conference Regenerative Agriculture in the Age of COVID-19 & Beyond
AsWholeFoodspreviously reported, OTA recently released a white paper that identifies policy opportunities to elevate the role of organic in the climate change discussion, support organic farmers, and encourage the transition to organic farming. The report,Advancing Organic to Mitigate Climate Change, incorporates the key principles identified by OTA’s Board of Directors to achieve meaningful climate policy solutions.

“Congress is showing a renewed interest in climate policy, and momentum for transformative action to prevent the most devastating impacts of climate change is happening now,” said Megan DeBates, Director of Legislative Affairs and Coalitions for the OTA. “It’s important that our members reach out to Congress now to begin the important discussions to advance organic in climate policy, and to develop policies that will enable all to benefit from organic’s ability to mitigate climate change.”