Sustainability

Divert Opens Washington Facility to Expand Circular Infrastructure for Unsold Food in Pacific Northwest

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:37:59 GMT

Divert Inc., a circular economy company on a mission to prevent food from being wasted, has opened its Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Longview, Wash., the first of its kind in the state. The 66,000 sq. ft. facility leverages Divert’s high-recovery depackaging technology and anaerobic digestion to process unsold food and organic materials into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizers that support further food growth in the region. At full capacity, the facility will be capable of processing up to 100,000 tons of unsold, nondonatable food annually.

The facility expands clean energy and organics diversion infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest, creating a circular system that captures the value from uneaten food and keeps it in the regional economy. At capacity, the facility will transform the material it receives into over 235,000 MMBtu of renewable energy and 450,000 lb. of nutrient-rich fertilizer annually — enough to power over 3,200 homes and support the growth of 225 million lb. of apples. Divert’s facility helps bring Washington and Oregon closer to their goals to reduce wasted food and greenhouse gas emissions by offsetting up to 23,000 metric tons of CO₂e each year through its operations. This advanced, purpose-built infrastructure will have impacts across the food value chain, from sending data upstream to facilitate source reduction and edible food recovery, to setting a new standard for downstream purity in land-applied soil amendments derived from food materials.

“The Longview facility will help build a more resilient, circular food system in the Pacific Northwest with energy, agriculture and economic impacts well beyond our operations,” says Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder of Divert. “Across the country, waste systems are becoming more complex, and disposal is moving farther from where material is generated. We need solutions that keep value local. Our model is proven to increase food donation, recover energy and return nutrients back into the regional economy in an efficient, scalable way. That supports compliance, strengthens agricultural communities and advances greater energy independence.”

Divert Inc. has opened its Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Longview, Wash., the first of its kind in the state.

(Photo courtesy of Divert Inc.)

Through the new facility, Divert provides its integrated services to some of the largest food retailers and manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest, including Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Reser’s Fine Foods, Safeway and more, while a partnership with Feeding America helps to optimize donation opportunities to people facing hunger in the local community.

“Our partnership with Divert and the new Longview facility give us an integrated organics diversion solution in the region we can rely on,” says Danelle Macias, senior director of sales and support for Albertsons, Portland Division. “Service reliability is essential to our business, and this is the kind of partnership where the operational details are taken care of, so we can focus on servicing our customers and communities.”

The facility also supports businesses navigating an expanding landscape of organics regulations, including Washington’s Organics Management Law and Portland’s business food scraps requirement, which require companies to divert organic waste from landfills.

“People often forget about the enormous climate impact of food production — and, by extension, food waste,” says Oregon metro councilor Christine Lewis. “By giving food scraps a circular-economy market option, Divert’s work elegantly addresses both halves of the equation. This is what innovation looks like.”

State leaders also emphasize the project’s impact on the regional workforce and long-term economic opportunity.

“For more than a decade, the Longview region has seen promising projects come and go, but Divert is different. It has followed through on its commitment to invest in this community,” says Heather Kurtenbach, executive secretary, Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council. “From the earliest stages, they partnered locally, prioritized our skilled workforce and ensured that good-paying construction jobs stayed right here in Longview. This project demonstrates that our region’s deep industrial roots and talented workforce can once again support major manufacturing investments and help lead Washington’s climate technology future.”

Longview, a major industrial region for the Pacific Northwest, offers close proximity to utilities capable of receiving renewable natural gas. Through an interconnection agreement with Cascade Natural Gas, RNG from the facility is fed directly into the existing distribution pipeline to power homes, businesses and hard-to-electrify industries in the area.

Divert is a portfolio company of Ara Partners, a global private equity, infrastructure and energy firm focused on decarbonizing the industrial economy. To learn more about Divert, click here.

How the Hass Avocado Board Aligns With 2026 AHA Guidance for the Ultimate Healthy Fat Swap

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:42:18 GMT

Editor’s note: This column is part of an ongoing series , “The 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, Retail Edition.”

In the ever-changing landscape of wellness, the “30 Plants Per Week” challenge has shifted from a niche dietary habit to a mainstream movement. As consumers look for tangible ways to hit this variety goal, heart health remains the primary driver of their purchasing decisions. The timing couldn’t be better: The American Heart Association’s newly released 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health has provided a clear roadmap for the modern shopper.

The directive is about a strategic “smart fat swap,” with AHA urging a prioritized shift toward unsaturated fats as part of a plant-rich dietary pattern. For retailers, this represents an opportunity to market fresh avocados not just as a produce staple but rather as a clinically backed tool for cardiovascular vitality.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and the Shopping Cart

AHA’s updated guidance emphasizes replacing saturated fats such as butter and processed spreads with nutrient-dense unsaturated fats. This is where the avocado shines as an intersection of science and everyday behavior. By positioning avocados as an easy, accessible swap, retailers can help consumers improve vascular function and resilience without the fatigue of a restrictive diet. It is a small, realistic shift that yields measurable results, making it the perfect focal point for displays centered on heart health and longevity.

The logic behind this smart fat swap is anchored in rigorous data. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a 2026 peer-reviewed randomized, double-blind, controlled feeding trial that examined the effects of replacing solid fats and added sugars with one avocado per day in adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk. The results were definitive: Participants saw significant reductions in non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides — two critical markers of cardiovascular risk. By highlighting this peer-reviewed research, retailers can build trust with an increasingly health-literate consumer base that demands evidence-backed wellness solutions.

Expert Insights: Q&A With the Hass Avocado Board

To further explore how the latest AHA guidance and recent clinical research impact the consumer journey, The Packer sat down with Amanda Izquierdo, public relations and advertising manager for the Hass Avocado Board.

The Packer: 2026 AHA Guidance emphasizes a dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. For those of us taking the “30 Plants Per Week Challenge,” how does prioritizing a nutrient-dense fruit like the avocado help us meet both AHA’s heart-health goals and our weekly plant-count targets?

Izquierdo: All fresh fruits and vegetables, including fresh avocados, are heart-healthy. The American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help people control their weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. Avocados are a healthy, nutrient-dense fruit that can help boost fruit intake. In addition, the American Heart Association recommends replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats for heart health. Avocados are low in saturated fat and provide 6 grams of unsaturated fat per serving (one-third of a medium avocado). And since avocados are virtually the only fruit with good fats, they make for a great pairing with other plants to help increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Here are some tasty combos to help boost nutrient intake:

Avocado Turkey Chili Stuffed Sweetpotatoes — Avocados can help absorb the vitamin A in sweetpotatoes.
Potassium Power Smoothie — Avocados can help absorb the vitamin D in soy milk.
Chocolate Almond Avocado Oat Bites — Avocados can help absorb the vitamin E in almonds.
Heart-Healthy Kale Avocado Salad with Roasted Carrots — Avocados can help absorb vitamins A and K in the leafy greens.

One of your key focus areas is the smart fat swap. Can you explain the physiological benefit of swapping saturated fats (like butter) for the unsaturated fats found in avocados? Specifically, how does this swap support vascular vitality and blood vessel function as we age? And please include suggestions for ways to swap the fat.

Avocado is effectively the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat, which can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in your blood that can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, in a randomized, double-blind, crossover feeding trial published earlier this year, 42 adults with elevated triglycerides followed two three-week diets: one where a daily hass avocado replaced solid fats and added sugars and another that was a matched control diet. The avocado diet lowered non-HDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and the total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. The Avocado Nutrition Center funded the study, and it cannot be generalized to larger, more diverse populations, but the study supports avocados as a heart-healthy choice in everyday meals.

Avocados can be used as a replacement for ingredients high in saturated fat, such as butter or higher-fat cheese, in tacos and burritos. For example:

Avocado replaces heavy cream in this rich and hearty Heart-Healthy Creamy Avocado Tomato Soup .
This Avocados Eggs Benedict with Avocado “Butter” Sauce is a better-for-you twist on eggs Benedict using fresh avocado instead of butter to make a rich and creamy hollandaise sauce.
You can even bake with avocados. These Soft Bakery-Style Avocado Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with creamy avocado instead of butter. Because of their neutral flavor and soft texture, avocados are the perfect fat replacement in many baking recipes.

While avocados are famous for their healthy fats, the “30 Plants” challenge is often about fiber (of which avocados are notorious) and micronutrient variety. What other specific nutrients do avocados bring to the table that support the AHA’s new recommendations for limiting sodium and ultra-processed foods?

As a whole food, fresh avocados are unprocessed and naturally nutritious, making them a great option for those wanting to prioritize whole, minimally processed foods. Avocados also are cholesterol-, sugar- and sodium-free.

How can retailers feature this trend in the produce aisle?

Pairing produce together and highlighting ways to use produce — like placing avocados, lime, garlic and tomatoes together for a quick guacamole or group avocados, mango, papaya and bell peppers nearby for a Mango, Papaya and Avocado Salsa . Retailers can also bring this trend to life by providing a simple recipe inspiration and health messaging on bags or signage. Messages such as “good source of fiber,” “heart-healthy,” “cholesterol-free” and “sodium-free” can help reinforce the health and nutrition benefits that drive avocado purchases. They can also use the mark, Avocados — Love One Today, on bags or other point-of-sale materials, which is a complimentary licensing program to promote fresh avocados. In addition, our website is a leading source for nutrition information and usage ideas for fresh avocados, giving retailers helpful resources to support these displays.

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The Hidden Risk: Why Water Quality Is the Next Big Challenge for Specialty Crops

Mon, 04 May 2026 20:12:48 GMT

In the world of specialty crops, the conversation around water has long been dominated by the urgent need for volume, with many farmers wondering if they will have enough supply to simply get through the season. However, Kilimo CEO Jairo Trad points to a more insidious threat mounting in the global supply chain. While drought remains a visible crisis, water quality — specifically the degradation caused by overfertilization and runoff — is emerging as a significant risk that many producers have yet to fully quantify.

Founded in Córdoba, Argentina, in 2014, Kilimo was born from Trad’s observations of how weather volatility could decide the fate of a family farm. Today, the climate-tech company uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze satellite imagery and meteorological data, helping farmers across seven countries, including U.S. and Chile, reduce water use by up to 30%. As the company expands its footprint in high-stakes regions like California’s San Joaquin Valley, the focus is shifting toward a more holistic view of water stewardship.

The Quality Blind Spot

For high-value crops like almonds, berries and citrus, the chemistry of the water is just as vital as the volume. Poor water quality doesn’t just impact immediate yields; it creates a compounding cycle of soil degradation and increased costs. Trad notes that this is particularly dangerous in specialty crop regions where production is concentrated. When water courses become polluted, the farming activity itself begins to worsen the very conditions required for future harvests.

“Water pollution and overfertilization lead to significant problems for farmers down the line,” Trad says. “In specialty crops, there is not enough data and not enough conversation around the water quality that farmers are using and how the same farming activity keeps worsening those water conditions.”

This creates a feedback loop that threatens the sustainability of the land in the most literal sense: the ability to sustain production over the long term. If the water quality isn’t high enough for the crops, the entire economic model of the farm begins to crumble, Trad says.

Data as the New Inheritance

Kilimo is tackling this vulnerability by moving beyond simple irrigation schedules. Its platform acts as a bridge between traditional agricultural wisdom and modern climate demands. By layering water balance modeling and local climate data, it can show growers in real time the exact difference between what a crop demands and what is actually being applied.

This data-first approach does more than just save acre-feet; it reduces the need for excess pumping and helps mitigate the overapplication of fertilizers that leads to water pollution. For Trad, this technology is a way to protect the “grandfather’s wisdom” that has guided farms for decades.

“Data can become a new kind of inheritance — a tool that doesn’t replace wisdom but helps it weather a changing climate,” Trad says. “Agriculture isn’t merely the sector most exposed to water risk; it’s our strongest partner for rebuilding the commons.”

Rewarding Stewardship Through Water Credits

To bridge the financial gap, Kilimo has pioneered a first-of-its-kind water-credit marketplace. In this model, verified water savings are treated similarly to carbon credits. Global companies like Microsoft, Google and Coca-Cola — seeking to meet water-positive pledges — invest in these credits, effectively paying farmers for the water they conserve.

