From Startups to Multinationals, Regenerative Agriculture Reshapes the Food Business
By Steven Hoffman
As climate change accelerates, the food industry faces a paradox: It is both a driver of ecological degradation and a potential solution. Agriculture accounts for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it also has the capacity to sequester carbon and rebuild ecosystems. At the center of this opportunity sits regenerative agriculture – a set of practices that go beyond “sustainable” to actively rebuild soil, restore biodiversity, and promote community health and the health of local economies.
In business terms, regenerative agriculture is moving from philosophy to label. Much as “organic” transformed consumer expectations in the 1990s and early 2000s, “regenerative” is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing claims appearing on food and beverage products. Retailers, too, are beginning to carve out shelf space for regenerative brands, echoing the early days of organic.
The rise of regenerative can be attributed in great part to the fact that, according to GLOW/NielsenIQ surveys, 70% of consumers consider environmental responsibility more important than they did just two years ago, and 90% see eco-friendliness as a key decision criteria. Over 78% of consumers aged 18-24 believe the current food system is not sustainable and is a major cause of the climate crisis, reported Errol Schweizer on Sept. 22, 2025, in Forbes.
For companies across the value chain – from Roaring Fork Mill, a family-run mill working to restore heirloom grain farming in the Rocky Mountain West, to Lundberg Family Farms, which recently converted all of its organic rice production to Regenerative Organic Certified, and to multinationals including McDonald’s, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestlé, and others – adopting regenerative practices represents not just climate responsibility, but it also gives them a competitive edge in a changing marketplace.
What Regenerative Agriculture Means
The concept of regeneration is not new. Farmers and Indigenous communities have practiced soil-restoring methods — such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and integrated livestock management — for centuries. What distinguishes modern regenerative agriculture, as coined by Robert Rodale in the late 1970s, is its intentional framing as a climate strategy, ecosystem rebuilder, and market driver.
At its core, regenerative agriculture refers to farming and grazing practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, and strengthen the resilience of agricultural regions. These practices, which vary according to crop, climate, and ecosystem, are helping to rebuild soils, sequester carbon, and revitalize farming communities. While not all regenerative standards are based on organic principles, many proponents argue that organic remains a baseline for regenerative practices.
The Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard, launched by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) in 2017, represents the most rigorous framework for these practices worldwide. Unlike other regenerative programs, ROC prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which the organization asserts contribute to the climate crisis. ROC certification includes requirements for practices that respect animal welfare and promote social fairness.
The results are becoming measurable. According to industry data released by ROA in September 2025, ROC practices now span nearly 20 million acres across 46 countries, involving more than 67,000 smallholder farms and 320 participating brands.
From Niche to Mainstream: Market Momentum
Consumer demand is pushing regenerative agriculture into the mainstream. Products carrying the ROC label have grown 45% year-to-date, with retail sales up $20 million, representing a 24% jump over the previous year, according to ROA. Such growth is remarkable given that regenerative certification is relatively new, and it demonstrates that consumer appetite for climate-friendly products extends beyond niche markets, according to the organization.
Several pioneering brands working with the Regenerative Organic Alliance illustrate how regenerative claims are translating into market share:
- Dr. Bronner’s, the natural soap leader, has worked with more than 18,000 smallholder farmers to convert 52,000 acres to ROC standards.
- Lundberg Family Farms, known for its California-grown rice, has transitioned all of the organic rice it grows to ROC. The company reports that 65% of its consumers actively seek ROC products, creating clear market differentiation.
- Applegate, a leader in organic meats, converted 100% of the beef in its organic hot dogs to ROC in 2025, touching nearly 10 million acres, the company claims. Label research found that adding the regenerative claim increased purchase consideration significantly among hot dog buyers, a signal to CPG marketers that the regenerative label stands out in crowded categories.
- Gallant International, a private-label textiles company, has grown its farmer network from 700 to 1,250 in just three years to meet demand for ROC cotton.
- Patagonia continues to invest in regenerative supply chains through its clothing and also via its food division, Patagonia Provisions, and also through its membership in coalitions such as One Planet Business for Biodiversity.
“Regenerative organic farming practices can draw down carbon instead of releasing it, enhance ecosystem biodiversity instead of degrading it, and increase nutrient density instead of depleting it,” said Lundberg Family Farms CEO Craig Stevenson. “People say it can’t be done at scale, but we’re bringing ROC rice to every category of our portfolio, showing that when farmers commit to regeneration, the result is healthier food, stronger ecosystems, and real progress in the fight against climate change.”
