ReGen Brands Podcast

On this episode of the ReGen Brands podcast, we're closing a major chapter and celebrating everything that's made it so powerful. Kyle is officially stepping away as the show's regularly scheduled co-host. In this heartfelt conversation, Kyle shares what's driving this decision, and we both reflect on the journey to date. You'll hear behind-the-scenes stories, favorite moments, some laughs (of course), and a lot of love. And although I'm losing my co-host for the podcast, Kyle isn't saying goodbye to the regenerative movement - he's just shifting how he plans to contribute. Plus, you already know I'm recruiting him back for as many guest co-host episodes as possible, so this is definitely not the last time you'll hear his voice on the show. Tune in as we mark this moment, say thank you, and look forward to what's next, together. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Eric Smith who is the Founder and CEO of Edacious. Edacious offers radically easy lab testing and intuitive nutrition software for food system professionals. They're working on turning nutrition data into actionable insights for people and planetary health. Eric's on a mission to redefine food quality using hard data. Through his work at Edacious, he's helping brands measure, benchmark, and communicate the nutritional value of their products so consumers can truly understand what they're eating. We explore:   Why the current Nutrition Facts Panel fails us How nutrient density can drive real market demand for regen products What kinds of data regenerative brands should be gathering now And how Edacious is building a first-of-its-kind food quality benchmarking system You'll hear Eric break down complex concepts like bioavailability and phytochemicals in clear, actionable ways – plus explain how regenerative brands can use this data to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. If we weren't already super bullish on how nutrient density can create increased demand for regenerative products, then we definitely are now. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Mary Purdy who is the Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Alliance.   The Nutrient Density Alliance's purpose is to ignite awareness and mobilize action around the nutritional benefits and improved food quality of soil-building regenerative agriculture to drive demand for a more sustainable food system and improve human health outcomes.   You've heard us talk a lot about how the increased nutrient density of regenerative foods will be a powerful marketing mechanism to increase demand for regenerative products and spur more adoption of regenerative agriculture. Well, Mary and her team at the NDA are at the forefront of those efforts.   In this episode, Mary shares powerful insights on the science linking healthier soil to more nutrient-dense food, the urgent need for research and clinical trials, and why dietitians, farmers, and brands must work together. We explore the regulatory landscape, the importance of using clear consumer language, and how the industry can avoid greenwashing while advancing nutrient density claims.   We also tackle some big questions: Why aren't dietitians and food service professionals being trained to understand the connection between farming practices and nutrition? What practical steps can brands take to communicate nutrient density without regulatory risk? And how can regenerative brands get healthcare influencers involved to drive demand?   We're talking phytochemicals, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and all things at the intersection of soil health, human health, and regenerative marketing. Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we're joined by Joseph Cassinelli, who is the Founder and President of El Nacho.   El Nacho is supporting regenerative agriculture with their line of tortilla chips made with certified regenerative corn.   In this episode, Joe shares how El Nacho was born during the pandemic and how it turned him from a seasoned restaurateur to a new CPG Founder. He details the importance of their clean ingredients, ancient processing techniques, and intentional sourcing decisions to produce a bold, flavorful chip that is better for eaters, farmers, and the planet.   We get a behind-the-scenes look at their brand inspiration and desire to bring storytelling and joy to the snack aisle with their bold lucha libre-inspired characters like El Nacho, Ms. Mango, and El Diablo. Joe also gives his hot takes on how we can increase consumer demand for regenerative products, and shares some top-secret information about their innovation pipeline.   Grab some chips and guac and dial in on this one.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we're joined by Brady Barnstable, Co-Founder and COO of Seven Sundays. Seven Sundays is a breakfast brand on a mission to restore human and planetary health, one cereal bowl at a time.  Brady takes us back to the early days of muesli inspiration in New Zealand, which inspired him and his wife, Hannah, to leave fast-paced careers in NYC and bootstrap a new CPG brand. We get deep into the hard realities of sourcing regenerative and upcycled ingredients, the missing middle of processing infrastructure, and what it takes to scale a direct trade program at the farm level. Brady also shares how Seven Sundays has resisted the temptation to “certify and shout” — instead focusing on building long-term, meaningful grower relationships and systems-level impact. You'll hear why they're bullish on sunflowers, oats, and sorghum in the Midwest, how they're navigating club and conventional retail, and what their new “Come Afield With Us” campaign is doing to bring consumers along their regenerative journey. This episode is packed with candid insight, supply chain wisdom, and big-picture optimism.  Episode Highlights:

What's up, y'all - welcome to a very special episode of the ReGen Brands Podcast. This isn't just another episode—it's episode 100. That's right… triple digits.  And today, Kyle and I are taking a moment to reflect on everything this show has become since that first conversation back in 2022. We're talking about where the regenerative CPG space was when we started and just how far it's come—more brands, more awareness, more momentum.  We'll share the behind-the-scenes stuff too… the quirks, the laughs, the chaos, and the little rituals that have shaped our journey. We're giving out some fun awards—like grittiest guest, sweatiest guest, best background, and most listened-to episode—and yes, we roast ourselves a bit too. We'll also be sharing the regen products we've been loving lately and making some bold predictions about what's going to happen between now and episode 200. But most importantly, we're taking stock of what we've learned, where the industry's headed, and why we're still all-in on this work. Whether you've listened to one episode or all one hundred, we're so grateful you're here.  Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we're joined by Carolyn Gahn who is the Senior Director of Mission & Advocacy at Applegate.   Applegate has just announced that they've achieved their ambitious goal to source 100% of the beef in their beef hot dogs from certified regenerative grasslands. By implementing this change, Applegate is helping to transition 10.8 million acres of grasslands to certified regenerative.   Carolyn leads Applegate's regenerative agriculture initiatives, and she joins us to share how the brand has gone from a single experimental product to transforming its entire hot dog portfolio to be certified regenerative.   We explore what made Applegate double down on regen even when consumers didn't fully understand it, and how this shift reflects the brand's long-standing mission of “changing the meat we eat.” Carolyn gives us a transparent look at the supply chain complexity, the multiple certifications chosen, and how Applegate's position within Hormel is actually helping move regen efforts forward at scale.   We also dig into Applegate's nutrient density testing and human health trials, their efforts to create true market signals for farmers, and how storytelling is evolving to make regen accessible and meaningful for everyday consumers.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we are joined by Cole Mannix who is the Founder and President of Old Salt Co-Op.   Old Salt Co-Op is supporting regenerative agriculture with a collection of vertically integrated businesses bringing regeneratively raised meat to consumers. The Old Salt brand was created by a group of family ranches in Montana to provide a better food system and future for their land, their animals, and their customers.   Old Salt sells meat direct-to-consumers online, they operate two restaurants in Helena, Montana, and they're also operating and acquiring meat processing facilities in the region. All with the goal of selling damn fine Montana meat based on one simple idea: land is kin.   In this episode, Cole details why these family ranches created Old Salt in search of a better alternative to the commodity market, why their focus is to turn consumers into citizens, and how their model can eventually triple rancher margins by creating equity upside for producers.   We chat with Cole about the why and how behind the complex Old Salt ecosystem of enterprises, the legendary Old Salt Festival coming up in June, why he wants to start a grain-finished program, and so much more.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we are joined by Will and Jenni Harris from White Oak Pastures, which may very well be the original and very first regenerative brand. White Oak Pastures is a 160-year-old, zero-waste, regenerative farm that raises 10 species of animals living in symbiotic relationships with each other and the land. Starting in 1995, the farm transitioned away from industrial agriculture techniques and began operating their farm as a living ecosystem.  As a brand, White Oak has been a pioneer in American grass-fed beef production, selling both Publix and Whole Foods their first domestic-supplied grass-fed beef over a decade ago. Today, White Oak operates a myriad of businesses at their home ranch in Bluffton, Georgia with a team of 160 people and their products are sought out by customers in 48 of the 50 states. In this episode, Will shares his journey from industrial cattleman to regenerative innovator, Jenni details how the business has shifted from grocery to e-commerce, and both of our guests share their story with their trademark transparency, humility, and Southern charm. Will and Jenni highlight the need for consumer-driven change in agriculture, Jenni shares how being on The Joe Rogan Experience has affected their business, and Will takes us behind the scenes of producing his book, A Bold Return To Giving A Damn. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, Kyle and I are flying solo to bring you some updates and thoughts coming out of Expo West. What are the latest industry trends we're tracking? What was the state of regenerative at this year's Super Bowl of CPG? What were the biggest regen wins from the Pitch Slam, to NEXTYs, to fundraising announcements? We dive into all the most important regen CPG topics including certification presence, new product highlights, and new information on increasing consumer awareness and demand for regenerative products. We break down the activation of the “I ❤️ REGEN” campaign and celebrate the success in building community. Plus, we offer some key insights and stats you can't get anywhere else. Whether you were at the show or not, drop us a note with your major takeaways or other topics you'd like to see us discuss. Episode Highlights:

In this episode, Kyle and I are flying solo to cover the latest and greatest from the world of regenerative CPG. We kick things off with Kyle sharing some insights from recent conversations he's had with retailers, and we unpack recent changes Whole Foods has made to their regenerative standards.  We break down all the things Expo West, including regenerative brands exhibiting, sessions we're looking forward to, NEXTY finalists, where you can find regen on the agenda, and how ReGen Brands is showing up at the event. Secret sneak peek - we're launching our first awareness campaign for ReGen Brands Coalition member brands and products, so be sure to check that out and listen to the full episode for more details. We touch on the early effects of the new federal administration change, specifically, the current federal funding freeze that is bringing some issues, and the optimism around change that could stem from the MAHA movement. We close things out with some fun and good news for the regenerative movement which you'll find at the very end of the episode. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Loren Poncia who is a rancher and the owner at Stemple Creek Ranch. Stemple Creek is supporting regenerative agriculture with their regeneratively-raised beef, lamb, pork, and chicken products mainly sold via their website directly to consumers and also available via select farmers' markets, restaurants, and retailers. Stemple Creek's home ranch in Northern California stretches over more than 1,000 acres and their overall operation manages more than 8,000 acres of land.  In this episode, Loren details the family's journey from conventional dairy to regenerative beef production, why they ended up starting a brand even though he “never wanted to be in the meat business,” and how they've grown to a multi-million dollar regional brand over the past decade. Stemple Creek's commitment to honesty, transparency, and quality was very apparent as Loren shared the story of managing their ranch, developing their brand, and growing their business. He shared his three keys to cracking the code on premium quality and taste in grass-fed beef, how their brand is approaching regenerative certification, and the challenges of maintaining a fresh meat program year-round. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Jason & Kristina Walker who are the Founders and Owners of Starwalker Organic Farms. Starwalker Organic Farms produces various beef, pork, and chicken products on a 3,000-acre Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in Northern California. They're one of the biggest producers of organic pork in the United States, and they sell their regenerative organic products wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and through their branded CPG SKUs. The family also owns and operates a certified organic processing facility with slaughter, cut, and value-added operations serving their farm and many others in the community. In this episode, Jason and Kristina give us the low down on how they're producing the world's first Regenerative Organic Certified pork, educate us on how essential processing is in building market access for regenerative farmers, and share the inside scoop on what is coming from their family of operations in the future. Safe to say the Walkers are doing a lot, and we really enjoyed getting the behind-the-scenes view into all the ways they're pushing to produce, process, and market regenerative food.   Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Sara Delaney who is the Founder and CEO at Sarilla. Sarilla is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of ready-to-drink spritzers that are all made with organic and regenerative ingredients. Sarilla sources the majority of its ingredients via direct trade relationships with farmer cooperatives in Rwanda that are USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified and pursuing regenerative certification. In this episode, Sara shares how she was inspired to launch the brand to further her work supporting the people of Rwanda in their ongoing recovery from the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, and she shares how Sarilla has grown over time to find the right name, SKUs, and product positioning. Sara's personal story is one of resiliency, empathy, and community and is definitely very alive in the Sarilla brand. She subscribes to the Rwandan wisdom that “to be alone is to die” - which underpins Sarilla's social impact mission and should serve as good advice for all of looking to increase collaborative efforts in regeneration. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Tim Cornie who is a farmer and the Co-Owner of 1000 Springs Mill. Tim is supporting regenerative agriculture as a farmer managing more than 800 acres of regenerative organic land in Idaho, by owning and operating a processing facility sourcing from many farmers in his region, and by selling CPG products in the 1000 Springs Mill brand that contain regenerative organic ingredients. In this episode, Tim shares how his regenerative efforts are inspired by the healthcare challenges that his family and community have faced, how a trip to Europe inspired him to “stop feeding cows and start feeding humans,” plus what it's like to farm, process, and brand regenerative organic foods. Tim is super optimistic that new ag-tech solutions are going to help more farmers adopt regenerative practices, he sees great growth opportunities in making regenerative products more convenient, and he's a firm believer that it all comes down to creating market demand. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have John Strohfus who is the Founder and CEO of Field Theory and Minnesota Hemp Farms Incorporated. John is supporting regenerative agriculture as a row crop farmer managing 1,000 acres in Minnesota, by working as a broker and supply chain builder with multiple brands, and by selling CPG products in the Field Theory brand that contain regeneratively grown ingredients. In this episode, John educates us on what really matters to farmers, gives his take on conventional regenerative versus regenerative organic, and breaks down what it takes to find, aggregate, and broker regenerative ingredients for other brands. This was a super fascinating conversation and a great one to start of the new year. John's three-pronged perspective as a farmer, broker, and brand builder really unlocked some amazing insights. We were pumped to have him join us and hope you learn as much as we did. Episode Highlights:  

In this episode, we're bringing you into the new year with a first-of-its-kind format covering current events, new consumer research, and industry news. Kyle and I spend time talking about Trump winning the presidency and what that means for regenerative brands and the regenerative movement. How will tariffs affect cost of goods? Will mass deportations affect labor and cost of goods? Is MAHA for real and what impact will it have? Will the new administration fulfill their promises on inflation and the economy resulting in higher velocities of premium regen products and more investment into their businesses? We chat about the cultural implications from the election and how we think that will affect where regen goes over the next 4 years. How will all this anti-establishment energy affect change? What does the rejection of woke ideology mean for brands marketing the sustainability benefits of regenerative products? We cover Regenified's recently released consumer report that highlights high interest in regenerative agriculture and growth opportunities for brands and retailers. What can we learn from the findings of this 850-person study? Regenified's key findings highlighted rising consumer awareness and interest, the criticality of certifications, consumers prioritizing health and nutrient density, and consumer willingness to pay a premium for regenerative products. We unpack it all and share our perspectives.  We share some big news from brands like Painterland Sisters, Long Table, Recoup, Little Sesame, and Diestel Family Ranch covering new products and retailer partnerships, big industry pitch slam wins, and new nutrient density analysis.  Lastly, Kyle and I share some of the regenerative products we're gifting to friends and family this holiday season. We're pumped to bring you this new format and excited to do more episodes like it in 2025, so let us know what you think and want to hear us chat about next!   Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we are talking about all things related to our recently released State of Regenerative CPG Report. Many of you have already checked out the report or at least heard us talk about it briefly on Episode 81 where we unpacked the launch of our new ecosystem. The report synthesizes ReGen Brands' proprietary learnings from almost three years of studying regenerative CPG, including 80 podcast episodes interviewing brand founders, executives, and other key ecosystem stakeholders.  It is designed to help you understand the ways regenerative brands are winning today along with the key challenges they face on the road to additional progress. This report is a super easy read but it's definitely dense, so we wanted to unpack ALL of it for you on this episode. So go download your copy and follow along or just listen in as we dive deep into our comprehensive state of the industry.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Camilla Marcus who is the Founder & CEO at west~bourne. West~bourne is supporting regenerative agriculture with their chef-driven snacks and pantry staples - all impeccably sourced, utilizing regenerative, sustainable, and organic ingredients. The brand's ethos is 'eat well. do better. gather often.' In this episode, Camilla shares her journey from chef to brand Founder, the philosophy behind west~bourne's unique model, the challenges and triumphs of leading with sustainability in the CPG space, and how Camilla is driving impact far beyond the plate.  We talk about west~bourne's new Regenerative Holiday Box, Camilla's new cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen, and celebrate their big recent win with The Fresh Market. Episode Highlights: ❤️ Food is our common love language