This mechanism ensures that the cost of protecting water quality and quantity isn’t shouldered by the farmer alone. It transforms water conservation from a regulatory burden into a verifiable asset. As Trad puts it: “Water for agriculture is essentially free … so [farmers] have very little reason to be mindful of water beyond their own ideas that they should conserve it. The challenge is to give value to water.”

A Shared Future

As climate pressures mount, the industry must recognize that specialty crops are essentially “solar panels that function on water.” If the water fueling them is compromised, either by scarcity or by pollution, the entire system fails. By prioritizing water data today, specialty crop growers can transform a hidden risk into a verified competitive advantage.

The goal is to build a system where the health of the resources is as measurable as the harvest itself. In Trad’s view, this is the only way forward.

“Technology helps, but it doesn’t lead,” Trad says. “Farmers lead. We bring the tools; they bring the wisdom. That’s the only way this works.”

Organizations and Agencies Formalize Zero Deforestation Agreement for Mexican Avocados for Export

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:57:25 GMT

The Association of Avocado Producers and Exporting Packers of Mexico (APEAM) has formalized a Zero Deforestation Agreement with Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), establishing a framework to ensure export-bound avocados meet environmental standards increasingly required in global markets.

The agreement creates a voluntary self-regulation system for avocado exports that is designed to verify compliance with Mexican environmental law while strengthening traceability and transparency across the supply chain. This builds on a Mexican federal requirement published in October 2025 mandating zero deforestation for agricultural exports and is a big milestone for the Mexican avocado industry’s sustainability commitment, which includes APEAM and the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), as part of the industry’s Path to Sustainability.

Under this framework, APEAM will serve as a coordinating governance body, overseeing implementation of a bilateral operational work plan that covers orchards, packing facilities, inspections, traceability and logistics for hass avocado exports to the U.S. In coordination with SEMARNAT and PROFEPA, the model introduces clear mechanisms to:

Identify orchards with potential environmental risk.
Support producers in meeting legal compliance requirements.
Require remediation or compensation measures when applicable.

Government agencies will retain full oversight and enforcement authority. The agreement is intended to provide greater assurance of supply chain compliance, reduce regulatory and reputational risk and support continued access to Mexican avocados under evolving environmental standards.

During the signing, Mexico Environment Secretary Alicia Bárcena Ibarra said the agreement reflects closer coordination between government and industry to meet environmental obligations, while advancing trade and APEAM’s leadership in sustainability initiatives. APEAM says the framework will translate environmental requirements into verifiable and measurable actions, reinforcing the sector’s ability to meet international expectations.

“The agreement marks an important day for the industry and for the country,” says Raúl Martínez Pulido, president of APEAM. “Export avocado production to the United States only has a future if it is compatible with protecting our forests. The deal is not a symbolic gesture or a short-term response, but the natural evolution of a model built over nearly three decades on clear rules and shared responsibility. There is no competitiveness without legality, and no sustainable trade without environmental responsibility.”

The agreement reaffirms APEAM’s commitment to working alongside government authorities and commercial partners and is expected to strengthen regulatory certainty for producers and exporters while supporting long-term access to premium markets.

Mexico supplies more than 85% of avocados to the U.S., making the industry — represented by APEAM in Mexico and MHAIA in the U.S. — a critical component of the U.S. fresh produce market.

Natural Grocers and Rodale Institute Celebrate Earth Month With Annual Ladybug Love Campaign

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:16:51 GMT

To celebrate Earth Month, Natural Grocers is again teaming up with the Rodale Institute for its annual Ladybug Love campaign. Rooted in the company’s longstanding commitment to organic integrity, regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship, the campaign encourages communities to protect beneficial insects while supporting regenerative organic agriculture.

This year’s Earth Month fundraising efforts will benefit the Rodale Institute’s farmer training, which includes highly immersive, full-time programs that prepare farmers for careers in regenerative organic crop and vegetable production by advancing organic practices and soil health.

“The Ladybug Love campaign highlights the essential role beneficial insects play in building healthy soil, resilient farms and a more sustainable food system,” says Raquel Isely, vice president of marketing for Natural Grocers. “Rodale Institute’s science-driven research and immersive farmer training programs are helping advance regenerative organic agriculture in meaningful, measurable ways. With the support of our customers, this campaign helps cultivate the next generation of organic farmers while reinforcing our shared responsibility to care for the land, protect biodiversity and nourish the planet.”

Customers can take or renew their Ladybug Love pledge online, committing to avoiding chemicals that harm ladybugs and other beneficial insects in their homes, yards and gardens while supporting 100% organic produce. Natural Grocers says it aims to raise $100,000 in April for Rodale Institute’s farmer training programs through the following in-store fundraising opportunities:

Natural Grocers will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to the Rodale Institute for every Ladybug Love pledge signed from April 1-30.
Customers can donate $1, $5 or $10 at the register to support the Rodale Institute’s farmer training programs from April 1-30.
For every Ladybug Zip Pouch sold from April 1-30, Natural Grocers will donate $2 to the Rodale Institute.
{N}power members who make or renew their pledge from April 1-15 will receive $5 off their purchase from April 22-24.
{N}power members will also receive a free limited-edition Earth Day-themed reusable bag and sticker with any purchase from April 22-24.

Through April 25, customers are invited to count the ladybugs hidden throughout the pages of Natural Grocers’ Good4u Health Hotline magazine (Vol. 105) for the chance to win a $500 Natural Grocers gift card.

Throughout April, Natural Grocers says it will continue to celebrate Earth Month by sharing regenerative living insights and resources related to food, homes, gardens and yards. The celebration is set to culminate with a three-day Earth Day event, April 22-24, featuring “Even More Affordable Earth Day” deals, giveaways and special offers for {N}power members.

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Why Patagonia Is Investing $1.55M in This California County’s Soil

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:43:22 GMT

In the sun-drenched landscape of Ventura County, Calif., the geography of agriculture and daily life is inextricably linked. Citrus groves and strawberry fields sit just steps away from suburban porches, schools and parks. While this proximity defines the local landscape, it also presents an opportunity for a new model of land stewardship.

Ventura County remains a focal point for agricultural innovation, and today, that innovation is centered on transitioning toward regenerative organic practices.

To support this evolution, Patagonia’s Holdfast Collective has approved a $1.55 million, three-year grant renewal to support the Rodale Institute’s Regenerate Ventura project. This funding aims to accelerate the transition of farmland toward regenerative organic agriculture, a mission directly aligned with Patagonia’s vision for the future of food. For Patagonia, the investment is deeply local because its headquarters sits at the base of the Ventura River delta, where the mountain water meets the Pacific Ocean.

“This renewal reflects what we’ve proven in Year 1: That hyperlocal, farmer-first support works,” says Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach. “With Holdfast’s partnership, we’re not just funding transition; we’re funding a systems shift. The full vision for countywide transformation requires $10 million in total investment. We’re calling on others who are committed to this work to join us in making Ventura County a regenerative organic model for the nation.”

Paul Lightfoot, general manager of Patagonia Provisions, notes that the company’s employees are neighbors to these farms, living in Oxnard, Ojai and Ventura. Because the groves and neighborhoods are so intertwined, the health of the soil and the methods of application are a significant point of interest for the local community.

“It’s a nice thing to think about, because the meaning is, like, really important and personal,” Lightfoot says. He points to Ojai as a specific example where groves run through neighborhoods, making the success of the farming operations a shared community priority. “Our employees live in Ventura County. ... It’s just a huge point of concern for all of our people who live there and whose dogs run on the streets and their kids go to the parks and go to the schools there.”

While many might assume Patagonia Provisions is funding this to secure its own supply chain, the primary goal is to support farm viability. The division currently does not carry fresh produce like the lemons or strawberries grown in Ventura. Instead, the company is using the Holdfast Collective to act as a partner and funder to help local growers explore alternatives to what Lightfoot describes as the chemical agricultural treadmill.

Conventional farmers often face intense pressure from pest diseases and may find themselves caught in a cycle of increasing inputs.

“And that maybe works for a while, but it doesn’t work forever, right? Resistance is bred,” Lightfoot says. He notes that Rodale Institute’s role is to offer a different path for those interested in change. “What Rodale is doing is saying, ‘We’re going to go in and see if any farmers want to learn about their options for getting off the [chemical] agricultural treadmill,’ and a lot of them are saying yes.”

Rodale Institute steps into this space by offering technical assistance, business planning and equipment stipends. This farmer-first approach ensures that growers have the data and support they need to maintain a productive, profitable operation while moving away from synthetic applications. The project has already seen significant success since its 2024 launch, with more than 10,000 acres currently in transition and nearly 39% engagement among farmers who are Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).

For Lightfoot and the team at Patagonia, seeing these funds put to work is a direct reflection of the company’s unique ownership structure. Because profits are paid to the Holdfast Collective to protect the planet, the success of the business is redirected back into the health of the local soil. Lightfoot says he views the grant as a way to use the “fruits of our labor” to help build a more resilient agricultural model right in their own backyard.

“Rodale Institute is filling a void,” says Greg Curtis, executive director of the Holdfast Collective. “They’ve shown up with rigor, trust and results. Their model proves that organic and regenerative organic agriculture is essential to climate resilience and farm viability in our own backyard and beyond.”

Report Shows U.S. Food Waste at Historic Low, Driven by Households

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:59:52 GMT

Progress on the Plate: 2026 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report marks a turning point in the movement to reduce food waste, revealing the first year-to-year reduction in surplus food since COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, total surplus food in the United States decreased to 70 million tons, a 2.2% reduction from the previous year, or a 3.7% decrease per capita. While this represents a significant milestone, nearly one-third of U.S. food supply (29%) still goes unsold or uneaten.

The new report from ReFED includes key statistics, insights, barriers and points of progress on the issue, to help professionals and communities alike understand the current state of the food waste challenge and how to meaningfully address it.

“This is an opportune moment to focus on wasting less food,” says Dana Gunders, president of ReFED. “With higher food prices, Americans are looking for ways to extend their grocery dollars. Using up more of what they’re already purchasing and wasting less is proving to be one of the most accessible ways to do it. At the same time, food waste reduction is recognized as a business decision with material impact on the bottom line for food businesses, which are elevating the issue to the C-suite and boardroom. The wind is at our backs, and it’s time to step on the gas.”

The amount of surplus food according to ReFED’s Progress on the Plate: 2026 U.S. Food Waste Report.

(Image courtesy of ReFED)

Fresh Produce Waste: A Persistent Challenge

Fresh produce remains the most wasted food type in the United States, accounting for 45.4% of all surplus food. Despite overall reductions in food waste, fresh fruit has been particularly difficult to manage and did not see the same waste reductions as more “visible” everyday items like milk.

To bridge the national results with specific industry trends, the following sections examine how fresh produce waste is currently being addressed across the farm, retail and consumer sectors:

1. At the Farm Level (24.2% of Surplus)
Farms are the second largest source of surplus food, contributing 24.2% of the total. Much of this waste is driven by systemic factors:

Harvesting: Approximately 19.9% of total surplus food across the supply chain is never harvested.
Buyer rejections: Strict aesthetic standards lead to “buyer rejections,” which account for 2.2% of surplus food.
Emerging solutions: Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is increasing the appeal of imperfect produce, which can be diverted from landfills and sold at a discount to improve both nutrition and affordability.

2. In the Retail Sector (5.7% of Surplus)
While retail accounts for a smaller percentage of total surplus (5.7%), it represents a significant financial opportunity.

Efficiency gains: Grocery retailers saw a 1.1% decrease in their “Unsold Food Rate” between 2023 and 2024.
Financial impact: Surplus food in the retail sector was valued at $26.9 billion in 2024.
Policy and AI: Standardizing date labels through the proposed federal Food Date Labeling Act could save retailers $253 million annually through better inventory management. Additionally, AI-enhanced demand-planning tools are helping retailers right-size orders and improve yield.

3. Consumer Waste (33.5% of Surplus)
Residential waste is the leading driver of surplus food, but it also showed the most progress in 2024 with a 950,000-ton reduction.

