A group of Oregon companies, business associations, and academic institutions today announced the formation of the Oregon Transparency Initiative (OTI), a public-private collaboration created to boost the transparency of Oregon’s supply chains. The group will initially focus on Oregon’s food and beverage industry before expanding to other sectors of the economy.

The initiative is an outgrowth of the Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio (OEBVS), and launched by Oregon-based company, The Provenance Chain Network. Founding members and supporters include:

• A to Z Wineworks
• BitCork
• Brew Dr.
• Country Natural Beef
• Dutch Bros.
• Ninkasi Brewing Company
• Oregon Fruit Company
• Tillamook
• Yoshida Foods International

Each of these companies has committed to engage their supplier networks to share more information about how and where things are sourced and made; In short, to make their operations more transparent.

"As an agricultural cooperative, our nearly 80 farmer-owners provide the milk which makes our dairy products, so we know firsthand the value of engaging with our suppliers," said Patrick Criteser, President and CEO of the Tillamook County Creamery Association. "The Oregon Transparency Initiative will help Oregon businesses drive toward more responsible sourcing practices and will establish Oregon’s food and beverage community as the most transparent in the world."

“We're proud to be the first winery to join the Oregon Transparency Initiative and track the provenance and progression of our wine from grape to glass. This level of transparency is a natural extension for us as Oregon's first B Corp certified winery, and we're grateful for the opportunity to partner with a group dedicated to doing the right thing,” said Sam Tannahill, founder of A to Z Wineworks.

Oregon academia has also stepped forward to support the Oregon Transparency Initiative. Portland State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon have all pledged to support the effort. The initiative is also supported by Business Oregon, All The Farms and the Technology Association of Oregon.

Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio (OEBVS)

Designed to drive blockchain-led innovation, cross-industry, the Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio is a state-sponsored, public-private collaboration focused on developing startup-led products, services, and tools that can help Studio partners realize the full potential of blockchain technologies — from decentralized, organizational constructs to new ways of using data to drive business. OEBVS is based in Portland, Oregon where it seeks to make Oregon a global center of excellence for blockchain-based companies.

Provenance Chain™ Network

The Provenance Chain™ Network, based in Portland, Oregon, offers a breakthrough, multi-industry transparency solution that embraces open standards and uses a unique system of requirements, incentives, claims and evidence to bring significant benefit to brand owners, consumers, regulators, retailers, and the economy.