On this episode, we have Ryan Pintado-Vertner who is the Founder and CEO at Smoketown. Smoketown is a boutique brand consultancy that helps visionaries, mission-driven brands and nonprofits maximize their growth and positive impact without one compromising the other. They use empathy to help solve complex marketing challenges for their clients who are creating more justice, generosity, equity, and regeneration in the world. Smoketown is supporting regenerative agriculture with their recently released white paper: Unlocking Demand for Regenerative - A Crowdsourced Blueprint for Accelerating Consumer Demand for Regenerative Agriculture It will come as no surprise to anyone who has listened to this show before to hear that we are convicted in our belief that we need to figure out how to improve our ability to increase consumer awareness and demand for regenerative products. Well, Ryan shares that conviction with us and this white paper was his attempt to explore that concept and share his findings with the community. And boy did he deliver. The white paper is full of really insightful takeaways and recommended actions to take, and Ryan is here with us today to break it all down. You'll also learn about his background as an activist and big-CPG brand builder, his previous work at Sometown with mission-driven brands, and his regen awakening that led to him producing this blueprint for driving change. Join us as we break down how the regenerative community can 1) Increase Consumer Empathy, 2) Refine the Messaging Frame, 3) Double Down on Loyalty and Share of Wallet, and 4) Boldly Collaborate for Big Awareness. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Eric Gutknecht who is the President and CEO at Charcutnuvo. Charcutnuvo is supporting regenerative agriculture with their Regenerative Organic Certified® beef sausages and they are working to transition their entire product portfolio of beef, chicken, and pork sausage products to ROC™. In this episode, Eric gives us the real scoop on “how the sausage is made.” We cover his family's five-generation history in sausage making, his sausage-making training in Europe, and what processes the brand implores that set them apart from the competition.  Eric also gives us the lowdown on the regenerative organic beef they're sourcing, how adding the ROC™ certification to their products has boosted velocities, plus what it's going to take to see more regenerative sausage at your favorite retailer. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Heidi Diestel who is a fourth fourth-generation turkey farmer and executive at Diestel Family Ranch. Diestel Family Ranch has been raising turkeys since 1949, and they're supporting regenerative agriculture with their Non-GMO, regeneratively raised turkeys that are certified Regenified™. In this episode, Heidi schools us on their family's journey raising turkeys and how their practices and products have evolved over the years, she gives us an in-depth look at how they raise their regenerative birds and source regenerative feed, plus she breaks down how they think about product innovation and what is coming in the future from Diestel. Listen folks, that calendar says November, so it is time to start thinking about that Thanksgiving turkey. We went in-depth for a big-time Turkey 101 with Heidi today, and we were fascinated by everything we learned. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did, and more importantly, we hope you're serving a regenerative turkey at your holiday meal here in a few weeks. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Kyle Sullivan & Jesse Smith from Figure Ate Foods and the White Buffalo Land Trust. Kyle serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications while Jesse serves as the Director of Land Stewardship. Figure Ate is supporting regenerative agriculture with their persimmon vinegar and beef biltong products, and the Figure Ate brand is a part of the larger White Buffalo Land Trust non-profit that is stewarding the 1,000-acre Jalama Canyon Ranch and serves as a global hub for regenerative land stewardship, ecological monitoring, research, education, training, and enterprise development.  In this episode, we learn about why developing demand-building enterprises supporting ecological stewardship is a major key to regenerative success, Kyle and Jesse share the journey of launching the brand, formulating the initial products, and selling across multiple sales channels, plus we learn about some new projects and products they have in the works. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Benina Montes who is the Founder and Co-Owner of Burroughs Family Farms. Burroughs Family Farms is supporting regenerative agriculture with their regenerative organic farm producing almonds, olives, and walnuts while raising pastured sheep and poultry. Their brand predominantly sells almond-based products like various nut butters and their new almond concentrate, along with whole-snacking almonds offered in various formats and flavors.  