9 Food Brands That Support Regenerative Agriculture
One of my favorite memories as a publicist working for CPG brands was promoting a pretty wonderful initiative by Annie’s Homegrown and its parent company, General Mills, which introduced me to the concept of regenerative agriculture. They pledged to “advance regenerative agricultural practices” on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030. As part of this, in 2018, Annie’s released limited-edition Mac & Cheese and Bunny Grahams made with ingredients grown using regenerative agriculture farming practices, as proof of concept. (I was able to secure coverage of the initiative on Fast Company with one of my favorite sustainability and impact writers, Adele Peters).
Since then, regenerative agriculture has gained momentum, especially after the debut of Kiss The Ground documentary on Netflix in 2019. Now, certifications are popping up to help consumers find brands that support these practices.
WHAT IS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE?
Regenerative agriculture is one method of proper land management, which helps to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil where it helps us grow healthy and nutritious food for the planet (yum!). According to the United Nations, restoring the soils of degraded ecosystems has the potential to store up to 3 billion tons of carbon annually. The land use sector represents almost 25% of total global emissions. Its rehabilitation and sustainable management is critical to combating climate change. There’s even a national day dedicated to bringing awareness to this: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17).
9 Brands practicing regenerative agriculture
One thing we can do to encourage more rapid adoption of regenerative agriculture? Vote with our dollars! Below are a list of brands committed to implementing more regenerative agriculture practices in their supply chain:
Alter Eco Chocolate - Alter Eco chocolate is boldly working to combat deforestation in the areas where their cocoa beans are sourced through a partnership with Acopagro Coop to implement agroforestry (the planting of trees in farms). They also have a foundation to expand these efforts and support local communities. Alter Eco was also one of the first companies to launch ROC (Regenerative Organic Certification) products.You can learn all about this delicious way to support regenerative agriculture on this podcast episode.
Zero Foodprint - While not one specific brand, Zero Footprint partners with restaurants around the world to help them transition to more sustainable ingredient sourcing. They help connect these restaurants with small, local and regenerative farms. They also make it easy for diners to support this mission via a tiny fee added to bills at participating restaurants - so small a diner would barely notice, but that will make a big difference in our world. You can learn more about their mission on our podcast episode with co-founder, Karen Liebowitz.
Annie’s Homegrown - One of the first brands to widely adapt organic sourcing is now one of the first to push the industry further by sourcing regeneratively farmed ingredients, which require a more holistic set of practices to help promote soil health, increase biodiversity, and pull carbon from the air
EPIC Provisions - A leader in regenerative agriculture, the company is now sourcing 100% grass fed bison as of fall 2021.
Applegate - The natural and organic meat company owned by Hormel Foods recently launched a line of grass-fed pork sausages under The New Food Collective label, which sources pork from small farms using regenerative agricultural practices
White Leaf Provisions - Attention moms and soon-to-be moms! This baby food brand was built around a commitment to healing the planet that our children will inherit.
Simple Goodness Sisters - A bartender and a farmer, sisters Belinda and Venise grow and craft these unparalleled drink syrups on a 10-acre regenerative farm in Buckley, WA. Using only whole fruit, fresh herbs & organic cane sugar, Simple Goodness Sisters’ Syrups are naturally preservative free and dye-free and enjoyed equally in drinks, cocktails, and desserts.
Farm Hounds - Spoil your dog with these natural treats! Farm Hounds works with local farmers in Atlanta to source meat that is both nutritious and delicious for your dog. The very first farm they partnered with, White Oak Pastures in Georgia, introduced them to the unique benefits of regenerative farming when creating dog treats - and how beneficial this agricultural practice is for the community, the animals and the land.
Lundberg Family Farms - Since escaping the dust bowl for more fertile, Californian soils in 1937, the Lundbergs have been growing healthier rice and quinoa products supporting practices that protect our soil, air water and wildlife. It’s all part of the Lundberg Family Farms' mission to leave the land better than they found it. Like Alter Eco, Lundberg also has ROC-certified products. Not only do they support organic and regenerative agricultural practices, but their manufacturing facility is fueled by 100% renewable solar and wind energy, and they have a partnership through Terracycle that allows all of their flexible packaging to be fully recyclable.
(Updated May 2023)
