CHARLOTTE, NC - Attendees of this year’s Organic Produce Summit (OPS) should be gearing up for a full tropical experience as Dole Food Company takes to the event with its organic portfolio. To get a preview of the showcase soon to hit booth #501, I spoke with Dole’s Director of Communications, William Goldfield.

What products will Dole Food Company be highlighting on the show floor this year?

“Visitors at OPS can expect to experience Dole’s leading Organic Bananas and Organic Pineapple programs and be introduced to Dole’s recent launch of our Organic Mango program. These are core categories for us that reflect both our global reach and our long-term investment in sustainable agriculture. We’ll also be sharing insights on how our vertically integrated operations ensure consistency, quality, and year-round availability for our organic partners.

"Dole has been a pioneer in organic tropical fruit. Our DOLE® Organic Bananas program began more than two decades ago. That early investment gave us deep experience in soil health, biodiversity, and ethical farming practices, which we now apply across the entire organic portfolio. What really sets us apart is the scale and expertise we bring to the table, combined with our commitment to transparency, certifications, and regenerative agriculture principles.”

How has Dole worked to expand and evolve its organic program in recent years?

“We’ve expanded both in volume and geography. Beyond the increased acreage, we’ve learned and introduced more efficient organic pest and disease management, transitioned additional farms to organic certification, and worked closely with growers to improve soil fertility and post-harvest handling for better shelf-life and taste. We see strong growth potential in organic tropicals, particularly mango, where consumer demand is rising but reliable supply chains are still maturing.”

What trends have you witnessed emerging in the organic category? How can retailers and foodservice operators meet these demands with Dole’s portfolio?

“Consumers are becoming more educated and intentional. They’re looking beyond just the organic seal to understand where and how their food is grown, who’s growing it, and its environmental impact. There’s also growing interest in climate-smart agriculture, fair labor practices, and minimal processing. We understand these principled consumers, and we’re aligning our organic programs with broader sustainability goals across Dole.

Retailers and operators can win by showcasing these organic offerings alongside conventional and telling the story behind the fruit: how it’s grown, who grows it, and why organic matters. Merchandising tropical organics together, using QR codes or signage to highlight sourcing and sustainability, can really help build loyalty. Dole can support that with marketing tools, category data, and customized programs that help our partners succeed.”

With a continuously growing program spanning three high-demand categories, Dole looks forward to connecting with attendees and discussing its organic offerings at booth #501!