The Multinational Pivot
While smaller players often lead the way, the sheer scale of agriculture requires buy-in from multinational corporations. In recent years, some of the world’s largest food companies have made highly publicized commitments to regenerative agriculture:
- General Mills pledged to advance regenerative practices across one million acres by 2030. Five years in, progress reports show that farmers are seeing improved soil health and reduced input costs, though scaling challenges remain.
- PepsiCo launched regenerative potato farming initiatives in Latin America, tying regenerative practices to the sustainability of its Lay’s and Sabritas brands. The company is also part of the Step Up for Agriculture Initiative, a collaboration with major retailers and other food and beverage companies to scale regenerative agriculture through locally tailored support systems.
- McDonald’s announced a $200 million investment in regenerative practices in 2025, targeting beef, potato, and dairy supply chains.
- Nestlé has embedded regenerative agriculture into its cocoa sourcing strategy, linking it to deforestation reduction goals.
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in September 2025 released its third annual report, which announced that in 2024 the company engaged more than 5 million acres in advancing regenerative agriculture practices.
- Mondelez International announced in May 2025 a “new wave of impact-first investments,” including an investment in eAgronom, an ag-tech company supporting the transition to regenerative agriculture to improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions, and “enhance financial resilience through sustainable practices.”
Collectively, these companies signal that regenerative agriculture is no longer a fringe concept but an integral part of corporate climate strategy. By joining efforts such as the Step Up for Agriculture Initiative and One Planet Business for Biodiversity, they also acknowledge that collaborative approaches are needed to scale regenerative systems globally.
Certifications and Standards: Who Defines “Regenerative?”
As regenerative agriculture has gained traction, the number of new product entries with regenerative claims on the label has surged across categories. Yet, as the USDA has not regulated any standard for regenerative agriculture, questions of definition, standards, and credibility remain, leading to the emergence of a number of regenerative certification seals, creating both momentum and some confusion.
Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market allows four regenerative agriculture certifications to appear on front-of-package claims in its stores: Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), Certified Regenified, Certified Regenerative by A Greener World, and Ecological Outcome Verified by Land to Market (see below). The retailer does not recognize organic as the only baseline standard for regenerative practices, which is one reason it accepts more certifications than just ROC, the Observer reported.
For business leaders, however, the takeaway is clear: certification matters. Manufacturers may complain about the need for a parade of seals across the front panel of a food package, yet it comes down to the fact that consumers (and investors) increasingly demand third-party verification to avoid “greenwashing” and to ensure label claims such as “fair trade” or “gluten free” are true. The same applies to regenerative agriculture claims made on a product label.
According to Ken Roseboro, reporting in February 2025 in The Organic & Non-GMO Report, demand for regenerative certification has been overwhelming. Today, several certification programs provide frameworks for brands and farmers:
- Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC): Overseen by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, the ROC seal is widely considered the gold standard because it integrates soil health, organic farming practices, animal welfare, and social fairness. According to a SPINS report published in August 2025, ROC products saw a 22% year-over-year increase in buyers, making it one of the fastest growing certifications in the country.
- Regenified certifies producers, brands, and supply partners committed to the adoption of regenerative agriculture, offering a seal to place on the label of certified products to signal to consumers that the product comes from a farm that is putting regenerative principles into action.
- Land to Market, created by the Savory Institute, works to connect brands with raw materials that come from verified regenerative land bases. The program verifies regenerative outcomes using ecological monitoring rather than prescriptive practices. Founded by Allan Savory, the program focuses primarily on livestock.
- A Greener World has established a set of standards for its Certified Regenerative program, which the organization says offers supply chain assurance for brands, processors, distributors, and others who want to assure customers of transparency.
- Soil & Climate Initiative, developed by Green America, offers a whole-systems, farm-to-shelf regenerative agriculture program with options for third-party verification.
- Rainforest Alliance in September 2025 announced the launch of a new regenerative agriculture standard, certification program, and seal for coffee, expected to appear on consumer coffee bags in 2026.
Investor Interest in Regenerative Food Systems
Behind the consumer-facing story lies another trend: a surge of capital into regenerative food and agriculture. Impact investors, venture capitalists, and blended-finance funds are betting on regeneration as both a climate solution and a growth opportunity. For investors, regenerative agriculture represents an unusual convergence, offering measurable environmental impact alongside competitive financial returns, especially as consumer demand continues to climb.