Economic drivers: High food prices have forced consumers to adopt better food management practices, such as meal planning (72%), checking inventory before shopping (87%) and eating leftovers (76%).
The produce gap: Consumers are more effective at managing prepared foods, but struggle with fresh produce, which often goes to waste because it is “harder to manage.”
Financial burden: On average, individual consumers spend $762 per year on food that eventually goes to waste.

Looking Forward: The Path to 2030

The report identifies 47 solutions — including centralized composting, upcycling and portion size customization — that could reduce food waste by 20 million tons annually if fully implemented. By focusing on inventory visibility and behavioral change, U.S. aims to maintain this momentum to meet the goal of halving food waste by 2030.

To read the full report, click here .

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Kroger and Flashfood Take Waste-Reduction Partnership Divisionwide Across the Mid-Atlantic

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:06:23 GMT

Flashfood’s mission to tackle food insecurity and waste has reached a major milestone as its platform goes live across Kroger’s entire Mid-Atlantic Division.

Following a successful rollout in 16 Richmond-area stores last summer that saved shoppers nearly $700,000, keeping over 290,000 pounds of food out of landfills, the rollout now provides residents in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky access to affordable, high-quality groceries at more than 100 locations, according to the companies.

“From the start, our Richmond customers have embraced Flashfood,” says Kate Mora, president of Kroger Mid-Atlantic. “The expansion throughout our Mid-Atlantic Division is a natural next step. This will give more shoppers the opportunity to save on groceries while ensuring less good food ends up in landfills, bringing our Zero Hunger, Zero Waste commitment to life in a meaningful way.”

“In a short amount of time, the impact Kroger and Flashfood have been able to accomplish for their local communities — improving access to affordable, healthy food — is something I’m incredibly proud of,” says Flashfood CEO Jordan Schenck. “Together, we’re building a modern, data-driven shrink management system that supports Kroger’s waste reduction goals while helping more families access the food they need.”

Bridging the Gap Between Health and Affordability

As part of a collective effort to advance food-as-medicine initiatives, Kroger Health and Flashfood are placing affordability at the center of the nutrition conversation. In a 2025 survey, 70% of Flashfood shoppers reported a healthier diet since using Flashfood, according to a news release.

As Flashfood expands across the Mid-Atlantic Division, Kroger Health and Flashfood will offer a series of free virtual nutrition classes for Kroger shoppers. The classes will share tips for preparing easy, healthy meals on a budget and making the most of fresh ingredients found on Flashfood.

“Our team is always looking for ways to make healthier choices the easy choice for our shoppers, and Flashfood helps make those options both accessible and affordable,” says Laura Brown, director of nutrition for Kroger Health. “Through these nutrition classes, we hope to make healthy living more approachable while showcasing the wide variety of nutritious options available in our stores.”

With this expansion, Flashfood says it continues to scale as a trusted grocery technology partner for major retailers across North America. Flashfood is now available in more than 2,000 grocery stores, helping shoppers save hundreds of millions of dollars on groceries while keeping millions of pounds of food out of landfills.

Spoonfuls' Food Waste Challenge Bridges the Gap from Aisle to Kitchen

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:39:37 GMT

Spoonfuls, New England’s largest food recovery organization, has launched its Food Waste Challenge as part of its activities around Earth Month.

The organization seeks to help households tackle the 33% of food waste that happens at home. The initiative specifically targets best-by or sell-by dates and challenges consumers to look at monitoring and prioritizing at-risk items, flexible meal planning and shopping, rethinking date labels, freezing and strategic storage and eating leftovers.

Empowering Shoppers to Save

Liz Miller, senior community relations manager at Spoonfuls, says the Food Waste Challenge is a great opportunity for consumers to recognize their food waste habits, as nearly one-third of the food in the U.S. goes unsold or uneaten. While a lot of what happens at the grocery store level is consumer-driven, this is an opportunity for retailers to help consumers be more conscientious shoppers.

“It’s taking notice of the issue of wasted food and how it’s showing up in our daily lives, and then challenging ourselves to do better is the intent of the challenge,” she says. “And I think when we all go grocery shopping, that’s a perfect opportunity to practice that.”

Miller says there are also financial implications to wasted food, regardless of income, so she says she hopes this Food Waste Challenge is a motivation to make changes.

“The average household of four wastes around $3,000 on wasted food each year,” she says.

“What we understand from research is that households across the board are subject to this issue of wasted food and those households across the board are losing money if they’re wasting food,” she adds. “It’s exciting to be able to give folks sort of the tools to empower them to avoid that loss.”

Rethinking the ‘Perfect’ Produce

Miller says this could mean picking the misshapen pepper or another piece of produce that has some imperfections.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us, regardless of where we work or how we’re engaging in the food system, to really build a strong understanding of this very wide, widely reaching issue,” she says.

Miller says the Food Waste Challenge is an opportunity for consumers to be more thoughtful shoppers, knowing what they already have on hand and what needs to be used. It’s also a chance for consumers to be more intentional shoppers, buying only what can be consumed more timely.

“There was a study done a couple years ago that was looking at consumer food waste habits and interventions to reduce wasted food in the home, and making a grocery list and then sticking to that grocery list was one of the most effective ways that households were found to be reducing the amount of wasted food that they were generating,” she says.

Miller says there’s also some synergy with consumers’ bigger focus on food waste and apps, such as Too Good to Go or Flashfood, to help retailers eliminate surplus and excess product. While it’s easy to think that those apps compete for items that would be donated to food recovery organizations, she says this helps create broader consciousness around food waste.

“I think it opens the door for consumers to rethink their own standards, because when folks see something that’s imperfect or something that’s excess, they might not want it,” Miller says. “But then if it’s offered at like a discount and there’s kind of an exciting opportunity to grab something at a steal, more people are probably willing to do it.”

And this translates to consumers’ habits at home, where they may think differently about excess food.

“There’s some nice synergy with stores trying to be a little bit more sustainable and a little bit more efficient and using those kinds of apps and other software that’s helping them be more efficient,” she says. “With the consumers simultaneously becoming a little bit more tolerant of doing things differently in a retail environment.”

Aligning with Corporate Sustainability Goals

Miller says a major goal for the Food Waste Challenge is to curb the impacts of wasted food that ends up in landfills on greenhouse gas emissions, as nearly 3.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from wasted food.

“I know that that aligns with what a lot of retailers are thinking about as they’re thinking about their own sustainability goals and their corporate social responsibility goals,” she says.

Miller says the ultimate goal of the Food Waste Challenge is to promote more conscious consumption of food and build awareness, which is beneficial to all retailers.

“We welcome any retailer who wants to get on board to encourage their staff to take it and really just kind of dive into these issues with us, because it’s a great learning opportunity,” she says.

Miller says the Food Waste Challenge also helps show consumers realistically how much food they waste. She says she’s had many people tell her, “I don’t waste anything.”

“Then I challenge them to think about it a little bit more carefully and they start to realize, ‘I did throw away half a bunch of parsley just the other day’ or ‘Oh, yeah. Those carrots in my crisper got really floppy and I tossed them too.’ People start to think about it a little bit more critically.”

She points to Spoonfuls’ Wasted Food Inventory, which helps participants track food thrown away in a week and reflect on why the food was wasted to help determine small changes to waste less in the future.

“I think a lot of folks don’t realize it until they start paying attention to it, and then they’re shocked and ready to make a change,” she says.

Miller says if retailers have excess product that is safe to eat but needs to find a home, connect with a local food recovery organization like Spoonfuls to donate that excess produce.

“And that’s them taking the food waste challenge to heart and really making an impact,” she says.

The Produce Aisle’s Secret Satiety Hack: The Inulin Effect

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:24:16 GMT

Editor’s note: This column is part of an ongoing series , The 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, Retail Edition.

When I first started the 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, I thought I was just doing it for the diversity and benefits to my gut health. But a few weeks in, I noticed that while I was hitting my fruit and vegetable goals, I was also experiencing more satiety and fullness with meals. After diving into the nutritional science, I realized I hadn’t just changed my fiber intake; I had inadvertently been biohacking my GLP-1 levels.

The Science: Beyond Just ‘Roughage’

We’ve all heard of GLP-1 thanks to the rise of metabolic medications, but your body actually manufactures this hormone naturally in your gut’s L-cells. The secret to triggering it? Fermentable prebiotic fibers, specifically inulin and oligofructose.

Recent clinical reviews show that when our gut bacteria ferment these specific fibers, they produce metabolites that act as a direct green light for our bodies to release GLP-1 naturally.

When you eat plants rich in these fibers, they pass through your stomach undigested and land in the colon. There, your gut microbes have a feast. As they ferment these fibers, they produce short-chain fatty acids. These SCFAs act like a finger pressing a start button on your L-cells, signaling them to release GLP-1 into your bloodstream. This slows down gastric emptying and tells your brain, “Hey, we’re actually full.”

For a closer look at how these specific plant compounds — like intact grains and greens — interact with our gut’s ileal brake, check out this breakdown by NutritionFacts.org . It effectively illustrates how feeding your microbiome is the most direct way to signal the brain that you’re genuinely satisfied.

To maximize this natural hormone hit, consumers can look for these items on their next grocery run:

Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) — These are the undisputed kings of inulin. Roasted, they taste like a nutty potato, but they pack a massive prebiotic punch.
Chicory and radicchio — That bitter crunch in a salad mix is doing more than adding color. Chicory root is one of the most concentrated sources of GLP-1-triggering fiber.
Asparagus — A fantastic source of fructooligosaccharides. Aim for the tender green spears to keep your gut bacteria happy.
Underripe bananas — Bananas with a slightly greenish peel contain resistant starch, which functions similarly to inulin in the fermentation process.

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A Haven for Hope: How a Training Farm Empowers North Carolina's Veterans

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:58:31 GMT

Midmorning on a 53-acre farm just outside the gates of Fort Bragg, N.C., a small group of veterans moves between greenhouses, specialty crops and animal pens, pausing to check water lines in the greenhouse before heading toward the livestock.

For many of them, this is unfamiliar work. A year ago, some had never set foot on a farm. What does feel familiar is something less visible to these veterans: the sense of being a unit, the understanding that the person beside you matters and the expectation that everyone has a role.

At Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina , that feeling is not accidental. It is built into the day-to-day work, shaped by Robert Elliott, a former Marine who understands what happens when that sense of belonging disappears.

Elliott grew up with farming in his blood. His family’s land in North Carolina traced back generations to a time when land grants defined ownership and identity. Over the years, that land diminished, reduced piece by piece until little remained. After his mother died, the final ties to that property slipped away. What had once been a defining part of his life was gone.

Elliott left for the Marine Corps, building a life far removed from the fields of his childhood. He spent 15 years in military service, both active duty and as a contractor, immersed in a world where structure, purpose and dependence on others were constant. When that ended, the transition back to civilian life was abrupt and disorienting.

“Nobody prepares us, really, at the level it needs to be done for transition back into the civilian world,” Elliott says.

That transition from military service to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable periods for veterans, Elliott says, with its marked sudden loss of structure, identity and close-knit support systems. Research shows that this adjustment period often brings heightened risk for mental health challenges, including depression and isolation.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023 — an average of about 17.5 per day — and suicide rates remain significantly elevated compared to the general population. Studies also indicate that the risk is especially high in the first year after leaving the military, when many veterans are navigating major life changes without the built-in community they once relied on.

Elliott describes this transition in stark terms. He compares it to being shipwrecked on a deserted island, saying that a group of people survives together in an intense environment, relying on each other for everything. Then, without warning, they are placed back into a world that no longer feels familiar. The support system disappears overnight. The expectations shift. The sense of purpose becomes unclear.

“You wind up crashing on an island … and your survival depends on the people that are there with you … then one day you get picked up and dropped back into the civilian world … and you’ve lost that entire network overnight,” he says.

The Veteran’s Farm sits on 53 acres and operates as a working, small-scale agricultural system.

(Photo courtesy of Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina)

Joining the Journey

Back home, he struggled to find his footing until an unexpected moment with a chicken changed everything.

It belonged to his girlfriend at the time, one of several in the yard, he says, but this one refused to leave him alone. One day, it hopped into his lap and stayed there. It was a simple act, but it broke through the fog he had been living in.

