In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share a new case study featuring a company that is part of the UNFI Climate Action Partnership. Organic Valley, the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative, is on a mission to save, serve, and safeguard small organic family farms. The brand's products are ethically sourced: They are raised on organic farms where families manage the daily care of the animals and the earth. These farms adhere to the USDA National Organic Program and the cooperative's high standards, which are designed to promote the principles of organic agriculture. These principles include respect for the dignity and interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil, and global life. Founded in 1988, the cooperative is now owned by over 1,600 organic family farms. 

In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share a new case study featuring a company that is part of the UNFI Climate Action Partnership. Lundberg Family Farms is dedicated to growing the highest quality rice using organic and regenerative farming practices. For generations, the family has been driven by the belief that the health of our bodies and our planet depends on how we steward the land. This commitment traces back to 1937 when Albert and Frances Lundberg left Nebraska because of the Dust Bowl. This environmental disaster, caused by the drought and destructive farming practices, prompted them to move to California with their four sons-Eldon, Wendell, Harlan, and Homer-a flatbed Chevy truck, a Farmall tractor, and a new philosophy: "Leave the land better than you found it."

In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share three case studies focused on the forest action efforts of Nature's Path, Traditional Medicinals, and Tony's Chocolonely. Nature’s Path Organic Foods is a leading triple-bottom-line organic food company recognized for its pioneering work in addressing climate change. The organization’s accomplishments include addressing climate change through the use of organic certification for all raw material ingredients, investments in farmers to promote and accelerate the adoption of regenerative organic agriculture, achieving zero waste, and the adoption of impactful water preservation measures. Ratana and Arran Stephens, Nature’s Path Organic Foods Co-Founders, outline the ethos of the company as follows, “at Nature’s Path Organic Foods, our purpose is to always leave the Earth better than we found it.” Nature’s Path Organic Foods Sustainable Purchasing Policy, against which all vendors are vetted, ensures that products and services purchased or contracted conform to this broader purpose.

In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share three case studies focused on the forest action efforts of Nature's Path, Traditional Medicinals, and Tony's Chocolonely. Tony’s Chocolonely was born when Teun van de Keuken realized that forced labor and illegal child
labor still existed in the cocoa industry. Passionate about social and environmental issues in the supply chain from the start, Tony’s made a conscious decision to focus on preventing deforestation on the farms where they source cocoa. “We’re using 5 sourcing principles (fully traceable beans, paying a higher price, working with strong farmers, long-term contracts and increasing productivity & quality) to make all chocolate 100% exploitation free. We want to inspire other companies to do the same, as this is the best way to solve problems in cocoa including deforestation.”

In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share three case studies focused on the forest action efforts of Nature's Path, Traditional Medicinals, and Tony's Chocolonely. Traditional Medicinals® is a botanical wellness company known for its commitment to promoting sustainable practices and preserving forests and biodiversity. The ethos of Traditional Medicinals (TM) is summed up in the following statement: “We are not just in the business of tea. We are in the business of change—changing lives, changing communities, and changing the quality of herbal remedies.” Sustainable sourcing is at the heart of this ethos. By sourcing its ingredients responsibly, engaging in forest preservation efforts, and supporting local communities, TM established itself as a leader in promoting wild collection and biodiversity.

Creating a food system that works in support of the climate and our communities necessitates that we address the massive amount of food waste that is currently being produced. The Climate Collaborative is excited to share the following resources to help accelerate our food waste commitment.

In partnership with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Climate Collaborative is thrilled to share three case studies focused on the forest action efforts of Nature's Path, Traditional Medicinals, and Tony's Chocolonely. UNFI and the Climate Collaborative are deeply committed to accelerating the efforts of the grocery industry to stop deforestation and forest degradation, and to support reforestation efforts. According to the IPCC, “reducing deforestation and forest degradation rates represents one of the most effective and robust options for climate change mitigation, with large mitigation benefits globally.” Forests and climate change are deeply connected, as forest loss and degradation are both a cause and effect of climate change.

"Our hope is to inspire and inform company action by sharing the pioneering work of Nature's Path, Traditional Medicinals, and Tony's Chocolonely in support of forests and the communities that depend on them. Eliminating deforestation and forest degradation is absolutely critical in our fight against climate change" says Courtney Pineau, Executive Director of the Climate Collaborative.

Last year, The Climate Collaborative and Trayak partnered to offer three Climate Collaborative committed companies to work with Trayak to improve the climate impacts of their packaging. We're now thrilled to be able to share the case studies from these projects, assessing efforts at Bhoomi, Boulder Organic Foods, and Theo Chocolate to optimize their packaging. 

You can download a version of this case study here.

Bhoomi’s cane water is a healthy functional beverage; its name means “Mother Earth” in Sanskrit. The cold-pressed sugarcane juice (cane water) is a Low Glycemic Certified beverage and Paleo friendly. Their mission is to revolutionize the relationship with sugarcane in Western culture by promoting its Ayurvedic health benefits, partnering with minority farmers, and working for radical positive environmental impact. Bhoomi has worked with their suppliers to ensure the bagasse (sugarcane fiber) produced from cane water production is composted. Bhoomi also sources their business cards, sample cups, and sell sheets from sugarcane fiber. Bhoomi is continuing their sugarcane revolution by switching packaging to utilize sugarcane-based bio HDPE instead of their current PET bottle to be a 100% plant based bottle beverage. 

You can download the case study here. 

Theo Chocolate is an enthusiastic and mission driven brand integrating sustainability into every aspect of their company. They are making life sweeter far beyond their chocolate by investing in the lives of their cocoa farmers in Peru and Eastern Congo. Theo Chocolate sets high standards for social and environmental responsibility— that is why all of their ingredients are third party verified. Theo Chocolate is fair trade certified, USDA Organic, STAR-K Kosher certified, and does not use GMOs in their products. Now they are pushing the bar even higher—Theo Chocolate is working towards bringing their products to market in 100% plant-based packaging.