As an investment category, regenerative food and agriculture systems raised $1.17 billion in funding in the first quarter of 2025, according to data released in April 2025 by the Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) group. RFSI, which hosts the annual Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum, reports that almost half (46%) of all deals in Q1 2025 came from venture capital investment.
Recent investment highlights in regenerative food and agriculture include:
- Mad Capital, the investment arm created by leading consultancy Mad Agriculture dedicated to scaling regenerative agriculture systems, announced in September 2025 that it had closed a $78 million oversubscribed Perennial Fund II to finance regenerative organic food and agriculture.
- DiversiFund, launched in 2025 by an affiliate of Transformational Investing in Food Systems, introduced a new pooled-financing model for regenerative food systems, aiming for $100 million in capital commitments in 2026.
- TransCap Initiative, with financial support from the Walton Family Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, along with 20 leading investors, funders and farming organizations, announced in June 2025 that they were joining forces to design innovative financial infrastructure to align capital flows to accelerate regenerative agricultural production in the U.S. Midwest.
- Mirova, a French impact investment firm that manages more than $34 billion in assets, is financing a portfolio of 12 regenerative agriculture projects across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, focusing on crops such as cacao, citrus, coffee, nuts, and botanical ingredients. One project currently underway in Morocco is converting conventional citrus orchards to regenerative organic practices. The World Economic Forum in September 2025 called on the global food industry to “embrace regenerative agriculture now.”
- Zintinus, a German investment firm managing $175 million, projects that regenerative agriculture will be a key part of a $4.5 trillion business opportunity in 2030 associated with 10 “critical transitions,” including organic foods, diversifying protein, reducing food waste, restoring ecosystems and promoting resilient rural economies.
What’s Next?
Despite momentum, regenerative agriculture still faces critical challenges, such as scaling. Can regenerative methods be deployed across millions of acres quickly enough to make a dent in climate change? Can carbon sequestration from such farming practices be quantified? With multiple certification programs, how will the industry ensure consistent, credible standards and metrics? For farmers, transitioning to regenerative practices often requires upfront costs and new knowledge. Without financial support and assistance, many farmers will struggle to make the leap.
For consumers, while “organic” is now widely understood, “regenerative” is still emerging in the lexicon. Brands must invest in storytelling and education to connect the regenerative label to tangible benefits.
To address this, ROA announced in September 2025 that it has partnered with food tech company Edacious on a four-year study to test the nutritional makeup of Regenerative Organic Certified foods and to drive further awareness of the health benefits of ROC products. ROA and Edacious will analyze more than 200 food products bearing the ROC seal. “With Edacious and the Regenerative Organic Alliance, this data becomes more than numbers: it becomes a story about how regenerative organic systems deliver measurable nutritional benefits,” Eric Smith, CEO of Edacious, told AgFunderNews.
For producers, practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping and rotational grazing are presented as effective solutions to restore soil organic carbon and improve soil health, ultimately increasing farm profitability and resilience against climate change. But how do you measure that? Researchers from the Soil Health Institute, University of Vermont Agricultural Research Service, the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, Agoro and elsewhere are currently addressing that question by developing tools and methods to measure and quantify carbon sequestration in regenerative soils – key data for farmers, agriculturalists, climate change experts, policymakers and others.
The rise of the regenerative label reflects more than a marketing trend — it signals a strategic pivot for an industry under pressure from climate change, shifting consumer values, and investor scrutiny. For small brands, regeneration offers differentiation and authenticity. For multinationals, it represents risk management and brand relevance. For investors, it provides a rare dual return: financial performance and measurable climate impact. Much as the organic label reshaped food markets over the last 30 years, regenerative is poised to redefine them in the decades ahead. The question is no longer whether regenerative agriculture can scale, but how quickly — and who will lead the transition.
Momentum is building. As Christopher Gergen, CEO of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, noted, “Nearly 20 million acres are already under regenerative organic management, and with accelerating adoption rates and growing consumer demand creating clear market incentives, the movement is shifting from an emerging practice to a mainstream business and climate strategy.”
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.
Giving Season: 23 Nonprofits to Support in 2023
Giving Season: 23 Nonprofits to Support in 2023
December 9, 2022
This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s December 2022 industry newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
With a common mission of providing healthful, eco-friendly and socially responsible products to consumers, natural and organic products companies often have philanthropy engrained as part of their brand’s DNA. Given that, the industry is well positioned to play a lead role in helping society address many of the problems facing the world today.