“This chicken just hopped in my lap one day … and it was basically like God Almighty telling me: You need to get back to the farm and find a purpose.”

He started small. As he rebuilt his connection to the land, he also began talking about his experience. At a roundtable event in North Carolina focused on agriculture, he shared his story publicly for the first time. He used an analogy that resonated with civilians and veterans alike, describing the disorientation of leaving a tightly bonded group and trying to function alone.

The response was immediate, and people asked for copies of his remarks. Invitations to speak followed, taking him across the country and into conversations with agricultural leaders and policymakers. Media outlets picked up his story, drawn to the idea that farming had helped pull a veteran out of a dangerous place.

More importantly, other veterans began reaching out.

“In the beginning, it was just, ‘Come on over. I’ll show you what I’m doing,’ … and all of a sudden that turned into this little network of veterans,” he says.

They wanted to know how to do what he was doing. They were searching for a way to rebuild their own sense of purpose. At first, Elliott simply invited them over. He shared with them what he was learning and helped them think through their own next steps. A network formed, made up of veterans trying to find stability through agriculture.

The Veteran’s Farm becomes a place where people can decompress while still being part of a team.

(Photo courtesy of Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina)

That momentum eventually led to the creation of Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina.

The farm sits on 53 acres and operates as a working, small-scale agricultural system. It includes beef cattle, sheep and pigs, along with poultry production. Greenhouses support hydroponic lettuce and basil, while other areas are dedicated to mushrooms, ornamental plants, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. The diversity is intentional. It allows participants to experience a wide range of agricultural practices and decide what might fit their own goals.

Each year, about 70 veterans and active-duty service members come through the program. Some arrive with a clear interest in farming. Others are simply looking for direction.

Not all of them stay in agriculture. Elliott estimates that around 30% go on to start or contribute to farming operations. The rest take what they have learned and apply it elsewhere. That outcome is by design, as the program emphasizes the realities of farming, ensuring participants understand both the opportunities and the challenges before making major financial or life commitments.

The structure of the farm reflects a familiar system for many of its participants, Elliott says. New students enter the program while those further along take on leadership roles, helping guide and train the newcomers. It mirrors the hierarchy and mentorship found in military units, creating a sense of continuity that many veterans find reassuring.

A Safety Net After Service

The impact of the farm goes beyond skills training. Elliott says he has lost six fellow Marines to suicide since leaving the military. Those losses have shaped how the program operates. He has developed a model of suicide prevention that is integrated into the training, focusing on rebuilding connection, purpose and routine. A licensed family therapist visits regularly, working with participants on stress management and coping strategies.

The farm becomes a place where people can decompress while still being part of a team.

“It’s a safety net … a new unit for them to check into,” he says.

Elliott often refers to it as a new unit, and the language is deliberate. Veterans understand units. They understand what it means to rely on others and to be relied upon. At the farm, they find a version of that structure without the pressures of military service.

The results are deeply personal, he says. Over the years, 13 veterans have told Elliott that the program played a direct role in saving their lives.

“We have had 13 veterans who have told us … ‘If it weren’t for where I’m at right here, right now, I wouldn’t be here,’” he says.

The work continues to evolve. The organization relies on a mix of farm revenue, grants and community support. Produce and products are sold through local partners and markets, with some items donated to food banks. As funding sources shift, the farm is exploring tuition models and expanding access through programs that support veterans’ education and training.

For many participants, it is the first time since leaving the military that they feel grounded.

Elliott did not set out to build a national model or a widely recognized program. He was trying to find his own way back to stability. What grew from that effort is something larger, shaped by shared experiences and a common need for connection.

The land provides the setting. The work provides the structure. The people provide the meaning.

And in that combination, something takes root that goes far beyond farming.

Superfresh Growers Adds EFI Certification to Cherry Operations

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:34:47 GMT

Superfresh Growers has expanded its Equitable Food Initiative certification, which builds on its certified apple and pear acreage and now covers the majority of the company’s cherry acreage.

The company says it plans additional apple, pear, blueberry and cherry acreage certification over the next two years to extend EFI standards across the company’s full range of operations.

The expansion reflects a multiyear commitment to making EFI the operating standard across Superfresh Growers’ farms and production facilities, with a particular emphasis on apples and blueberries in the next phase, the company says.

“We’ve always tried to support the well-being of teams across the company and run strong operations, but EFI gives us a structure to keep improving and a way to measure if we’re actually getting better,” says Derek Tweedy, vice president of operations for Superfresh Growers. “It helps us listen to our teams, identify issues earlier and make practical changes that improve safety, culture and day-to-day work. When our teams are engaged and feel heard, the whole operation runs better.”

Superfresh Growers says it was among the early adopters of EFI when the program first launched and has continued expanding its participation as the program has grown.

Through EFI training, the company has implemented several employee-led improvements across both orchard and warehouse operations.

Recent additional improvements focused on Superfresh production facilities, including enhanced lighting in work areas and reflective safety vests for forklift operators. Superfresh Growers says that while some improvements are large in scope, others are simple solutions that come directly from employees doing the work every day. The EFI process encourages communication and problem-solving across all levels of the organization, creating a culture where employees feel ownership and responsibility in improving their workplace.

“EFI has changed the ‘that’s how we do it’ mentality to an ‘I have the power to make change’ mentality,” says Melissa Gomez, HR generalist and EFI coordinator for Superfresh Growers. “The biggest change we’ve seen is the level of ownership from our teams. Employees are speaking up, identifying issues and helping solve problems. That level of engagement is what makes this program successful.”

Healing the Soil, Healing Ourselves: Rodale Institute CEO Bridges the Gap Between the Furrow and the Pharmacy

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:29:12 GMT

For Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach, the crisis facing American agriculture is personal. Years ago, facing a debilitating health crisis, he found that the path to his own recovery led not to a medicine cabinet but rather back to the earth. In his debut book, “The Farm Is Here,” released March 24, Tkach weaves his own story of transformation into a broader manifesto for a nation at a crossroads.

The book brings critical attention to the direct link between soil health and public health, leveraging both scientific research and Tkach’s own health journey to highlight agriculture’s role in addressing national health challenges.

Tkach argues that the fractures in the modern food system, from chronic illness to economic instability, share a common root: the degradation of our soil. He posits that we can no longer afford to view the environment and the economy as competing interests.

“Sustainability requires economic viability,” Tkach says. “In my new book ‘The Farm Is Here,’ I make the case that regenerative organic agriculture achieves both. By building soil health and reducing input dependency, farmers simultaneously strengthen their environmental impact and financial future.

“When farmers adopt these practices, input costs decline, soil fertility increases, and resilience grows,” he continues. “With regenerative organic agriculture, environmental stewardship and farmer prosperity go hand in hand.”

“The Farm Is Here” is available now at all major book retailers.

(Photo courtesy of the Rodale Institute)

The book arrives at a time when the American public is increasingly wary of the industrial food complex. Leveraging decades of rigorous scientific research from the Rodale Institute, Tkach illustrates that the biological health of a farm is the primary driver of the nutritional value of our food. He asserts that the disconnect between what we grow and how we feel is a dangerous illusion that must be shattered.

“We can no longer separate farming from health outcomes, and the conversation about agriculture has to shift,” he says. “In ‘The Farm Is Here,’ I share my own health journey to illustrate what Rodale Institute research has proven for decades. The quality of our soil directly impacts the quality of our food and the health of our communities.”

“Every farming decision is a health decision, and that reality is reshaping how we think about agriculture’s role in America.”

Jeff Tkach, Rodale Institute CEO

Beyond the individual, Tkach addresses the systemic vulnerabilities exposed by recent global disruptions. From supply chain collapses to the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, he presents regenerative organic agriculture not as a niche lifestyle choice but rather as a critical infrastructure requirement for a stable society.

“The food system is only as resilient as the farming practices that feed it. Right now, we’re seeing supply chain disruptions, volatile input costs and climate unpredictability hitting farms hard. In ‘The Farm Is Here,’ I make the case that regenerative farming practices are the answer to those challenges,” Tkach says. “When farmers shift to diverse crop rotations, cover crops and soil-building practices, they’re building a food system that’s less dependent on volatile markets, more adaptable to climate extremes and more capable of delivering the nutrient-dense food consumers are demanding.”

Tkach emphasizes how the fates of public health, climate and community well-being are intertwined, and everyone has a role to play, presenting evidence-based guidance and actionable steps for individuals, institutions and policymakers to foster regeneration in daily life that can yield measurable, long-term benefits.

As former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario puts it, “‘The Farm Is Here’ is an important book rooted in hope for our planet.”

“The Farm Is Here” is available now at all major book retailers. Learn more about the movement toward soil health at rodaleinstitute.org .

Stemilt Highlights Farmworker Awareness Week With New EFI Case Study

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:06:15 GMT

In celebration of Farmworker Awareness Week, Stemilt Growers has shared updates about a new Equitable Food Initiative case study as well as the completion of 48 worker-driven production improvement projects in the past year.

“When I think about what EFI is, it’s people,” says West Mathison, president of Stemilt. “By definition, EFI is a third-party audit designed by workers, growers, retailers and consumers to help suppliers like Stemilt bring more transparency and assurance around farm working conditions. But by the way it shows up in everyday life at work, it’s become part of our team’s identity, shaping how they show up, collaborate and look out for one another.”

To honor the progress made toward farmworker health and well-being, Stemilt says it examined the impact of its continuous improvement efforts with EFI over the past five years. According to the case study, employee engagement has improved by 10% since 2022 , with 96% of H-2A and 80% of local workers returning for seasonal work each year. In 2025 alone, Stemilt says EFI leadership teams across the apple and pear packing lines and the North Distribution Center completed 48 improvement projects at its packing facilities, each driven by worker insight and collaboration.

“One of the most powerful things our leadership teams have shared is that employees feel comfortable coming to them with questions or concerns,” Mathison says. “Many of our improvement projects have grown directly from those conversations, from adding stairs to parts of the packing line to improve safe access, to reorganizing the box mezzanine for better efficiency, to installing box elevators that reduce repetitive bending. Individually, these changes may seem small, but over time they create meaningful improvements in both physical and mental safety. Between 2023 and 2024, we reduced workplace injuries by 15%, and in some months, we’ve had no reported injuries at all.”

Stemilt says additional improvements included painted crosswalks and directional arrows in parking areas to enhance pedestrian safety, chains added to the line dumper to improve operations, electric scales installed in bagging areas to reduce unnecessary movement, new cafeteria access points to reduce slips and falls, and modifications to the pear line stamper to streamline workflow and reduce downtime.

Each of these changes has contributed to more than $68,000 in ROI, Stemilt says, while also making its production facilities safer and more efficient for workers.

“As we celebrate five years of EFI certification, we’re proud to recognize the World Famous farmworkers whose leadership and expertise have driven continuous improvement across Stemilt,” Mathison says. “Their hands, knowledge and commitment to excellence are what make our apples, pears and cherries World Famous. Farmworker Awareness Week gives us a special moment to highlight their impact, but our appreciation extends far beyond a single week.”

The Vertical Farms Changing the Face of Rehabilitation in South Carolina and California Prisons

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:26:34 GMT

Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing Sowing Change series about urban farming.

In the volatile landscapes of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, David Flynn learned that a road is a lifeline for a struggling economy. Years later, as the CEO of AmplifiedAg, he is applying that same mission-driven mindset to a different kind of isolated environment: the U.S. correctional system.

By deploying high-tech vertical farms inside prison walls, AmplifiedAg is creating a new path for incarcerated individuals, one that leads away from recidivism and toward specialized careers in the growing ag-tech sector. Flynn says agriculture reentry programs have the lowest recidivism rate — at 19% —among any other programming.

AmplifiedAg has spent years honing the modular approach to indoor farming, using upcycled refrigerated containers to grow produce in environments where nature has largely bowed out. While the technology is sophisticated — involving proprietary internet-connected sensors and climate control — the most significant impact of this work is currently being felt behind the barbed wire of the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution in Columbia, S.C., and the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, Calif.

The path to these prison yards began years ago in Afghanistan. During his military service, Flynn observed how the local economy in the Arghandab district relied on a fragile irrigation system to sustain its world-famous pomegranate orchards.