In this episode, we learn about the Burroughs family's long history in farming and with food brands, Benina details their regenerative journey and how they became the first almond farm in the world to be Regenerative Organic Certified®, and we learn about why they launched their own brand and how it has grown over the last few years. Benina and her family are proving firsthand on their more than 1,000 acres that almond farming can be both regenerative and productive - leading to big wins in water infiltration, farm profitability, crop nutrient density, and more. They even host an Annual Regenerative Almond Field Day to share their efforts with other farmers, brands, retailers, researchers, and more. Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we are celebrating some very big news. This week, we launched a new unprecedented, multifaceted support ecosystem for CPG brands supporting regenerative agriculture including two new non-profit organizations and one future for-profit organization. The three entities are called: ReGen Brands Institute, ReGen Brands Coalition, and ReGen Brands Capital. We've shared bits and pieces of our work on all of this over the past year, but we have not really given our audience a full update since August of 2023. And there's a reason for that, as we've been quite hard at work building this new ecosystem.Please check out the updated website, read our inaugural State of Regenerative CPG report, and view the press release to get a nice, concise, articulate download of what we're doing. In this episode, we wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain on what went into shaping this vision, building the inaugural entities, hitting some key milestones, and where we go from here. Long story short, if you want to know what the future of our work looks like, then this is a must listen. We're so proud to take this massive step forward and we couldn't have done it without your support. We hope you're as energized by this milestone as we are.   Episode Highlights:

On this episode, we have Samuel Taylor who is the Founder and CEO of Long Table.   Long Table is supporting regenerative agriculture with their pancake and waffle mixes made with regeneratively grown heirloom grains.    In this episode, we learn how Samuel went from actor to CPG Founder due to the combination of a pancake obsession and an acrobatic love interest. He details how the brand went from the farmers market to appearing on Shark Tank, and he shares why regenerative, stone-milled, heirloom grains are a game-changer in terms of flavor, nutrition, and environmental impact.   Lots of great stories in this one folks! Samuel didn't land a deal on Shark Tank, but he scooped up the next best thing: “the best pancakes I've ever had” compliment from all the sharks and a million-dollar sales bump. A little over a year later, he's looking to build out this brand both online and in retail while being a key purchaser supporting the regenerative grain shed of the upper Midwest.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Ben Mand who is the CEO at Guayakí.   Guayakí is supporting regenerative agriculture with their various yerba mate-based products that are farmed in regenerative organic systems.    Yerba mate is a tree of the holly family that is native to the Atlantic Forest of South America, and the consumption of yerba mate is related to the unique relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their forest environments developed over millennia.   On this episode, we learn how Ben has satisfied his appetite for impact across a wide array of brands, and he shares more about Guayakí's Market Drive Regeneration™ approach - detailing what that means for their farming partners, their business, and their consumers.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have James Arthur Smith who is the Founder and CEO of Seatopia.   Seatopia is supporting regenerative aquaculture with its direct-to-consumer business building consumer demand for innovative aquaculture practices in hopes of scaling a truly regenerative seafood supply chain to feed the planet and restore our oceans.    In this episode, James breaks down the massive problems with current commodity seafood systems, how Seatopia is pioneering aquaculture 3.0, and why integrated multi-trophic aquaculture in the ocean is the same thing as regenerative agriculture on the land.   If you're ready to take a deep dive (pun intended) into marine ecosystems and planet-positive commercial-scale food production then this episode is for you.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Jacob Muise who is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Maui Nui Venison.   Maui Nui Venison is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of venison products made from wild-harvesting the invasive Axis deer population on the island of Maui.   Maui Nui Venison is the most nutrient-rich, and protein-dense red meat on the planet. Their stress-free, wild-harvesting methods ethically and responsibly manage the invasive Axis deer population of Maui in an effort to restore ecological balance to the island.   In this episode, we learn how Jake went from surfing the frosty waters off of Nova Scotia to the warm waters of Hawaii, the ecological imperative for managing the Axis deer population in Hawaii, and how Jake turned his obsession for Axis deer into the powerhouse brand that Maui Nui is today.   