The month of December, with its focus on family, community and giving, presents an opportunity to highlight some of the nonprofit organizations that work with leaders in the natural products sector to help solve some of the pressing issues of our time. There are many organizations doing great work — below find a list of 23 organizations this writer has interacted with in some capacity over the years and identified as potentially worthy of your awareness, consideration and support in the coming year.
This list is divided into four categories: Climate & Environment; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Food & Agriculture; and Nutrition & Health. Perhaps one or more of these organizations will resonate with you this season of giving and throughout the year.
We know there are many nonprofit and related organizations doing important work that rely on contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations — please forgive us if we didn’t include your favorite nonprofit this time around. However, if you let us know, there’s a chance we can include it next year. We’d love to hear from you.
Happy holidays and all the best for the New Year.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Compass Natural serves in PR and programming for NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo, and Hoffman serves as Editor of the weekly Let’s Talk Hemp Newsletter, published by We are for Better Alternatives. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a global network of individuals and businesses that, to date, has donated more than $350 million to support environmental nonprofits around the globe. A number of natural products companies have aligned with 1% for the Planet, and many express their support by placing the organization’s logo on their product packaging. This past year, the organization launched the 1% for the Planet Impact Fund at National Philanthropic Trust to drive climate impact. https://onepercentfortheplanet.org
Carbon Underground
Founded in 2013 by CPG and natural products veterans Tom Newmark and Larry Kopald, the Carbon Underground’s goals are to coalesce the emerging science on the soil’s relationship to climate change, and to tell the world about a possibility to not simply slow down the threat of climate change, but to reverse it. The organization advances ways to draw down legacy carbon from the atmosphere and promotes regenerative agriculture as a tool to mitigate climate change. https://thecarbonunderground.org
Climate Collaborative
A project of One Step Closer, the Climate Collaborative’s mission is dedicated to “leveraging the power of the natural products industry to reverse climate change.” The organization recently released a four-part webinar series, Climate Action Guidance for Business. Also, the Climate Collaborative’s annual Tracking Progress Update assesses how companies are progressing on their climate action commitments. https://www.climatecollaborative.com
Environmental Working Group
Working to protect consumers, the Environmental Working Group takes the lead in shining a “spotlight on outdated legislation, harmful agricultural practices and industry loopholes that pose a risk to our health and the health of our environment,” encouraging industries to adopt safer practices and educating consumers with actionable information. EWG recently released a report on forever chemicals in pet food bags and in baby textiles, plus a report on how “multitasking” preservatives might help make cosmetics safer, plus the organization works to keep cancer-causing chemicals out of everyday consumer products. https://www.ewg.org
Natural Capitalism Solutions
Founded by renowned environmentalist and author Hunter Lovins, Natural Capitalism Solutions is dedicated to building an economy in service to life through education, innovative solutions, and youth empowerment. The organization works with companies, communities and countries to help offset and reduce carbon emissions and to implement more regenerative practices profitably. https://natcapsolutions.org
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute
With Akiing — an Indigenous organization dedicated to restoring sacred landscapes, community wealth and resilience — serving as its fiscal sponsor, the nonprofit Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute was founded by Native American leader, water protector, and former candidate for Vice President of the United States Winona LaDuke. The organization’s work includes educating youth about Indigenous, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture practices, restoring agro-biodiversity and food sovereignty, advancing traditional methodologies, and supporting research into hemp fiber production to benefit local economies. http://anishinaabeagriculture.org
Her Many Voices Foundation
Through environmental, cultural and community projects, Her Many Voices brings a diverse group of artists, humanitarian leaders and businesses together to help solve problems for the betterment of women, children and “our Mother Earth.” Her Many Voices was founded by Native American leader Alicia Fall, a former TEDx presenter and recipient of the New York State Assembly Citation Award. Through Alicia and her team’s work in education, inclusivity and collaboration, the organization is also dedicated to supporting farmers and is currently planning events for Earth Day 2023. https://www.hermanyvoices.org
J.E.D.I. Collaborative
Launched in April 2020, the mission of the J.E.D.I. Collaborative is to help create a natural products industry “that centers at its core justice, equity, diversity and inclusion” with systems-level solutions. According to a Natural and Organic Industry Benchmarking Survey conducted in late 2019 by the J.E.D.I Collaborative and New Hope Network, “only 2% of leadership positions within our industry companies and on company boards are occupied by black professionals. The situation isn’t better for Latinx professionals, who hold 2% of company board positions and 6% of company leadership roles within the U.S. natural products industry.” Women also represent only 23% of board seats for companies with more than 50 employees, according to the J.E.D.I. Collaborative, a project of One Step Closer. https://jedicollaborative.com