“My view of combat was about 30% violence and 70% everything else that you do,” Flynn says. “Part of that ‘everything else’ was trying to help the local economy.”

He saw firsthand that food security was the cornerstone of a stable society, a lesson that now drives AmplifiedAg’s mission to provide for underserved and isolated populations.

“Our system isn’t just focused on labor,” says AmplifiedAg CEO David Flynn. “It’s designed to create skill sets that make somebody attractive for employment on the other side.”

(Photo courtesy of AmplifiedAg)

In South Carolina, that mission took the form of a partnership with the state’s corrections department. Director of Agriculture Rick Doran was looking for a way to modernize the state’s prison farms, moving beyond traditional row crops into the future of agribusiness. However, placing a high-tech, internet-connected farm inside a maximum-security prison presented a unique set of logistical headaches.

“The one that caught us off guard the most was just the software access,” Flynn says.

In an environment where internet use is strictly controlled to prevent illicit communication, AmplifiedAg had to work closely with prison IT professionals to create a “restricted pipe.” This ensures the farm’s sensors can communicate with the cloud, but the participants cannot wander elsewhere on the web.

“We have to provide them with a URL that is specifically for the farm’s control,” Flynn says, noting that the security of the facility always remains the top priority.

The program, known as Cultivating Futures, is designed to be more than a source of labor. By the time the women at the correctional facilities complete the program, they have been immersed in a curriculum that covers everything from horticulture and food safety to the business of entrepreneurship. Flynn is adamant that the goal is to create a professional bridge to the outside world.

“Our system isn’t just focused on labor,” he says. “It’s designed to create skill sets that make somebody attractive for employment on the other side.”

A classroom inside the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution.

(Photo courtesy of AmplifiedAg)

To ensure that attractiveness translates into a paycheck, the program has secured letters of intent from the Palmetto Agribusiness Council, ensuring that graduates get a fair shot at interviews upon release.

The benefits are as much psychological as they are economic. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that prison gardening and farming programs function as a “restorative sanctuary,” significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among participants. And the National Library of Medicine shows exposure to plants , green space and gardening is beneficial to mental and physical health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, thus improving daily life behind bars and overall well-being.

The production capacity of the corrections container farm model is as impressive as its mission, yielding approximately 48,000 pounds of fresh, nutrient-dense greens annually. This harvest directly enhances the diet of the incarcerated population by being served in the prison cafeteria, and it extends its reach into the surrounding community.

Solving for the Impossible

While the work in South Carolina and California is a primary focus, AmplifiedAg continues to test the limits of modular farming in other underserved and extreme spaces.

Saltwater solutions — The company helped enable Heron Farms, the first saltwater vertical farm, which successfully grows sea beans using seawater.
Scientific research — Working with USDA, AmplifiedAg’s systems are used to study cultivars like cucumbers, peppers and rice to help traditional field growers combat pathogens.
Hyperlocal resilience — Unlike massive warehouse farms, Flynn argues the container model is more resilient because it provides a hyperlocal solution that complements traditional agriculture rather than trying to compete with it.

“Indoor agriculture is not designed to compete with traditional agriculture, but more so to complement it and provide an off-season and year-round type of solution,” Flynn says.

For the women in South Carolina and California, that solution isn’t just about the lettuce; it’s about the growth that happens when a person is given the tools to harvest a new life.

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How Buying Mangoes and Produce Brings Clean Water to Those in Need

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:35:54 GMT

World Water Day 2026 is nearing on March 22. UN-Water, the coordinating body of the United Nations’ water and sanitation efforts, sets an official theme and campaign each year. In 2026, the theme is “Water and Gender,” and the accompanying campaign is, “Where water flows, equality grows.”

These messages accurately frame water and sanitation as a human rights issue that affects health, education, dignity and opportunity. For Continental Fresh, a grower, shipper and importer of fresh fruits and vegetables from Latin America, the message is deeply personal.

While lack of clean water and sanitation affects entire communities, the UN notes that women and girls can carry a significant burden, resulting in lost time and reduced opportunity, along with strain to health and safety.

Simple Actions Can Bring Lasting Solutions

Part of the answer is as simple as buying produce; just look for the blue Water For All label on mangoes, cucumbers or butternut squash.

Continental Fresh says simple actions can create major changes when they’re taken together with others, and it doesn’t get any simpler than buying the fruits and vegetables you use every day.

Proceeds from every Water For All produce sale fund gravity-driven aqueducts, filtration systems, ventilated-improved pit latrines and other clean water and sanitation initiatives. These projects, carried out with Continental Fresh’s partner, Blue Missions, bring reliable water access and sanitation to communities in need. These projects are a catalyst for life-changing improvements, including better community health, increased school attendance and more economic opportunity.

So far, Water For All sales and fundraising have helped bring clean water access to almost 37,000 people, along with improved sanitation access to over 12,400, according to the company. The purpose-driven produce brand earned national recognition in 2025, receiving first place in the Brand Citizenship category at the National Agri-Marketing Association’s Best of NAMA Awards.

“Water is a foundation of community health and opportunity,” says Albert Perez, CEO of Continental Fresh and founder of Water For All. “World Water Day reminds us that access to safe water changes everything. It helps children stay in school, supports healthier families and opens the door to greater opportunity.”

An urgent need for clean water work remains. According to the latest World Health Organization and UNICEF reporting, 1 in 4 people around the globe lack access to safe drinking water. That’s 2.1 billion people.

“This World Water Day, we invite retailers, partners and shoppers to choose produce that stands for more,” Perez says. “When you choose Water For All produce, you are not only choosing premium fruit and vegetables, but you are also making clean water possible in communities that deserve to thrive.”

To learn more about Continental Fresh’s Water For All program, visit continentalfresh.com/purpose . To learn more about World Water Day 2026, visit unwater.org .

The Protein Revolution Hits the Produce Aisle

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:27:13 GMT

Editor’s note: This column is part of an ongoing series , The 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, Retail Edition.

In my quest to eat more plants each week, I’ve been diving deep into the protein craze that seems to be taking over every aisle of the grocery store. By focusing on plants naturally higher in protein and keeping an eye out for innovative retail pairings, I’ve managed to stay energized while significantly expanding my plant roster.

Plants Known for Higher Protein

While most fruits and vegetables contain some protein, certain categories are particularly dense in this macronutrient:

Cruciferous vegetables — Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are surprisingly protein-dense for their calorie count. For example, one cup of cooked broccoli provides about 2.5 to 4 grams of protein.
Leafy greens — Spinach and kale contribute to your daily total, especially when consumed in larger cooked quantities; 1 cup of cooked spinach can offer nearly 3 grams of protein.
Legumes — Lentils, chickpeas and various beans are among the richest plant-based protein sources, often providing 15 to 18 grams per cooked cup.
Soy products — Edamame (young soybeans) is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids; 1 cup of cooked edamame contains approximately 17 to 18 grams of protein.
Seeds and grains — Ancient grains like quinoa (8 grams per cup) and seeds like hemp (10 grams per 3 tablespoons) are excellent additions to salads and bowls to boost protein intake.

Innovation in the Produce Aisle

The retail sector is responding to our protein needs with some truly creative solutions. Two companies of note are blending fresh produce with functional protein.

Naturipe Snacks recently launched SnackBites, which use real fruit, like blueberries, as the base for a high-protein treat.

(Photo courtesy of Naturipe Snacks)

Naturipe Snacks recently launched SnackBites, which uses real fruit, like blueberries, as the base for a high-protein treat. Each “Bite” contains 4 grams of protein (12 grams per pack) and includes the BC30 probiotic to support gut health while you get your protein fix.

“We wanted to develop a snack that keeps you energized and tastes great — something you actually look forward to eating,” says Steven Ware, vice president and general manager of Naturipe Snacks. “SnackBites hit that sweet spot: real ingredients, satisfying flavor and a serious nutrition boost. This is a bold new step for Naturipe in functional snacking.”

Naturipe is also continuing to innovate beyond the initial launch, with additional SnackBites packaging and flavors in development, including a dark chocolate-coated concept and another featuring strawberries.

Data shows snacking remains a mainstay of American eating habits, with nearly half of consumers now enjoying three or more snacks daily, a notable increase from last year, Naturipe says. This growth is fueled by increasing availability of health-focused options like fruit and protein bars.

Viral trends, portability and added nutritional functionality are now key factors shaping snack choices, signaling a continued shift toward smarter, more purposeful snacking. New research shows that 55% of consumers snack to satisfy hunger and 50% snack for pleasure, but motivations are broadening as more shoppers seek energy, nutrition and stress relief throughout the day.

“Snacking isn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Ware says. “Naturipe is exceptionally well-positioned to take advantage of this demand and bring nutritious options to consumers. SnackBites are a direct reflection of that mission, putting real fruit, protein and functional wellness benefits into one convenient bite.”

The new Taylor Farms protein-forward platform includes 11 products now available nationwide, with additional items expected to launch in the coming months.

(Photo courtesy of Taylor Farms)

Another innovator, Taylor Farms, has introduced a product platform designed to meet the increase in high-protein lifestyles.

“Consumers want more than just fresh; they want functional,” says Bryan Jaynes, senior vice president of product for Taylor Farms. “As nearly everyone is increasing their protein intake these days, this new product line combines the power of protein and fresh produce to help more people achieve their nutrition goals.”

“To provide salad and snack lovers with more protein, we created a first-of-its-kind platform to provide protein in snacks, salad kits and bowls,” says Charis Neves, vice president of product and innovation for Taylor Farms. “We added whey protein to the dressings and dips, increased the amount of cheese and included protein in the crunchy toppings.”

The new Taylor Farms protein-forward platform includes 11 products now available nationwide, with additional items expected to launch in the coming months. The line is supported by a national marketing campaign across social media, e-commerce, consumer advertising and in-store promotions.

Mini chopped salad kits — These include around 10 grams of protein by incorporating ingredients like pepitas and whey protein-enhanced dressings.
Protein salad bowls — Options like the Protein Southwest Salad Bowl (23 grams protein) and Protein Caesar Salad Bowl (20 grams protein) utilize grilled chicken and whey protein-infused croutons or dressings to meet high-protein demands.
Protein Power snacks — These portable packs combine fresh vegetables like broccoli and carrots with nuts, seeds and cheese, reaching up to 17 grams of protein per snack.

The Science of Plant Protein

When we talk about plant-based protein, variety is key. A study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis highlights that while some plants may lack certain essential amino acids, a varied diet — like the 30-plant challenge — ensures you get a complete profile through “protein complementation.” Essentially, by eating a wide range of plants throughout the week, your body gathers all the necessary building blocks it needs.

Retailer Insights

From a retail perspective, the shift toward functional produce is a major trend to watch.

Snacking as a meal replacement: Data shows that nearly half of consumers now eat three or more snacks a day, increasingly looking for options that satisfy hunger through high protein and fiber.
GLP-1 influence: Retailers are noticing that shoppers using GLP-1 medications are specifically seeking out high-protein and gut-health claims, making products like protein-packed snack bites and veggie trays with whey protein dips highly sought after.
Convenience meets function: The success of platforms like Taylor Farms’ 11-product protein line suggests that consumers are no longer satisfied with just fresh; they want their produce to work harder for them by providing the protein typically found in other parts of the store.

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The Secret History of the Edible City: How Tiny Gardens Once Fed the World

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:27:30 GMT

Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing Sowing Change series about urban farming.

We have been taught to view the city as a mouth, a concrete consumer that breathes in resources from the countryside and exhales waste. In this modern narrative, the urban garden is a charming hobby, a lifestyle choice of expensive heirloom tomatoes and aesthetic raised beds. But according to environmental historian Kate Brown , this version of history is a convenient fiction.

In research for her fifth book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning City,” Brown unearths a forgotten reality that cities were once the most productive agricultural hubs on the planet. To move forward, she argues, we must shift our mindset by distinguishing between self-provisioning and leisure gardening to create a resilient food source.

There are many ways to do so, both historically and now.

