#100 - Applegate Bets Big On Regen Beef

Episode Highlights:

• 🌭 Applegate went all-in: The entire beef hot dog portfolio is now certified regenerative

• 🤯 Consumer confusion ≠ deterrent: Despite low consumer understanding of “regen,” Applegate committed to the transformation anyway.

• 💡 Do Good Dog learnings: Applegate's first regen product provided critical consumer insights—even if the SKU itself wasn’t the final solution.

• 🧬 Nutrient density & health trials: Applegate is conducting a human health study to compare regenerative vs. conventional beef on health biomarkers.

• 🧠 Consumer education strategy: The team is shifting toward messaging rooted in proxies like grass-fed and biodiversity—not soil science lectures.

• 🏆 Hormel backing regen: Carolyn confirms Hormel is fully supportive—proving big food can be part of the regen solution.

• 🧩 Collaborative supply chain: From aggregators to fashion brands, Applegate is working across sectors to support whole-animal utilization.

• 🌱 Farmer-first mindset: The team is focused on building systems that work with long-term supplier relationships and localized solutions.

• 🔍 Certification clarity: Applegate requires third-party certifications for all claims—driving integrity while acknowledging standard complexity.

• 📈 Beyond beef: Applegate is carefully evaluating pork, poultry, and feed systems to expand regen thoughtfully and meaningfully.

• Don’t have time for the full episode? 😵‍💫 

• Check out the recap! 🙃 

• Everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes. 🥳

👉 Regeneration won’t happen without this…

Everyone’s talking about regeneration — but there’s a gap no one else seems to talk about:

Market demand.

A regenerative food system needs brands to support regenerative agriculture.

And that only happens when there’s clear, trusted, accessible information to guide the way.

The ReGen Brands Institute is here to do that.

And with your support, we’ll keep building the insights and community to help regenerative brands grow.

Your donation today helps turn momentum into lasting market change — let’s build the demand regeneration deserves, together.

🥃 Introducing Star Hill Farm Whisky From The Maker’s Mark Distillery

• Maker’s Mark debuts its first new mashbill in 70 years with Star Hill Farm Whisky — a bold, wheat-forward spirit crafted to showcase the deep flavor potential of regeneratively grown ingredients and estate-sourced grains.

• With this release, Maker’s Mark launches a major regenerative agriculture initiative, committing to transition one million acres to regenerative practices and forming The Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance in partnership with Regenified and Understanding Ag.

• Additional coverage from Men’s Journal

🥩 Pioneering Study Reveals How Production Practices Shape the Nutrient Density of Beef

• Groundbreaking research reveals beef’s nutrient density is deeply influenced by farming practices — with pasture-based, polyculture systems delivering significantly higher levels of omega-3s, antioxidants, and essential minerals compared to conventional grain-fed models.

• Not all “grass-fed” or “grain-fed” systems are created equal — this study breaks down those broad labels, using metabolomics and advanced data tools to uncover wide nutritional variability based on feed diversity, animal genetics, and land management.

• A new framework for defining nutrient density is emerging — led by a coalition of scientists, farmers, and technologists aiming to create standardized, data-driven tools that empower producers and consumers to make informed, health-aligned food choices.

☁️ Imlak’esh Organics Launches Bestselling Functional Ingredients Nationwide at Whole Foods Market

• Imlak’esh Organics expands nationally with Whole Foods Market, launching its bestselling Spirulina and Maca in the Whole Body department and significantly boosting access to clean, functional superfoods.

• Rooted in sustainability and potency, the brand’s transition to lightweight, recyclable metal packaging reinforces its commitment to eco-conscious practices without compromising product quality.

🍨 Alec’s Ice Cream has launched Culture Cup nationwide at Whole Foods — a snack-sized, certified regenerative probiotic ice cream topped with a chocolate shell and packed with clean, functional ingredients. The product is already generating viral buzz on TikTok ahead of its retail debut. (LinkedIn ↗)

🐮 Painterland Sisters is on a mission to connect consumers with American farmers through their organic, regenerative Skyr yogurt — already selling over 6 million units nationwide. In this episode, sisters Hayley and Stephanie share how farm life shaped their values, why they’re all-in on regeneration, and what’s next for their fast-growing brand. (Live Purely Podcast ↗)

👏 Arizona Muse has been named Clarins' first Global CSR Advocate, joining forces with the beauty brand to champion regenerative agriculture and soil health. As part of this new partnership, Muse will spotlight Clarins' sustainability efforts — including their Regenerative Organic Certified® farming — through social content and storytelling. (PR Newswire ↗)

🐄 Hickory Nut Gap CEO Jamie Ager speaks out on the harmful impact of Trump-era policy rollbacks that cut funding for programs connecting local farms to schools and food banks. In this episode, Ager underscores how these decisions threaten both small farmers and food access for underprivileged children. (The Don Lemon Show ↗)

🚢 Vanilla Bean Project is pioneering wind-powered shipping for its Regenerative Organic Certified® vanilla, achieving a 90% reduction in emissions on its first trans-Atlantic sail-cargo voyage. As demand for low Scope 3 emissions grows, the company is scaling efforts to ship vanilla from Madagascar to the U.S. with the planet — and future regulations — in mind. (Organic Insider ↗)

🍪 Wildfarmed and Tribe have launched the UK’s first flapjack bar made with regeneratively farmed oats — debuting in Apple & Raspberry flavors and available online. Free from artificial ingredients and HFSS compliant, the bar marks a bold move to bring nature-friendly, regenerative snacks to the mainstream. (The Grocer ↗)

🍫 Belvas Belgian Chocolate is redefining chocolate by partnering directly with cocoa farmers, prioritizing fair trade, organic practices, and local value creation in Peru and the Ivory Coast. Their regenerative Armayari Bean Dark Chocolate just won a People-Forward NEXTY Award — a testament to founder Thierry Noesen’s mission to make chocolate more ethical, transparent, and farmer-first. (New Hope Network ↗)

🌽 Little Sesame has teamed up with Vista Hermosa to launch a limited-edition Mexican Street Corn Hummus, blending bold flavor and standout packaging in a category-first combo. (Nosh ↗)

🌾 Lil Bucks is hiring a National Sales Director

🛢️ La Tourangelle is looking for a Marketing Intern

🥩  Force of Nature is hiring a Product Marketing Manager / Director, Creative Director & Product Safety & Quality Analyst

🫘 SIMPLi is looking for a Director of Marketing & Accounting Manager

🐮 Painterland Sisters is hiring a Senior Events & Partnerships Manager, Social & Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer, & Customer Experience Manager

🎁  Giveaway! Your Chance To Win $2,500 Worth Of Regenerative Products Is Here!

• In honor of Earth Day and the spirit of regeneration, 25 brands in the ReGen Brands Coalition are giving away a curated bundle of products worth more than $2,500!

👉️ Enter now for a chance to win this curated collection crafted with care for people and the planet!