PCC Official Running for NOSB Slot
Trudy Bialic, director of public affairs for Seattle-based consumer-owned and -operated natural foods retailer PCC Natural Markets (PCC), is a candidate for retailer representative on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
“Trudy speaks for the integrity of organics with an informed, consistent and balanced voice,” said Tracy Wolpert, CEO of PCC. “Her knowledge and experience are based in sound science and solid relationships with individuals and organizations essential to keeping the discussion about organics honest, open and moving forward.”
The 15-member NOSB was established under the Organics Foods Production Act of 1990 to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to the integrity and implementation of the National Organic Program. Comprising four farmers/growers, two handlers/processors, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists, one retailer, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent, board members are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to serve a five- year term. PCC’s nutrition education manager, Goldie Caughlan, served on the NOSB as a consumer representative from 2001 to 2006.
A 20-year veteran of organic retailing, Bialic has held a variety of positions during her career. She has been PCC’s director of public affairs since 2000, is editor of the “Sound Consumer,” a monthly newspaper dedicated to educating the public about food systems, sustainable agriculture, and consumer food concerns; and has testified as an expert witness on various retail food issues.
NOSB candidates will be evaluated by USDA staff, and selected appointees will be named later this year.
PCC, a certified organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $140 million and an active membership of 45,000 households, operates nine stores in the Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland, Redmond, Edmonds, and Issaquah neighborhoods of Seattle.
“Trudy speaks for the integrity of organics with an informed, consistent and balanced voice,” said Tracy Wolpert, CEO of PCC. “Her knowledge and experience are based in sound science and solid relationships with individuals and organizations essential to keeping the discussion about organics honest, open and moving forward.”
The 15-member NOSB was established under the Organics Foods Production Act of 1990 to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on matters relating to the integrity and implementation of the National Organic Program. Comprising four farmers/growers, two handlers/processors, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists, one retailer, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent, board members are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to serve a five- year term. PCC’s nutrition education manager, Goldie Caughlan, served on the NOSB as a consumer representative from 2001 to 2006.
A 20-year veteran of organic retailing, Bialic has held a variety of positions during her career. She has been PCC’s director of public affairs since 2000, is editor of the “Sound Consumer,” a monthly newspaper dedicated to educating the public about food systems, sustainable agriculture, and consumer food concerns; and has testified as an expert witness on various retail food issues.
NOSB candidates will be evaluated by USDA staff, and selected appointees will be named later this year.
PCC, a certified organic retail cooperative with annual sales of $140 million and an active membership of 45,000 households, operates nine stores in the Seward Park, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Fremont, Kirkland, Redmond, Edmonds, and Issaquah neighborhoods of Seattle.