“I spoke with a woman recently in a town outside of Atlanta. She’s growing on a 12-acre urban organic farm that’s owned by the town’s parks and recreation department,” Brown says. “They have 1,200 volunteers and five farmers, two full-time. She told me they give away 95% of their food to people who need it, and the farm runs like a dream.”

By looking back at how we used to feed ourselves in urban landscapes, Brown proves that urban farming was a sophisticated, radical infrastructure of autonomy.

Paris: Making ‘Black Gold’ From Sand and Scraps

Brown points to 1900s Paris as the gold standard of urban efficiency. On plots that began as little more than sterile sand, 5,000 gardeners used the city’s abundance of horse manure to manufacture soil so rich it was treated like a movable asset. These farmers fed their neighbors as well as produced enough surplus to export vegetables across the English Channel.

Brown highlights this as the ultimate rebuttal to the idea that cities are naturally barren.

The Parisian model proves that with the right waste inputs, a city can be a net producer of life.

According to Brown, around 1900, Paris was home to approximately 5,000 urban farmers featuring:

Self-sufficiency — These farmers produced enough fruits and vegetables to feed 2 million residents, with enough surplus to export produce to London.
Innovative heating — They utilized the city’s waste, specifically a superabundance of horse manure, to create hotbeds. By covering these manure-heated beds with glass frames, they essentially created early greenhouses that allowed them to grow summer crops in the spring and spring crops in the winter.
High yields — Using these methods, they could harvest three to six crops a year from a single plot, achieving what Brown calls some of the highest agricultural yields in recorded history.
The legacy of soil — This process was so successful that when these farmers moved to different plots, they would often shovel up their topsoil and take it with them, as it was considered their most valuable physical asset.

By the turn of the century, this manufactured soil was so productive that a single acre could produce several times the yield of a traditional rural farm.

Berlin: Gardens as a Radical Safety Net

The Arbor Colonies of Berlin functioned as essential hubs for social resilience. These radically egalitarian garden subsistence settlements provided housing and cultivation space for over 150,000 Berliners between 1870 and 1970. Factory workers used these plots as primary residences to find relief from the city’s dense urban housing. Throughout the 20th century, the colonies also served as active sites of political resistance, offering both literal and figurative sanctuary for those seeking cover from the Gestapo.

Brown says that as people were pushed off land in the countryside and moved to the cities, they brought with them knowledge about how to garden.

“The people who come to cities know how to farm, and they know how to garden. They’ve all had big fields and small garden plots, and they have a notion of what to do with wastes and how to reclaim wasted land and regenerate it,” Brown says. “And so they go to Berlin, and during the 1860s, 1870s, all around Berlin is sand dunes. There are sand dunes there because there used to be wetlands. The wetlands were dried up ... so farmers built anthrosols, human-engineered soils. I have these photos I got out of the archives, and you can almost time-lapse the progress.”

Brown says the archival photos show this transformation: It begins with tiny houses struggling in the sand with withered plants. Over time, the gardens flourish. By 1890, these green shanty towns were buried under lush, towering vegetation. This was possible because cities act like a nutrient delta; by capturing the constant stream of organic waste instead of discarding it, residents built rich soil that allowed them to grow massive amounts of food right in the heart of the city.

In Berlin, the movement was as much about social safety nets as it was about food:

The Arbor Colonies — Starting in the 1870s, factory workers moved into wild gardens on the city’s periphery to escape disease-ridden tenements. By 1900, roughly 50,000 households were part of these Arbor Colonies.
Political sanctuary — During the Nazi era, these working-class garden plots served a radical purpose as they were used to harbor dissidents and Jewish residents.

Washington, D.C.: Community and Homeownership

Closer to home, Brown highlights how Black migrants from the American South transformed the landscape of Washington, D.C. By raising livestock and orchards on small urban plots, these families didn’t just achieve food security; the income generated from selling surplus produce often provided the funds necessary for homeownership. This was a system of financial autonomy that built generational wealth before mid-century urban renewal projects disrupted these thriving community-based systems, Brown says.

In the early 20th century, Black residents in D.C. turned systemic neglect into a source of wealth. Because their neighborhoods lacked city services like garbage collection, residents treated waste as a resource.

“They used all their organic garbage to compost ... they used what was in the privies to compost,” Brown says, adding that garbage was so valuable the city eventually had to pass laws restricting where people could collect it.

By the 1940s, this neighborhood had the highest rates of homeowner occupancy in the city. As Brown puts it: “They do it not with subsidies or federal help ... they do it with vegetable-powered wealth.”

In early 20th-century D.C., gardening was a tool for overcoming systemic inequality:

Black Southern migrants — African American migrants moving to D.C. brought Southern traditions of self-provisioning with them.
Financial autonomy — In neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, residents built small farms with orchards, berry bushes and livestock like pigs and chickens. The income generated from selling this surplus produce often provided the funds necessary for homeownership.
Disruption — Brown notes that these thriving community-based systems were later largely disrupted by mid-century urban renewal projects.

The ‘Dirty’ Truth About Urban Soil

Addressing the modern fear of lead and pollutants, Brown draws on her extensive work in post-disaster environments, including Chernobyl, to offer a pragmatic path forward. She recognizes that “one of the biggest hurdles for urban farmers is the fear of soil contamination and urban pollutants.”

However, her global research, from the USSR to the U.S., suggests that we can safely navigate the reality of growing food in disturbed environments. By understanding the history of how we have handled contamination, we can move past anxiety and back into the dirt, transforming waste spaces into the permanent infrastructure of the 21st century.

Ultimately, Brown’s work asks us to consider a final philosophical shift. When asked what a tiny, 10-square-foot urban plot can teach us that a 1,000-acre industrial farm cannot, the answer lies in the connection to the system itself.

“One thing it can teach us is about the metabolism of our cities. Our cities are rich in organic materials. All we need to do is just make a compost pile and build soil. So, that’s one thing,” Brown says. “Once you have good soils, you have turned the hard work of farming, which is often about killing things, right? Kill the microbes, you kill the weeds, you kill the insects, kill, kill, kill. And that’s waging war on the environment. The farmers are the soldiers out in the field, and they do it with the tools of war. You repurpose bulldozers and turn tanks into tractors, and you repurpose nitrites into chemical fertilizers, and you repurpose chemical agents of chemical warfare into insecticides and pesticides. War is a lot of work, and it’s not pleasant. People don’t like it.

“Gardening, though, we consider recreation, and the reason we consider [it] recreation is because a good gardener works with the environment, not against it,” Brown adds.

Brown’s insights are validation of the small-scale grower as a vital part of a global solution: a tiny garden that holds the key to the future of the self-provisioning city.

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Loblaw and Flashfood Helped Canadians Save $58M on Groceries in 2025

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:43:17 GMT

Loblaw and Flashfood are marking another year of delivering savings to customers while advancing efforts to reduce food waste across Canada. Through the Flashfood program, quality food nearing its best-before date ends up on tables instead of going to waste, creating value for customers and reducing environmental impact across hundreds of Loblaw banner stores nationwide.

In 2025, this partnership saw more than 21 million pounds of food diverted from landfill and saved customers more than $58 million on groceries, and it continued to expand its reach, welcoming more than 92,000 new Flashfood shoppers nationwide, according to the companies.

Through Flashfood , customers can save up to 50% on everyday essentials. Deals span a range of categories, including meat, dairy, seafood, fresh produce, prepared foods and more. Purchases are completed directly in the app, with orders picked up from the designated Flashfood Zone inside participating Loblaw stores.

Since launching in 2019, the Loblaw and Flashfood partnership has diverted more than 105 million pounds of potential food waste from landfill, supporting the goal of Loblaw to send zero food to landfill by 2030.

“Reducing food waste takes practical solutions at scale — and it works best when it’s easy for our customers to take part in,” says Jonathan Carroll, senior vice president, superstore operations and enterprise champion of food waste reduction initiatives for Loblaw. “Through our partnership with Flashfood, shoppers can purchase good food at a discounted price before it goes to waste, helping keep it out of landfill while getting great value on everyday groceries.”

“Loblaw has been an exceptional collaborator from the beginning of our partnership together,” says Flashfood CEO Jordan Schenck. “They have consistently demonstrated industry leadership by embracing innovation that improves the lives of their shoppers. Their commitment to our shared mission has brought Flashfood to every province across the country and helped thousands of Canadians put fresh, affordable food on the table.”

First launched at Maxi grocery stores in 2019, Flashfood is available in over 900 Loblaw grocery stores and franchise locations across Canada, including select No Frills, Maxi, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Atlantic Superstore, Loblaws, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, Provigo and Dominion stores in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Growing 200K Salads: How Milwaukee Schools Are Redefining Urban Food Access

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:48:39 GMT

Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing Sowing Change series about urban farming.

Fork Farms is redefining what it means to be a food access technology company. While traditional agriculture relies on long, complex supply chains stretching from places like Yuma, Ariz., to California’s Salinas Valley, Fork Farms focuses on a decentralized model of growing fresh food exactly where people live, work and learn.

By providing highly efficient, plug-and-play hydroponic systems, the company is solving the common challenge of fresh food scarcity across diverse sectors, including hospitals, food pantries and large-scale commercial environments, such as Fortune 500 company Rockwell Automation.

“No matter what the application is, we’re always trying to build systems and programs and products just to allow people to grow fresh food, whether it’s where they live or work or it’s a community center,” says Josh Mahlik, vice president of sales for Fork Farms.

The reach of this Wisconsin-based company now extends to approximately 5,000 partners across U.S. and internationally. In the Caribbean, for example, their technology is used to build food resiliency in the Cayman Islands and Barbados, providing a local alternative to vulnerable international supply chains. Whether in a hospital wing or a community center, the goal remains consistent: to create a positive perception of fresh food and ensure that it is economically viable to produce, with most growers operating at a cost of less than $1 per pound.

Forest Home Avenue School students learn about fresh produce.

(Photo courtesy of Fork Farms)

The Milwaukee Public Schools Partnership

While Fork Farms spans multiple industries, its eight-year partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools serves as an example of how this technology can be integrated into the fabric of a community. What began as a science experiment has evolved into a legitimate, districtwide food supply chain that provides students with significant agency over what they grow.

The engine behind this success is the Flex Farm, a unit roughly the size of a standard refrigerator that uses a patented utility design. By placing a light tower in the center and closing the hydroponic unit around it, the system achieves remarkable density:

High yield — Each system features 288 grow spots, producing approximately 25 pounds of fresh produce every month.
Efficiency — The design makes local food practical at scale within existing buildings and real estate.
Ancillary benefits — Beyond nutrition, these units improve the learning environment by lowering carbon dioxide levels in classrooms by about 200 parts per million, which can lead to better student attention and behavior.

The impact in Milwaukee extends far beyond the cafeteria. At Vincent High School, a grow room with 12 units fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, with students sprouting and selling tomato seedlings at annual plant sales. The program also uses a formative platform offering 44 NGS-aligned curriculum items and a micro-credentialing badging program to prepare students for the future workforce.

Perhaps most importantly, the program creates a bridge to the home. Mahlik notes that when students take home the kale or marigolds they have grown, it has a resonance that traditional grocery store produce lacks. This intergenerational impact often shifts household habits, as parents report being more likely to purchase fresh vegetables after seeing their children’s excitement and pride in their harvest, according to the company.

As the partnership enters its eighth year, what was once a novelty has become the norm, with some graduates even moving on to pursue agricultural degrees through land-grant scholarships.

“My dream for [the schools] is that every student, at least, gets the opportunity to grow their own food at some point while they’re in school,” Mahlik says.

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OTA reports $76B in Sales of Organic Products

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:09:25 GMT

The Organic Trade Association reports U.S. sales of certified organic products accelerated in 2025, reaching $76.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 6.8%. The organization, citing these figures from its 2026 Organic Market Report, says organics grew at double the rate of the comparable marketplace in 2025, which was 3.4%.

“For the third year in a row, organic has grown faster than the total market, which indicates shoppers are prioritizing their health and the planet and are willing to pay a premium for it,” says OTA co-CEO Tom Chapman. “In a crowded marketplace, the USDA Organic seal stands as a clear mark of trust for consumers of all ages who are focused on their health and the well-being of their families.”

