Harvesting Wisdom: Margin, Waste and the Art of Produce
Managing a profitable produce department is no easy feat. It’s not just displaying beautiful fruits and veggies and watching them sell. Produce work moves fast. Things change by the hour, and the pace means mistakes large and small happen. The key to success? Carefully managing margin so sales make up for inevitable waste—but that’s a whole lot easier said than done.
Cheers to 30 years, Scott Kirkpatrick!
Scott’s 30-year OGC-iversary is this month! In 1995, Scott was working in the produce department at Eugene’s The Kiva Grocery and OGC co-founder Tom Lively was his Account Rep. When Tom let him know there was an opening at the Eugene warehouse, Scott applied. “I used to deliver to Scott K at the Kiva. He’s kept us laughing ever since he joined OGC 30 years ago!” says Brian Keogh, OGC Buyer. After starting in the warehouse, he was a driver for many years before settling into his current role as an Account Representative working with OGC customers in Eugene, Southern Oregon, the Oregon Coast and more.
Citrus Smarts Video Series
Harvest is in full swing and OGC is thrilled to be the Pacific Northwest's best source for all that zesty goodness. Check out our brand-new video series “Citrus Smarts” for all things citrus this season!
Creating Shared Prosperity Through Business: Meet Four of the 2026 MO 100 Top Impact CEOs
The MO 100 CEOs represent businesses from across the U.S., as well as Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Belgium. Their companies span all sizes and sectors, ranging from banking and technology to consumer and industrial products, food and agriculture, and healthcare. What unites them is the determination and fortitude to lead with mission and values in the forefront, even in the face of challenges and uncertainty.
Harvesting Wisdom: Planning for December’s Festive Feasts
December is a whirlwind of food traditions, gatherings and parties where produce often steals the show. For produce managers, the goal is clear: keep the department fresh, festive and full of flavor for every celebration.
2025 Autumn Update
In this 2025 Autumn Update, you’ll find stories that capture our mission in action and the folks behind the work.
Harvesting Wisdom: Get Thanksgiving Ready
Thanksgiving week can be the busiest of the year, so it’s important to plan and prepare. Shoppers are looking for more than just good prices – they want top-quality produce and a great selection.
Harvesting Wisdom: Make the Most of Apple Season
As fall begins, and the leaves change and the air turns crisp, take pride in offering the Northwest’s best organic apples.
Harvesting Wisdom: Make Pears Shine This Fall
Pears are one of those quintessentially Northwest treasures that make our region so special. Did you know the Northwest produces 85% of the nation's pears?
Harvesting Wisdom: Setting the Stage for Fall
As the days grow shorter and the summer heat gives way to crisp fall air, your produce department is ready for its seasonal transformation.
2025 Summer Update
Summer is in full swing at OGC, and the flavor is next-level. From dry farmed melons that save water and burst with sweetness, to successfully grafting Persian cucumbers, our Northwest farms are serving up the season's best.
We’re also celebrating the people and projects behind the produce—farmers crafting flavor, teams reducing waste (hello rescued potatoes!) and new ways we’re investing in healthier air.
Crush Summer Sales with Great Grapes
Organic grapes are a staple for retailers nearly year-round, and an item shoppers look for on their weekly visits. Understanding seasonality in this important commodity is key to maximizing sales.
Harvesting Wisdom: Unlock the Magic of Melons
Organic melons kick off their season in April/May from Mexico with a limited selection. As harvest moves north to California, two primary regions contribute: the desert offers fruit in June/July, while the Central Valley starts in early June and extends through the fall. The Northwest season begins in mid-July, peaks in early August, and concludes as the weather cools in early September. OGC wraps up the season with a limited offering from Mexico in October and November.
Gear Up for a Great Stone Fruit Season
Stone fruit season is just getting started and it is going to be a delicious one! Cherries were the first on the scene, with bright red varieties like Brooks leading the pack and Bing coming right behind.
Juicy Rewards: Cultivate Loyalty with Stone Fruit
The stone fruit category presents exciting opportunities for your department to stand out by delivering amazing quality and flavor. Sweet success is as simple as selecting the best-eating fruit, understanding seasonality, merchandising appropriately and leveraging the expertise of OGC and our organic grower partners.
Organic leader named to Oregon ag board
Mike Dill, director of advocacy and sustainability for Organically Grown Company, has been appointed to the Oregon State Board of Agriculture. The appointment was announced April 9. He will immediately begin serving a four-year term on the government body and will have an option to reapply for a second term.
Walking Our Talk: OGC’s Year in Organic Advocacy
For OGC, advocacy is a year-round commitment. From shaping policies that protect organic farmers to elevating industry champions and amplifying the benefits of organic agriculture, we work tirelessly to uphold and strengthen the integrity of the organic food system. Here’s what we championed in 2024.
Coworker Anniversary: Brian Keogh’s 30th Year at OGC
“OGC has forever changed my paradigm of thinking, and it keeps my activism going at the same time.” BK shared. “I owe a lot to OGC in many ways - my home, my family, my lifestyle, my ability to be in Eugene, and to have a healthy, prosperous, dignified job. Those are all very important to me. I love it honestly, I don't even know how else to say it.”
Organically Grown Co. Secures Legacy Citrus Supply
Organically Grown Co., a marketer and distributor of certified organic produce, says it has acquired Johansen Ranch, a historic family farm in Orland, Calif.
The company said the acquisition reflects its mission to protect organic farmland, support sustainable farming practices and secure a supply of premium organic citrus for generations to come.
OGC’s Humberto Maldonado Appointed to CCOF’s Board
Humberto Maldonado is the Safety & Compliance Manager at Organically Grown Company. He serves on the CCOF Certification Services, LLC Management Committee, the governing body for CCOF Certification Services, LLC.