MONTEREY, CA - Plant-based and vegetarian lifestyles continue to gain popularity among consumers, and world-class athletes are making this the diet of choice over protein-based diets. The Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2023 is striking while the iron is hot with a special two-hour educational session touting the benefits of this trend. “Powered by Plants: How World-Class Athletes Are Changing the Way We Eat” will explore how athletes have switched to plant-based diets and the positive benefits they have seen in their performance, health, and quality of life as a result.

The session will be moderated by American cyclist and Olympic medalist Dotsie Bausch and will feature a star-studded lineup of plant-based advocates detailing how their plant-based diets improve their performance by decreasing weight, creating leaner bodies, improving stamina, protecting immunity, and preventing excess inflammation.

“For 35 years of my life, I ate a typical diet of animal foods, but when I made the switch to plant-based eating just two years before I won the Olympic silver medal in cycling, I was astounded at the effects it had on my performance. My inflammation dramatically decreased, which led to my recovery time accelerating; my strength improved, and my endurance and energy expanded way beyond what I even thought possible,” Bausch said. “Our ed session panel looks forward to talking with leaders of the fresh produce industry on the value of plant-based foods and how to engage with consumers with important messaging opportunities on the benefits of plant-based and vegetarian diets.”

Since concluding a prolific professional cycling career that produced a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games, eight U.S. national championships, two Pan American gold medals, and a world record, Bausch has become a powerful influencer for plant-based eating for athletes and non-athletes alike.

According to the release, panelists will include:

• Robert Cheeke, champion bodybuilder and New York Times bestselling author of Plant-Based Athlete
• Derrick Morgan, former National Football League linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
• Ella Magers, renowned coach and fitness expert
• Dr. Jim Loomis, Medical Director at the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, DC, and former team internist of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team
• Jason Wrobel, a world-renowned leader in organic raw vegan cuisine, culinary education, and health entertainment

Powered by Plants is an opportunity to hear from athletes and authority figures on the benefits of a plant-based diet and will offer practical messaging for OPS attendees to incorporate in their product marketing.

Organic Produce Summit 2023 is held July 12–13 in Monterey, California, and is specifically designed to bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retailers and buying organizations from across North America.

How will messaging continue to evolve as consumer trends shift? Keep an eye out for ANUK as we report.

Organic Produce Summit