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- #95 - Huge News Week Post Expo West
#95 - Huge News Week Post Expo West
A major win for regenerative agriculture & women-led business as GoodSAM’s $9M Series A funding signals strong investor confidence in sustainable food systems while marking a significant milestone for a female-founded company.
The investment enables GoodSAM to expand operations, launch new product lines, and deepen partnerships with smallholder and indigenous farmers across nine countries—cutting out middlemen to ensure fair wages and reinvestment in local communities.
Additional coverage from AgFunder News
Credit: GoodSAM Foods
Recoup Beverage, a Regenerative Organic Certified® brand, secured first place at the Expo West Pitch Slam, highlighting the growing momentum behind sustainable and ethical food and beverage companies. Runner-up Wild Orchard Tea Company also carries the ROC™ certification, further emphasizing the market shift toward regenerative products.
Founder Susan Buckwalter Hartman positioned Recoup as a hydration-focused alternative to sugary sodas, tapping into the booming functional beverage trend. Her pitch resonated with judges, securing a $30,000 prize package to accelerate brand growth.
Credit: Bryan Beasley Photography
California Olive Ranch (COR) has become the first North American olive farm to earn Certified Regenerative status from A Greener World (AGW), bringing 4,600 acres of olive trees under verified regenerative management.
As the nation’s largest producer of olives for extra virgin olive oil, COR plans to extend its regenerative certification to its 50+ family farm partners.
Credit: California Olive Ranch
Steaz Tea is undergoing a major brand transformation, reconnecting with its original mission while embracing regenerative organic agriculture. This shift includes a refreshed identity, updated packaging, and a renewed focus on sustainability through the 5P Model (Passion, Purpose, People, Planet, Prosperity).
Steaz is reformulating its beverages with Regenerative Organic Certified® ingredients, starting with green tea sourced from Wild Orchard Tea Company. The company is also committed to transitioning more ingredients—such as sugar—to regenerative sources.
Credit: Steaz Tea
The 37 NEXTY winners featured 11 brands supporting regenerative and 6 products with regenerative claims
Products with claims: Ice Cream for Bears - Honey Honey (FROZEN DESSERT), Diestel Family Ranch - Primal Blend Ground Turkey (MEAT, DAIRY OR ANIMAL-BASED PRODUCT), Belvas Belgian Chocolates - Armayari Bean Pure Origin Dark Chocolate (PEOPLE-FORWARD PRODUCT), Stoked Oats - Herby Garlic Oatrice (CERTIFIED REGENERATIVE PRODUCT), El Nacho - Ms Mango White Corn Tortilla Chips (SAVORY OR SALTY SNACK), Jovial Foods - Einkorn Pancake & Waffle Mix (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Products from brands supporting regenerative: Groundwork Coffee - Organic Cold Brew Coconut Latte (COFFEE & TEA), Rumiano Cheese Company - Pepper Jack Queso (CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCT), Kodiak Cakes - Kernza Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix (PANTRY STAPLES), Gaia Herbs - Metabolic Activator (SUPPLEMENT TRAILBLAZER), & Folkland Foods - Himalayan Pink Salt Farm Fries (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Credit: New Hope Network
Applegate has successfully transitioned 100% of its beef hot dogs to regeneratively sourced beef nine months ahead of schedule.
This transition helped convert 10.8 million acres of grasslands to certified regenerative—an 80% increase over the company’s original goal—demonstrating how large-scale food brands can drive meaningful environmental change.
Consumers can now purchase regenerative beef hot dogs at no additional cost, making high-quality, environmentally responsible meat more accessible to the mainstream market.