OTA says organic sales were led by organic produce, which the organization says serves as the key entry point for organic consumers. Organic produce accounts for nearly 30% of the total organic sales with a growth rate of 5.3% and $22.7 billion in total sales.

Berries remain on top of the organic produce category with sales rising to $4.4 billion, an increase of 10.5%. Citrus sales climbed 18.1%, while bananas also experienced double-digit growth at 12.6% to reach the $1 billion mark.

OTA says the survey shows the USDA Organic seal remained a constant source of trust and confidence with consumers. The research reveals younger generations consider the impact of production on people, planet and animals when making their purchase decisions, with an increased interest in transparency and sustainability. However, OTA says its research consistently shows that while consumers value all the attributes in organic, more education and visibility on organic attributes would help new consumers make the connection to what USDA organic certification stands for.

“Organic has unique assets for growth, notably that the USDA Organic seal has strong consumer recognition and the highest level of trust in a certification,” says OTA co-CEO Matthew Dillon. “With that in mind, we launched the ‘Seal Makes It Simple’ integrated marketing campaign in September 2025 to deliver relatable, scientifically proven information about the benefits of organic and the power of the seal. The fact that the campaign has already exceeded our expectations tells us that consumers are hungry for credible information and that organic is capturing their attention and driving purchase, which is a win for everyone.”

OTA says long-term outlook for organic forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%, which has remained consistent since 2016, and annual organic sales are projected to increase by another $24 billion over the next five years. OTA says organic sales are projected to cross the $100 billion in sales threshold in 2030.

Bee Better Certified Streamlines Certification Process, On-Pack Seal Use

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:21:42 GMT

Bee Better Certified, a third-party verified eco-label by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation that certifies farms for pollinator and biodiversity conservation, has officially brought its licensing program in-house. Bee Better Certified says the move creates a more streamlined, cost-effective process for certified growers and the brands that source from them.

By eliminating the need for a third-party licensing partner, Bee Better Certified can offer reduced licensing fees and a simpler licensing experience for growers and brands, according to a news release.

Bee Better Certified says licensees will now work directly with its team, ensuring clearer guidance, faster communication and a more efficient path from certification to on-pack use — all while increasing the visibility of verified pollinator-friendly practices at the shelf.

“This change reflects our commitment to making pollinator protection more accessible and more visible across the food system,” says Cameron Newell, program manager for Bee Better Certified. “Using the Bee Better seal on packaging is a powerful way for growers and brands to show their commitment to pollinator-friendly farming. When shoppers see the seal, they know the product supports healthy ecosystems and responsible agricultural practices.”

As retailers continue to adopt and strengthen pollinator and integrated pest management sourcing requirements, the Bee Better seal offers a credible, third-party verified way for brands to communicate their commitment at the point of purchase, says the Bee Better team, which adds that on-pack use of the seal helps reinforce trust, supports retailer compliance and connects shoppers with farms that are actively protecting pollinators and biodiversity.

Bee Better Certified , a program of The Xerces Society , is a third-party verified eco-label that certifies farms for pollinator and biodiversity conservation. The program promotes and verifies agricultural practices that support pollinators, protect ecosystems and foster long-term agricultural resilience through rigorous, science-based standards, the certifier says.

Bee Better Certified says it works across the supply chain to help growers, brands and retailers meet pollinator protection goals while providing shoppers with confidence that certified products support pollinator-friendly farming.

The Magic Behind Produce: Helping Kids Discover Plants One Bite at a Time

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:00:04 GMT

Editor’s note: This column is part of an ongoing series , “The 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, Retail Edition.”

If you’ve ever tried to convince a child to eat broccoli or spinach, you’ve likely seen the resistance.

Even so, research and experience say that it’s best to keep trying; the more often children are exposed to different plant foods, the more likely they are to accept and eventually enjoy them.

That’s one reason the idea behind the 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge resonates beyond adults trying to improve gut health. The concept can also help reshape how kids experience food.

Kevin Hoban, founder of the YouTube Kids channel “ Captain & Cat ,” has discovered that curiosity can be a powerful gateway to healthy eating. The channel recently launched a series highlighting fruits and vegetables, beginning with an episode about SugarBee apples that has already drawn more than 500,000 views.

Hoban says the goal isn’t to lecture kids about nutrition: It’s to spark excitement.

“We like to lead with awe and wonder,” Hoban says. “Whether that’s how many apples get picked from one orchard (millions) or the incredible speed at which a factory can sort and package apples, the more we can point to the ‘magic’ behind the fruit, the better.”

That sense of enthusiasm is contagious, he says. When farmers talk about their crops with passion, kids pick up on it.

“We find that if we’re excited, and the farmer is excited, that’s a great way to get kids excited about eating something healthy too,” Hoban explains.

The project goes beyond videos. The team has partnered with hundreds of preschools, sending classrooms a package that includes the video, an activity worksheet and a bag of SugarBee apples.

Kevin Hoban, founder of the YouTube Kids channel Captain & Cat, has discovered that curiosity can be a powerful gateway to healthy eating.

(Photo courtesy of Captain & Cat)

For Hoban, the real goal is long-term.

“At home, kids can be set in their ways in terms of what they like and don’t like to eat,” he says. “But at school, a child is much more open to trying something new because it’s an unexpected and fun detour from the typical school day.”

Programs that connect food with discovery show up in other places, too.

For example, Tomatosphere is an education program that recently sent 1.2 million tomato seeds into orbit aboard a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station. When the seeds return to Earth, they’ll be distributed to classrooms where students will grow them and study how space conditions affect plant growth.

The project uses space exploration to introduce students to scientific inquiry and agriculture at the same time.

Rick Falconer, president of the First the Seed Foundation, says the goal is to spark curiosity about how food is grown.

“Educating students about the seed industry is vital to building inspiration and interest in agricultural careers,” Falconer says.

When kids grow a plant, study it or even hear the story behind how it was produced, they begin to see food differently. It stops being an unfamiliar object on a plate and becomes something they understand.

And that’s where the 30-plant-per-week idea can become powerful for families. The key is exposure; whether it’s a new fruit at snack time, lettuce on a sandwich, a handful of berries or a taste of roasted vegetables, each encounter builds familiarity.

For adults pursuing gut health, those extra plants feed the microbiome. For kids, they do that and more. They build curiosity, confidence and a lifelong relationship with food that begins one plant at a time.

Why Early Exposure to Plants Matters

A large-scale analysis published in 2023 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health tracked minimum dietary diversity across global populations and found a direct, linear correlation between plant food variety (legumes, nuts, orange/yellow vegetables and leafy greens) and the prevention of stunting and wasting.

When it comes to cardiovascular health, research published in 2021 in the Journal of the American Heart Association followed children into adulthood and found that those with high plant-centered diets in childhood had a 52% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease decades later.

As stated in “ The Lasting Influences of Early Food-Related Variety Experience ,” this longitudinal study tracked children from 5 months to 6 years of age, proving that high vegetable variety at the start of weaning leads to significantly higher acceptance of new foods later in childhood.

Retailer Insights

Retailers can play a key role in helping families expand kids’ exposure to fruits and vegetables, turning curiosity into healthier habits.

Lean into storytelling — Kids respond to the magic behind food. Signage or QR codes linking to short videos about how apples are grown or how tomatoes travel from seed to store can make produce more engaging for families.
Create kid-friendly discovery zones — A small “Try Something New” display featuring two or three seasonal fruits or vegetables each week can encourage families to add an unfamiliar plant to their cart.
Partner with schools and community groups — Programs that introduce produce in classrooms — through tastings, seed kits or educational materials — can extend into retail with in-store promotions or take-home recipe cards.
Make it interactive — Coloring sheets, stickers, scavenger hunts in the produce department or simple “30 plants tracker” cards can turn a shopping trip into a game for children.
Bundle for convenience — Retailers can assemble small plant variety packs that combine several fruits or vegetables, helping parents easily add diversity to meals without extra planning.

The more often children see, touch and taste different plants, the more likely those foods become part of their everyday diet. Homes, schools, the internet and retailers can all help make those first introductions happen.

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GlobalG.A.P. North America, Agraya Changemaker Award to Spotlight Women Farmers

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:29:36 GMT

In this year of the United Nations International Year of the Woman Farmer, GlobalG.A.P. North America, a subsidiary of Agraya GmbH, says it is reaffirming its commitment to supporting efforts that strengthen the equality and visibility of women farmers through the Agraya Changemaker Awards 2026.

Initially launched in 2024, the next ceremony will take place in Bologna, Italy, as part of the Agraya Summit 2026, Oct. 27-29. Closely aligned with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the award and summit agenda discussions focused on the topic of women farmers will seek to highlight initiatives, elevate the voices driving change and encourage collaboration toward a more resilient and transparent value chain, organizers say.

From managing farms to leading cooperatives and driving innovation in rural communities, women help build resilience across farming communities, contribute to food security and support the long‑term viability of agricultural systems, Agraya says. Yet many women continue to face structural barriers, including limited access to land, financing, technology and networks.

“At Agraya, our purpose is to shape a sustainable future where agriculture strengthens communities and protects ecosystems with lasting impact. And women are equally central to that work,” says Elmé Coetzer‑Boersma, CEO of Agraya. “We at Agraya highlight the essential role women play in global agricultural supply chains. Across our work with farmers, producer groups and value chain partners, we see where progress is required.

“Women’s contributions are often undervalued, and access to resources remains unequal,” Coetzer‑Boersma continues. “By supporting farmers and communities worldwide with guidance on discrimination‑free agricultural production processes, we actively help uplifting women farmers in their communities. Building on our expertise with additional initiatives like our Agraya Changemaker Awards, we expand on opportunities to reflect and recognize women’s leadership and daily achievements in global farming value chains.”

The 2026 Changemaker Awards will feature categories for innovation, community impact and sustainability, says Christy Slay, CEO of The Sustainability Consortium and a member of the 2026 Changemaker Awards jury.

“As a jury, we will be looking for applications that inspire with the transformative role of women in farming,” she says.

The 2026 Changemaker Awards jury also includes Stephanie Finkbeiner, chief sustainability officer at Edeka Zentrale Stiftung & Co. KG; Diana Gaglietti, of an agri‑food consultancy and auditing firm; Manal Saleh, Blue Moon Ltd., a consultancy and training for smallholders; and Felipe Fuentelsaz, markets and standards, WWF España.

The Changemaker Awards encourage entries that showcase initiatives advancing the vital role of women in agriculture and the efforts helping to overcome the barriers they encounter. Applications can be submitted via agraya.com/changemaker-2026 .

The application page includes eligibility criteria, timelines and guidance for submitting proposals. Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2026.

“Throughout my life, I have seen firsthand that women are essential to the strength of agriculture,” says Roberta Anderson, president of GlobalG.A.P. North America. “Across the United States and Canada, women farmers are a driving force behind the viability of our farms, the stewardship of our natural environments and the resilience of our rural communities. Their leadership, knowledge and commitment define agriculture today and secure it for future generations. Please join GlobalG.A.P. North America in encouraging applications from our region of the world for the Agraya Changemaker Awards.”

LocalDutch Merges High-Tech Greenhouses With Urban Retail to Create the Future of Fresh

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:44:32 GMT

In an era where global supply chains are increasingly fragile and food deserts persist across the U.S., a Dutch agri-tech firm is proposing a radical shift in how we grow and buy our groceries. LocalDutch , headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, has unveiled its plan to roll out Urban Farm Shops — a standardized, scalable model that merges high-tech greenhouse production with neighborhood retail under one roof.

The concept is a direct response to a growing paradox in modern agriculture. While the demand for fresh, local produce is at an all-time high, the specialized expertise required to run high-performance greenhouses is becoming increasingly scarce.

LocalDutch’s solution is a proprietary “climate autopilot.” This artificial intelligence-driven system manages the internal environment of its shops by integrating external weather data, internal sensors and validated growth models. By automating the complex biology of farming, the company says it can neutralize regional extremes, from the humid Southeast to the arid Southwest, without needing a master grower on-site at every location.