Now look, this is a little ‘outside of the box' application of the term regenerative agriculture, and that may not fly for some of you purists out there. But guess what, we don't really care. Because Maui Nui's outcomes in terms of ecological benefit, human nutrition, and community benefit are unquestionably regenerative. And this is the first of two episodes in a row where we feature a brand with a nuanced take on regen somewhat outside of the norm.   And the word on the street is there are multiple top-secret reveals buried deep in this episode, so I think you'll want to listen until the very end.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Jessica Rubino and Douglas Brown from New Hope Network. Jessica serves as the Vice President of Content and Douglas serves as a Senior Retail Reporter & Analyst.   New Hope Network's purpose is to cultivate a prosperous high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that creates health, joy, and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. New Hope Network is at the forefront of the natural, organic, and conscious products industry. With solutions for the complete supply chain, including manufacturers, retailers, distributors, service providers, ingredient suppliers, media, and investors, New Hope Network offers a robust portfolio of content, events, data, research, and consultative services.   Most of you listening probably know New Hope best for their seminal, annual event, Natural Products Expo West, which Kyle and I broke down on Episode 66.   In this episode, we are talking all things Newtopia Now, which is New Hope's newest event designed for buyers to discover their next best-selling conscious products through facilitated connections, deepened relationships, and actionable and inspiring content.   The unique floorplan at Newtopia Now is built around 4 neighborhoods, with one being ‘Regenerate' showcasing brands building more regenerative supply chains and overall business models.   We get a special sneak peek preview into the event overall, what retailers and regenerative brands can expect when attending Newtopia Now, and I ask both Jessica and Douglas for their thoughts on the hottest topics in the world of regenerative CPG. Because I know y'all are tired of just hearing Kyle and I talk about them…   This was a super fun episode, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at Newtopia Now in August.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Ladd Wahlen who is a fourth-generation potato farmer and Co-Owner of Roots Potato Chips.    Roots Potato Chips is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of single-origin, regeneratively farmed potato chip products.   In this episode, we learn how a college research project catapulted Ladd into his regenerative journey, how radically different his farming operation is from his conventional potato peers, and what its been like to go from farmer to also potato chip manufacturer and CPG brand operator.   Ladd's farm is proving that you can build a regenerative model for commercial-scale potato production with the farm boasting 10 times the diversity of conventional farms, a 75% reduction in tillage versus conventional farms, and ground cover 90% of the year versus an average 33% of the year for conventional farms.   The Nature Conservancy has made the Wahlen's farm a demonstration site to help other Idaho potato growers adopt regenerative practices and Ladd and his family hope that the Roots brand can become a commercial engine that incentivizes those same farmers to adopt these practices and while being paid for their efforts.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Johnny Hunter who is a third-generation farmer and the President of Castor River Habitat & Farm.   Castor River Habitat & Farm is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of rice products grown on their own farm and produced in their on-farm milling facility.   In this episode, we learn about the Hunter family's deep agricultural roots, how Johnny was forced to go regen after ‘hitting rock bottom' in 2012, and how the brand has grown since its inception in 2018.   Johnny is a masterful storyteller and this episode had a little bit of everything: thoughts on why we need to keep regenerative farmer-focused and rooted in reality, stories of collaborative commercialization with some of their retail and foodservice partners, plus what is ahead for Castor River including achieving Regenified certification and expanding sourcing beyond their home farm.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Allie O'Brien who is the Vice President of Marketing at Harmless Harvest.   Harmless Harvest is supporting regenerative agriculture with its Regenerative Organic Certified® coconut supply chain which is now making its way into label claims across their product portfolio.   In this episode, we learn about Harmless' unique supply chain in Thailand sourcing the nam hom coconut, their work implementing regenerative practices on the ground through their ReCAP program, how their regenerative organic sourcing is coming to life in product marketing today and in the future, plus the support their receiving from their parent company, Danone.   