Stop the Organic Confusion! What Roasters Need to Know to Claim Organic

Gwendolyn Wyard, Processing Program Technical Specialist, Oregon Tilth

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 12PM – 1PM EST

Price: $59 for NCA members/$79 for members of SCAA, NAMA, CAC or OTA/$99 for non-members

According to the USDA, there has been a spike in complaints to their offices about coffee being marketed as organic when it does not meet the official standards. With a recent study indicating that there is significant consumer confusion about “natural” vs. “organic”, this is an area where clearly more information is needed. This webinar session with an organic inspector will clarify the procedures, regulations and pitfalls around organic certification and marketing, and will afford plenty of opportunities for Q&A.

You will:
•    Gain clarity on the USDA requirements for organic labeling
•    Understand what the roasting and operations pitfalls are
 

About Gwendolyn Wyard: Gwendolyn Wyard has been actively working in the organic industry for 12 years, and her work often engages her in the coffee industry. She received her certificate as an independent farm and processing inspector through the Independent Organic Inspector’s Association (IOIA) in 1997. Afterwards, she worked as a subcontractor for multiple certifiers, inspecting diverse organic operations ranging from papaya farms in Hawaii to coffee roasting facilities in Los Angeles. In June of 2003, Gwendolyn completed a degree in Food Science from Oregon State University with a Fermentation Science Option and a minor in Chemistry. Shortly after graduating, she went to work full time with Oregon Tilth, Inc. where she currently serves as the Processing Program Technical Specialist. In this capacity, she works with approximately 500 certified processors throughout the U.S. and internationally, assisting clients through the certification process and reviewing their operations for compliance with the National Organic Regulations. She applies her food science background and expertise to provide policy analysis and technical review of materials for use in organic products.