Naturally Network
Inspired by Naturally Boulder, a public-private partnership founded in 2005 to promote entrepreneurship in natural, organic, and sustainable products in Colorado, the Naturally Network has grown to become a national organization with nine independent chapters, including Naturally Austin, Naturally Bay Area, Naturally Boulder, Naturally Chicago, Naturally Los Angeles, Naturally Minnesota, Naturally New York, Naturally North Bay and Naturally San Diego. Linking emerging businesses and brands with seasoned veterans and mentors in natural and organic products, Naturally Network offers business education, resources for entrepreneurs, mentorship and diversity programs, and ongoing regional and national networking and event opportunities. As former Chair and Board Member of Naturally Boulder, this writer can’t recommend enough to individuals in the natural channel to get involved in the Naturally Network or one of the above mentioned regional chapters. https://www.naturallynetwork.org
Project Potluck
Breaking into the natural and organic products industry isn’t easy for anyone, and it’s especially challenging for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to attract investors, find the right co-packers, refine recipes, and garner placement on retail shelves. Enter Project Potluck, established by Ibraheem Bashir, CPG veteran and founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a leading Black-owned natural food brand, to provide the support that minority entrepreneurs in the natural products space need to succeed. In March 2022, Project Potluck won New Hope Network’s inaugural Justice Award for its efforts promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the natural and organic products industry, and the organization was recently featured in Forbes Magazine. https://www.potluckcpg.org
Wild Animal Sanctuary
Including animal welfare on this list, one of this writer’s personal favorites is the Wild Animal Sanctuary. Based an hour east of Denver in Keenesburg, CO, on nearly 700 acres, the organization rescues and provides a home to more than 350 large animals including lions, tigers, bears and wolves, many of which were rescued from abusive environments. Want to know where all those animals from the TV show Tiger King ended up? The Wild Animal Sanctuary saved more than 100 of them, providing sanctuary at its large, open-space environment where visitors can view the animals from elevated walkways and decks overlooking this fenced-in “Serengeti of the West.” The organization also recently saved the lives of 11 African lions that were located in an active war zone in Ukraine. The sanctuary welcomes visitors and your support. https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Kiss the Ground
With a passionate, committed and growing community inspired by Kiss the Ground: the Movie, a full-length documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson that sheds light on a “new, old approach” to farming called regenerative agriculture, Kiss the Ground was founded in 2013 to educate about and advance a system of agriculture and food production that rebuilds our soils and water resources, sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and feeds the world. Kiss the Ground’s mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration and inspire participation through storytelling, education, and advocacy. https://kisstheground.com
Regenerative Organic Alliance
The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) comprises a group of experts in farming, ranching, soil health, animal welfare and farmer and worker fairness. Founded by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, other members of the alliance include Compassion in World Farming, Fair World Project, and the Textile Exchange. The ROA was established to continuously review and update the Regenerative Organic Certified® framework, a recently introduced certification program for food, fiber, and personal care ingredients that represents the “highest standard” for organic agriculture in the world, with stringent requirements for soil health, animal welfare and social fairness. https://regenorganic.org
Regeneration International
With a vision to collaborate with consumers, educators, business leaders and policy makers, Regeneration International’s mission is to work with multiple stakeholders in key regions around the world to promote, facilitate and accelerate the global transition to regenerative food, farming and land management for the purpose of cooling the planet, restoring climate stability, ending world hunger and rebuilding deteriorated social, ecological and economic systems. Regeneration International, which offers a number of resources for those interested in regenerative organic agriculture and climate change, is a project of the Organic Consumers Association. https://regenerationinternational.org
Regenerative Rising
With events including Women Leading Regeneration and the Regenerative Earth Summit, plus an ongoing podcast series, Regenerative Rising is dedicated to elevating and forwarding regenerative principles that expand a living systems worldview. The organization engages leaders in agriculture, business, and finance to elevate stories of regeneration and innovation to activate urgent and necessary change in business strategy, public policy and personal decision-making that serves the long term health and betterment of people and the Earth. https://regenerativerising.org
The Rodale Institute
