With COVID-19 effectively putting natural products industry conferences on hold for the foreseeable future, new ingredients, products, and manufacturing and distribution options still need to enter discussions to keep the industry advancing.
 
Organic and Natural Health Association (ONHA) will be hosting an online virtual pitch session called “The Nourish Mint” for brands, raw ingredient suppliers, distributors, and independent retailers in membership with the trade groups SENPA, INFRA (Independent Natural Food Retailers Association), Positively Natural, and MAHO (Mid-American Health Association) to network and exchange new innovations and services.
 
“Our goal with ‘The Nourish Mint’ is to engage the supply chain to pitch, inspire and acquire the innovative offerings our industry is known for,” Karen Howard, CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health, said. “Given our current situation, this unique presentation platform gives raw ingredient companies the opportunity to pitch brands and quality brands the opportunity to pitch independent retailers now. We have a responsibility to consumers to bring cutting-edge health solutions to market and ‘The Nourish Mint’ will expedite this process.”
 
The online pitch session mimics an actual pitch meeting that would typically take place in person. Presenters will have three minutes to pitch their product, and three minutes to answer questions from a panel of ‘mintors,’ all of whom are industry experts. Independent retailers and other interested companies will be in attendance. Presentations will be delivered live and members of the audience will have the opportunity to schedule private meetings with the presenting companies at a later date.
 
This event will involve people from every component of the natural products supply chain.
 
“Retailers are very interested in knowing not just about the product, but what goes into the product, where those ingredients come from and how they ultimately help the person buying it. These are important questions our retailers must answer when consumers are seeking to make purchases that involve their health,” Debra Short, executive director of SENPA, said. “Our retailers want to meet companies in person before doing business with them so ‘The Nourish Mint’ is a great opportunity for them to do that while we wait for industry conferences to resume.”
 
The first pitch sessions will take place on June 18 and 25, 4-5 p.m. ET, followed by an open social with attendees. Only 20 companies will be selected to present in the first two sessions. Interested companies can apply by sending pitch materials to [email protected], due June 2. Presentations cost $300 for ONHA members, and $500 for non-members. Panelists will include: Heather Granato, VP of Content, Informa; Alan Lewis, VP of government affairs, Natural Grocers; Andrew Halpner, VP of science and technical services, Atrium Innovations; Greg Horn, co-founder of Nutritional Capital Network and director at William Hood and Company; Debra Short, executive director, SENPA; Kantha Shelke, principle of Corvus Blue; Anthony Zolezzi, chairman and co-founder of UxHealth; and Corinne Sindelar, president emeritus, founder and former CEO, INFRA.
 
Independent retailers in good standing with the trade groups involved in the event may register for free. ONHA members may also attend for free, and non-members may attend for $150 per session. Tickets for “The Nourish Mint” can be purchased here.