Credit: Applegate Farms LLC
🔥 Lil Bucks, True Grace, and Lundberg Family Farms were recognized for their leadership in regenerative organic agriculture at Expo West’s Organic Night Out, with Lil Bucks named Best Emerging Brand, True Grace winning Best Organic Non-Food Product, and Lundberg Family Farms honored as Organic Company of the Year. (LinkedIn ↗)
🌾 Simple Mills has expanded its regenerative agriculture initiatives, now reaching 4,400 farmers across 74,000 acres, while also funding research on the link between soil health and nutrition. Their latest People & Planet Impact Journal highlights investments in climate-smart practices, multi-year farmer contracts, and innovative programs like The Almond Project to enhance biodiversity and soil resilience. (Simple Mills People & Planet Impact Journal 2024 ↗)
🥃 Anytime Spritz is leading the charge in sustainable spirits with its Farmhouse Gin and Vodka, the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® spirits, supporting biodiversity with farms home to over 120 rare plant species and 80 bird species. As the alcohol industry embraces eco-labels like “Fish-Friendly” and “Bat-Friendly,” the brand is part of a growing movement recognizing that drinking, like eating, is an agricultural act. (Modern Farmer ↗)
🍟 McCain is bringing regenerative agriculture to the forefront with its "Taste Good. Feel Good." campaign, engaging consumers in the farm-to-fry journey while working toward 100% regenerative potato farming by 2030. With 71% of its farmers onboarded to its Regenerative Agriculture Framework and 24% actively engaged, McCain is making significant strides in soil health, biodiversity, and a resilient food system. (Sustainability Magazine ↗)
🤑 Kettle & Fire has secured a $43 million investment from Colter Ventures in a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the brand’s growth and expansion. CEO Brian Hack sees this investment as a key step in positioning the bone broth innovator as a multi-hundred-million-dollar platform in the health and wellness space. (Nosh ↗)
🥤 Guayakí Yerba Mate is expanding its regenerative beverage lineup with bold new flavors, including the NEXTY Award finalist Sparkling Cherry Jubilation, a refreshing take on the classic Shirley Temple. With organic, regenerative ingredients and updated formats like slim cans, Guayakí continues to make yerba mate more accessible while honoring its cultural roots and commitment to sustainability. (PR Newswire ↗)
🍷 Donum has achieved Regenerative Organic Certified® status for its iconic Savoy Vineyard in Anderson Valley, marking the certification of all five of its estate vineyards across Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. By integrating regenerative practices like cover cropping, sheep grazing, and reducing synthetic inputs, Donum is enhancing vineyard health and elevating the quality and vibrancy of its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. (Access Newswire ↗)
🥥 Big Tree Farms is bringing regenerative agriculture to the forefront with its Regenerative Organic Certified® coco aminos, sourced directly from thousands of coconut farmers in Bali. Showcased at Expo West 2025, the brand is expanding its lineup of globally inspired marinades and coconut sugar products, reinforcing its commitment to ethical sourcing, farmer relationships, and biodiversity. (Forbes ↗)
⭐️ Roots Chips, PACHA, Kalona Supernatural, Alexandre Family Farm, and Burroughs Family Farms are among the growing number of brands embracing regenerative certification as demand for verified sustainable practices surges. With consumer awareness rising and retailers like Whole Foods and Waitrose supporting regenerative sourcing, certification programs are rapidly expanding, helping to drive soil health, biodiversity, and transparency in the food system. (The Organic & Non-GMO Report ↗)
🙏 Many regenerative brands are among the inaugural 14 companies committing to the Purpose Pledge, launched by Dr. Bronner’s, One Step Closer, and LIFT Economy. Purpose Pledge is a peer-driven framework for ethical business accountability that prioritizes transparency and long-term impact with commitments spanning regenerative supply chains, fair wages, and zero waste goals. (New Hope Network ↗)
🛍️ Acosta Group research reveals that while three-quarters of shoppers recently purchased at least one natural or organic product, 40% mistakenly believe the terms mean the same thing, leading to consumer confusion and missed sales. The report highlights a growing interest in health-conscious shopping, but concerns over cost and unclear labeling continue to hinder the broader adoption of natural and organic goods. (Grocery Dive ↗)
🌿 Organic food sales are at record highs, but the industry faces challenges in 2025, including oversupply, shifting political priorities, and fraud concerns. While consumer trust in organic remains strong, the Regenerative Organic Certified® label is gaining traction, with over 2,000 ROC products now on the market and a new national campaign educating consumers on its impact. Industry leaders emphasize the need for policy support, food service expansion, and stronger fraud prevention measures to drive growth and maintain integrity in the organic sector. (Food Business News ↗)
🌟 Whipstitch Capital’s 2025 Healthy Living Update highlights the growing momentum behind regenerative agriculture as brands and investors prioritize sustainability in consumer goods. With increasing interest in regenerative certifications and soil-health-focused initiatives, the report signals a strong shift toward long-term environmental impact and resilient food systems in the investment landscape. (Whipstitch Capital ↗)
😞 Farmers enrolled in USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities program are facing uncertainty as funding freezes and contract cancellations threaten payments for conservation practices. With critical environmental reviews halted and millions in promised support at risk, thousands of farmers across the country now question whether the government will uphold its commitments to sustainable agriculture. (Civil Eats ↗)
Since today’s food system and policies promote hyper-intensive mono-culture, it’s no surprise that only 1.5% of the 900 million arable acres in the United States are farmed regenerative.
While regenerative brands create a market for regeneratively grown products and can incentivize farmers to apply regenerative agricultural practices, the transition of farmland will not happen overnight.
As a result, brands can be supply-constrained, which limits their options and shapes their choices as they grow.
5️⃣ Regenerative brands are often supply-constrained
Our fifth takeaway for “Key Challenges Facing Regenerative Brands”
👉 Learn more in our inaugural report: The State of Regenerative CPG – Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities for Collective Action
🥩 Force of Nature is hiring a Creative Director & Product Safety & Quality Analyst
🫘 SIMPLi is looking for an Accounting Manager
🐮 Painterland Sisters is hiring a Senior Events & Partnerships Manager, Social & Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer, & Customer Experience Manager
When their mentor, Paul Bickford, passed away, Halee & John Wepking stepped up to lead Meadowlark Farm & Mill, shaping the future of sustainable farming in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region.
From grass-fed beef to geese and a dynamic 6-8 crop rotation, Meadowlark is a living, breathing testament to regenerative agriculture✨
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