Who’s New On the National Organic Standards Board?
Four new faces join the USDA's select committee for organic industry recommendations.
As often happens, four members of the National Organic Standards Board are stepping down at the end of this year. They have finished their five-year terms of voting on official organic recommendations, including approved handling procedures for organic crops and national exemptions for conventional ingredients that can be considered organic in otherwise organic products. Each exiting member already has a replacement in his/her specific organic trade category.
Farmer/Grower: Ashley Swaffer, director of special projects at the Arkansas Egg Company replaces outgoing Wendy Fulwider, PhD, an animal care specialist for Organic Valley and the CROPP cooperative. According to the Board, Swaffer has at some point been involved in all major aspects of organic egg production, including certifications management and plant safety audits.
Handler: Clif Bar ingredient sourcing manager Tom Chapman fills the handler role left vacant by exiting handler John Foster, director of compliance for food safety and organic integrity at organic greens purveyor Earthbound Farm. Chapman has served in the organic industry for 12 years.
Retailer: MOM’s Organic Market vice president of grocery Lisa de Lima replaces Whole Foods quality standards coordinator Joe Dickson in the retailer position. Her company sells only 100% organic products and has locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
Environmentalist/Resource Conservationist: Beyond Pesticides cofounder and executive director Jay Feldman is relinquishing his seat to Paula Daniels, a senior advisory on food policy for the city of Los Angeles and founder of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.
Each member will start fresh in 2015, with his/her predecessor helping out during a transitionary period. A total of 15 industry members make up the National Organic Standards Board. Here’s a full list of NOSB members, which needs updating.
Robby Gardner
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook magazine
robby.gardner@ubm.com
Photo © iStockphoto.com/robynmac
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