Celebrating 75 years of organic leadership, the “OG” of organic agriculture and research, The Rodale Institute remains on the vanguard of science and best practices in advancing organic and regenerative agriculture. The Rodale Institute’s main office is located on a 386-acre organic research and education farm in eastern Pennsylvania that investigates a number of organic crops and rotations, including hemp, and also the value of animal husbandry in regenerative agriculture. In September 2022, General Mills announced it would donate the Cascadian Farm home farm in Skagit County, WA, to the institute, bringing the total number of Rodale Institute research campuses to 12. The organization also recently partnered with Colorado-based nonprofit Mad Agriculture to help farmers transition to organic and regenerative organic farming methods. The Rodale Institute was originally founded in 1947 as the Soil and Health Foundation by Rodale Press founder J.I. Rodale. https://rodaleinstitute.org
NUTRITION & HEALTH
American Botanical Council
Founded in 1986 and based in Austin, TX, the mission of the American Botanical Council (ABC) is to help people live healthier lives through the responsible use of herbal medicine. ABC is an independent, nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to providing science-based, accurate and reliable information for consumers, healthcare practitioners, researchers, educators, industry, and the media about the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plants. Through monographs, a comprehensive library, its newsletter, HerbalGram, and more, the American Botanical Council is a vital resource for advocates and makers of herbal-based products, from tinctures and topicals to functional foods and personal care products. https://www.herbalgram.org
Chef Ann Foundation
The Chef Ann Foundation is dedicated to promoting whole ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. Scratch cooking enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well nourished and ready to learn. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation works with both public and private schools in all 50 states. Founded in 2009 by “the Renegade Lunch Lady,” Chef Ann Cooper — an internationally recognized author, chef, educator, public speaker, and advocate of healthy food for all children — the foundation reports it has helped more than 13,500 schools and 3.3 million kids eat healthier, fresher school meals. https://www.chefannfoundation.org
Conscious Alliance
With the slogan “Art that Feeds,” Conscious Alliance partners with food makers, musicians, artists, and music lovers to empower youth and end hunger in underserved communities. Working with top recording artists and bands, concert-goers, food donors and supporters, many of which are natural food brands, the alliance organizes major food drives at concerts and music festivals nationwide to deliver food directly to economically isolated communities in need, including Native American reservations and rural areas, such as the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. https://consciousalliance.org
Feeding America
As a leading national network of food banks, Feeding America is seeing a spike in demand among its member network of food banks and food pantries amid rising food prices. According to Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, an estimated 53 million or more people in the U.S. are currently food insecure. The organization also is seeing a decrease in donated food and a decrease in federal commodities, meaning member food banks are having to buy more food at a time when food costs are high. “…if I could break down whom it is that comes to us in need of help, as a rule, we’re talking about children. A huge portion of those who are counting on us and the work that we do would be kids, the elderly, people with disabilities,” said Babineaux-Fontenot in an interview with NPR. https://www.feedingamerica.org
The Organic Center
The Organic Center, based in Washington, D.C., is an independent non-profit educational and research organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association. Founded in 2002 with a mission to conduct, convene and disseminate credible, evidence-based science on the environmental and health effects of organic food and farming, and to communicate those findings to the public, The Organic Center collaborates with academic and governmental institutions to advance research. The Organic Center is the organic products industry’s leading research and education organization advocating for the nutritional, health, environmental and climate mitigating benefits of organic food production. https://www.organic-center.org
Vitamin Angels
Founded in 1994 by natural products industry veteran Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels is a public health nonprofit organization working to improve nutrition and health outcomes in low-resource settings worldwide. The organization helps to strengthen, extend, and amplify the impact of partner organizations working to reach the most nutritionally vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants, and children who are underserved by existing systems with evidence-based nutrition interventions and health services. Vitamin Angels works with more than 1,200 local organizations, including governments, to reach more than 70 million women and children in 65 countries annually. https://www.vitaminangels.org
Whole Planet Foundation
Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that funds poverty alleviation worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit’s mission is to empower the world’s poorest people with micro-credit and the chance to create or expand a home-based or small business to help lift themselves and their families out of poverty. As of June 2022, Whole Planet Foundation is helping to alleviate poverty through micro-finance partners in the U.S. and 79 other countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. To date, the nonprofit reports it has disbursed $101 million through micro-lending partners worldwide, funding 6 million micro-loans and 30 million opportunities for a better life for micro-entrepreneurs and their family members. https://wholeplanetfoundation.org
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