“What we are bringing to the United States is truly Dutch technology, applied in a way that is both effective and easy to scale,” says Arne Spliet, co-founder of LocalDutch. “In a sector where skilled specialists are rare, our system automates that work to ensure consistent production. That is exactly what many communities urgently need.”

Rather than targeting a specific demographic, the U.S. rollout is prioritizing intersection points where fresh food access is low but demand and municipal support are high. This includes both dense urban centers like Chicago and New York, as well as peri-urban areas where land may be available but supply chains remain inefficient.

By positioning these shops as neighborhood food infrastructure, LocalDutch has been able to navigate notoriously difficult U.S. zoning laws, pitching its sites as a mix of community-serving retail and local job creators.

Rather than targeting a specific demographic, the U.S. rollout is prioritizing intersection points where fresh food access is low but demand and municipal support are high.

(Digital rendering courtesy of LocalDutch)

“Our format is compact and standardized, so we select sites based on demand and real estate fundamentals, not just a label,” says Catherine Wilsbach, local impactor for LocalDutch.

While the growing process is handled by algorithms, the storefront remains intentionally human. LocalDutch isn’t looking to replace the weekly supermarket trip. Instead, it aims to enhance it.

The shops are designed to function as social meeting points, capturing the transparency and trust of a traditional farmers market but with the year-round consistency of a daily market. Because the AI handles the farming, local teams can be recruited for their retail and community engagement skills rather than agricultural degrees.

“We’re building on something that already resonates strongly in the U.S.: the desire to know where your food comes from. Farmers markets have shown that Americans value transparency, local growers and a direct connection to their food,” Wilsbach says. “LocalDutch brings that same trust and visibility into a year-round, neighborhood setting. Customers can see their produce growing just steps from the shelf, combining the authenticity of a farmers market with the convenience of a daily market.”

Economically, the model is built for resilience. Revenue is generated through a hybrid of direct retail sales, community supported agriculture memberships and last-mile delivery partnerships. This flexibility allows each shop to adapt to its specific local market while maintaining a consistent operational backbone.

As LocalDutch establishes its U.S. offices, the goal remains clear: to prove that the future of food isn’t just about growing more; it’s about growing closer to the people who eat it. By shrinking the distance between the vine and the shelf to just a few steps, LocalDutch is betting that the next great American grocery staple will be a Dutch-grown model with a local heart.

With plans to launch in the U.S. this year, the initial locations are planned to be in Pennsylvania, “capitalizing on the strong local food production and historical strength in agriculture,” Wilsbach says.

LocalDutch highlights the following about its approach:

Fresh and affordable vegetables — Quality matters; locally produced deliciousness that’s cheaper than supermarkets.
Farm-to-fork — Locally produced food gives zero food miles and no food waste.
Standardized build — The build of the LocalDutch Shop is prefabricated and just has to be assembled on site.
Expertise — LocalDutch says it arose from long-lasting controlled environment agriculture knowledge.

Read more about the LocalDutch story, background in the greenhouse sector and ideas on how to bring affordable fresh food to many different places on Stories of Purpose , a storytelling initiative by The Hague.

4 Powerhouse Plants to Supercharge Your Weekly Variety

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:34:58 GMT

Editor’s note: This column is part of an ongoing series , “The 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, Retail Edition.”

For anyone taking on the 30 Different Plants Per Week Challenge, the retail aisles are currently bursting with some serious nutritional heavy hitters.

While the challenge is often about quantity, recent research highlighted by several major growers reminds us that quality and variety are just as vital for our long-term resilience. From protecting your heart to boosting your mood, here are four powerhouse plants to add to your rotation this week, followed by actionable ways retailers can promote these habits.

The Fiber Foundation: Apples

We often hear that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but the current push from Honeybear Brands is specifically focused on the “why.” With March being National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it is a perfect time to remember that apples are a premier source of fiber.

This is critical, because roughly 97% of men and 90% of women in the U.S. do not meet their daily fiber needs. By keeping the peel on your apples, you consume phytochemicals like flavonoids and polyphenols that help fight certain cancers. Beyond digestive health and cancer protection, emerging research shows fiber can even protect our brains by slowing down symptoms of cognitive decline.

Whether you slice them into a salad or pair them with peanut butter, they are a simple, affordable way to sneak more preventive nutrition into your day.

“We know shoppers are looking to make informed choices. They are aware of fiber’s contribution to good gut health, which supports overall health,” says Kristi Harris, marketing director for Honeybear Brands. “And with apples, it’s easy to sneak more fiber into our diets. Whether you take an apple with you as an on-the-go snack, slice it up instead of chips for lunch or add to a dish for dinner, apples deliver on taste and health in spades. Plus, they are very affordable.”

The Mood Booster: Blueberries

If you find yourself feeling a bit more optimistic after your morning smoothie, it might not just be the caffeine. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, a new study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition suggests that women who consumed a diet containing flavonoid-rich foods scored higher in feelings of happiness and optimism over time.

Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds present in a variety of plant foods. However, the researchers found that women who consumed approximately three servings per day of flavonoid-rich foods such as blueberries, strawberries, apples and citrus fruits demonstrated a 3% to 16% greater likelihood of sustained happiness and optimism.

The results suggest a bidirectional relationship, where women who maintained higher levels of happiness and optimism were more likely to sustain a healthier, flavonoid-rich diet over time.

“What we found most compelling is the potential for a ‘virtuous cycle’ between diet and mental outlook,” says lead researcher Aedin Cassidy. “Not only do flavonoid-rich foods like berries and apples appear to bolster long-term happiness and optimism, but women who feel better are also more likely to maintain those healthy habits. It suggests that simple, everyday dietary choices can be a powerful tool for supporting psychological resilience as we age.”

The Heart-Healthy Power Couple: Mango and Avocado

Perhaps the most exciting news for your weekly menu is the discovery of a superfruit pairing that targets heart health. Research from the Illinois Institute of Technology recently found that combining an avocado and 1 cup of mango daily can support key markers of cardiovascular wellness. In a study of adults with prediabetes, this specific combination led to improved blood vessel function and a reduction in diastolic blood pressure.

Individually, these two fruits are already nutritional heavyweights. Mangoes provide over 20 different vitamins and minerals, while avocados offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and zero sugar. To make these a staple, you might try Mango Avocado Spring Rolls or Easy Mango Chicken Stir Fry .

For those looking for culturally relevant ways to manage health, chef Pati Jinich and Avocados From Mexico are currently promoting diabetes-friendly recipes like Lime Rubbed Chicken Tacos that use the healthy fats of avocado to create meals that are both nutritious and traditional.

By integrating these four plants, you aren’t just checking off a list; you are actively fueling your body’s defense systems.

Retail Insights

For retail grocers, these research findings offer a goldmine for seasonal merchandising and community engagement. Since March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Honeybear Brands is already encouraging retailers to use point-of-sale materials featuring the recognized blue ribbon to remind shoppers of the vital link between apple consumption and cancer prevention.

Because most Americans currently fall short of their daily fiber requirements, high-visibility signage near apple displays can serve as a helpful nudge for customers looking to improve their gut health and reduce disease risk.

Beyond apples, there is a significant opportunity to cross-promote mangoes and avocados together. Given the new research suggesting that eating these two fruits daily can improve blood vessel function and blood pressure, grocers might consider “Heart-Health Bundle” displays, placing fresh mangoes and avocados in the same refrigerated or ambient endcap — perhaps alongside recipe cards.

Finally, retailers can tap into the virtuous cycle of mental well-being by highlighting flavonoid-rich fruits like blueberries and strawberries near the checkout or in the front of the produce department. By framing these fruits as tools for psychological resilience and optimism, you move the conversation beyond simple dieting and into the realm of total holistic wellness.

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Tackling Produce Waste: Retail Strategies and the Path to 2030

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:06:37 GMT

Food waste remains one of the most significant challenges in the retail sector, particularly within the produce department.

According to ReFED’s Food Waste Monitor , 70.7 million tons of surplus food were generated in all sectors across all states in 2024. Of this, produce represented 32.1 million tons, or 45.3%. To combat this, retailers are increasingly turning to innovative technology and collaborative pacts to recover value and reduce environmental impact.

Too Good To Go: Turning Surplus into Opportunity

Too Good To Go has emerged as a solution for retailers looking to mitigate the loss of surplus food. By using its Surprise Bag model, the platform allows retailers to sell items that are nearing their best-before date — especially highly perishable produce — at a discounted price to consumers.

Too Good To Go’s new white paper, “ Retail’s $348B Problem, ” examines the scale of surplus-driven revenue loss in U.S. grocery and why food waste is shifting from an operational concern to a material profitability question.

The company says the environmental and operational impact of this model is measurable:

Emissions and resources — Across the U.S., unsold or uneaten food is responsible for 24% of landfill inputs and 3.5% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Retail reach — In 2024 alone, the Too Good To Go community saved over 135 million meals. Major retailers, including Whole Foods Market, have integrated this system to manage daily inventory fluctuations that would otherwise result in shrink.
Financial recovery — Beyond sustainability, the platform enables retailers to recover the wholesale cost of goods that would otherwise represent a total loss, creating a “win-win-win” for the business, the consumer and the planet, according to the company.
Since its launch in the U.S. in 2020, Too Good To Go says it has helped its network of partners recover an extra $139.8 million in added revenue.

The practical application of these surplus-reduction strategies is best illustrated through the direct insights and data provided by Whole Foods Market and Pemberton Farms, the company says, showcasing how both national and local retailers are navigating the operational challenges of produce waste.

Pemberton Farms , Boston
By the numbers:

Pemberton Farms has earned $47,659 in recovered revenue since partnering with Too Good To Go.
That revenue is a direct result of the 12,280-plus meals it has saved from going to waste through the Too Good To Go app; this can include everything from prepared foods and bakery items to bags stocked with produce that might not be as pretty but is still perfectly good.
The store has had an 87% return rate among new shoppers who have visited the store for the first time through Too Good To Go.

“Too Good To Go has done so many other things for our business that we never could have put a metric on in the beginning,” says Greg Saidnawey, store manager for Pemberton Farms. “One of the biggest things is just how much foot traffic gets pushed into the store. And once people are in here, we pride ourselves on being the kind of place where the whole store becomes an impulse buy.”

Whole Foods Market , multiple locations
By the numbers:

Whole Foods Market initially piloted its collaboration with Too Good To Go in 2023, launching two Too Good To Go Surprise Bag product categories across seven store locations.
Following a successful pilot, the program expanded in 2024 to more than 430 stores, and within six months, it scaled nationwide to all 530-plus locations.
After demonstrating consistent operational success at the national level, Whole Foods Market further deepened the collaboration by introducing seven additional product categories across more than 530 stores. The expansion significantly increased its food surplus recovery, aided its goals of cutting food waste in half by 2030 and further embedded waste reduction into everyday store operations.

“We believe every effort to reduce food waste is an opportunity to make a difference as part of our purpose to nourish people and the planet,” says Caitlin Leibert, vice president of sustainability for Whole Foods Market. “Expanding our collaboration with Too Good To Go into even more departments is a simple yet powerful way to bring value to our customers and communities while helping build a more sustainable food future, one meal at a time.”

The U.S. Food Waste Pact: Industrywide Progress

While individual platforms like Too Good To Go address immediate surplus, the U.S. Food Waste Pact focuses on systemic change through data transparency and collective action. The 2025 Impact Report highlights a pivotal shift in how the retail industry manages its supply chain.

Key findings from the Pact’s retail signatories include:

Reduction in unsold food — Retailers participating in the pact reported a 1.1% decrease in unsold food rates from 2023 to 2024. This improvement is particularly notable as it occurred despite an overall increase in the total volume of food handled by these businesses.
Economic gains — This reduction in waste translated to a $15.9 million decrease in the wholesale cost of surplus food, proving that efficiency in the produce aisle directly bolsters the bottom line.
Collaborative scale — The pact has nearly doubled its signatory base, now including major players such as Aldi US, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.
Pilot success — Targeted pilot projects within the pact have demonstrated that focused interventions can lead to waste reductions of over 50% in specific categories, providing a roadmap for broader implementation across the retail landscape.

Through the combination of consumer-facing apps and rigorous industrywide reporting, the retail sector is moving closer to the national goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030.