In our Speaker Spotlight series, get to know our speakers before you see them. Find out what trends they predict this year, who they admire in the industry, and why you should attend their session at Natural & Organic Products Europe in April.
What one person or business in the natural & organic industry do you really admire and why?
I recently listened to a Joe Roegan podcast with Will Harris of White Oak Pastures who explains clearly his devotion to regenerative agriculture and good land stewardship. Hearing people like him pushing transparency, ecological sustainability, and local development far ahead of the industry is incredible motivating to do better at KAAPA.
What do you see as key trends for natural & organic in the coming year?
2021 – 2022 brought many new customers into the food supplement industry looking to fight off our global pandemic. This gave rise to people learning about organic food supplements and their own immune systems. I believe now to keep these customers in our industry, companies need to do a better job at explaining the health benefits organic products, the transparency of where our ingredients come from, and build deeper trust and relationships with our stakeholders.
These industry trade fairs are crucial to learn about industry trends and share best practices. When I spend 2 days at the event its worth 2 months in the office.
Can you give us an example of what your business is doing to become even more sustainable
At KAAPA we are almost a completely vertically integrated organic food supplement business. We use local raw materials to massively cut down on transportation waste and CO2 exhausts. Our products are from Finland to ensure they are more sustainable, and higher quality.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role and the most challenging?
Everytime I can sit down with some customers, it feeds me energy. I love hearing how our products make the world a better place for our customers. This is of course challenging as well, but to take back their thoughts and incorporate them into our marketing and product development is extremely rewarding.
How important is Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show to the you/industry?
These industry trade fairs are crucial to learn about industry trends and share best practices. When I spend 2 days at the event its worth 2 months in the office.
Why should visitors attend your session at the show?
Everyone has now heard of functional mushrooms. They are the 2nd fastest growing trend in food supplements / functional food in the US market. Come learn more in depth knowledge about how to make this huge trend applicable to your business.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given.
A wise woman once said – “To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple.” – Arundhati Roy
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I biked from San Fransisco to New York city during one summer in my youth. Was an amazing adventure through humanity.
See Eric Puro’s session ‘Health trend spotlight: “Shroom me up” – this rise of the functional mushrooms‘ Register for a trade ticket here.
The post Speaker Spotlight: Eric Puro – KÄÄPÄ Biotech appeared first on Natural Products Europe.