Get your notepads out folks because Allie was dropping knowledge on this episode. It was super interesting and informative to have our first VP of Marketing on the show and Allie went in-depth on all things related to creating meaningful marketing strategies for regenerative claims whether we're talking certifications, packaging design, claims hierarchy, pricing architecture, in-store promotion, channel-specific execution and so much more.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Alison Czeczuga and Zach West from Gaia Herbs. Alison serves as the Director of Social Impact and Sustainability while Zach serves as the Farm Operations Manager.   Gaia Herbs is supporting regenerative agriculture with their 250-acre Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in North Carolina and their more than 200+ SKUs that contain various Regenerative Organic Certified® ingredients.   In this episode, we learn how this natural channel supplement leader has developed, implemented, and expanded their regenerative strategy plus how they're betting that tying regen to product quality and consumer wellness will be a winning commercial strategy.   We talked farmworker housing, composting programs, herbal extraction, product label claim challenges and so much more in this one. Tons of insights and of course some good laughs along the way.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Dana Ehrlich who is the Founder of Verde Farms.   Verde Farms is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of 100% USDA organic and grass-fed and grass-finished beef products. They have recently begun working with Land to Market to transition their supply to fully regenerative and have begun certifying certain SKUs.   In this episode, Dana shares the health and tourism journey that led him to South American grass-fed beef plus how they've grown the brand over time very unconventionally through private label business and branded sales to conventional and mass retailers.   Verde Farms is growing 50% year over year with category-leading velocities and recently took on its first major investment while also transitioning to self-manufacturing.   Tons of fun topics in this one on all things CPG plus Dana shares the behind-the-scenes look at getting their farmers to adopt more regenerative practices. Here's a hint - the incentives have to do with boosting on-farm profitability.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Briana Buckles who is the Global Senior Sustainability Manager at Yogi Tea.   Yogi Tea is supporting regenerative agriculture with 9 global projects dedicated to increasing regenerative agriculture adoption in the supply chain for their Yogi Tea and Choice Organics brands.   Yogi has been around for more than 50 years, produces over 70 SKUs, and sources more than 150 ingredients from over 40 different countries. Their products are stocked across thousands of retailers in North America and Europe.    In this episode, Briana shares her 5-year journey trailblazing new regenerative agriculture initiatives at Yogi and how they are increasing regen ag adoption through a three-pronged supply chain visibility, intervention, and expansion approach. Plus, she shares the details on one of their projects in Rwanda with details on how they select farmers to support, partner with local technical assistance providers, and fund the work itself.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Matthieu Kohlmeyer who is the Founder and CEO of La Tourangelle.   La Tourangelle is a French-American family-owned & operated culinary oil maker. They're currently supporting regenerative agriculture with their Regenerative Organic Certified® Sunflower Oil and their soon-to-be-released regenerative olive oil.   In this episode, Matthieu shares La Tourangelle's 20-year history as a CPG brand and 150-year history producing artisan oils, he shares what makes their production and packaging unique from other players in the category, and he also details their future plans to support regenerative agriculture.   Matthieu is a wealth of knowledge in all topics oil-related and he was nice enough to weigh in on the current seed oil debates, existing issues with counterfeit oils in the market, and why scaling regen in oil products might look a lot different than other categories.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Jared Simon who is the CEO at Manitoba Harvest.   Manitoba Harvest is North America's leading hemp food brand, and they're supporting regenerative agriculture with their recently released Regenerative Organic Certified® Hemp Hearts.   In this episode, Jared breaks down how hemp is grown and some of the agronomic differences between conventional, organic, and regenerative organic cultivation. Jared also shares how Manitoba Harvest is developing their commercial strategy around regenerative and what this means for both their branded business and B2B ingredient business.   Jared was super engaging and insightful, and we really enjoyed gleaning his insights on how a legacy, scaled brand like Manitoba Harvest starts prioritizing regen, opportunities he sees in the broader regen movement, and how their work is influencing the larger, publicly traded parent company they sit within.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Blaine & Brooks Hitzfield from Seven Sons. Blaine is the CEO while Brooks serves as the COO.   Seven Sons is supporting regenerative agriculture with its direct-to-consumer meat business that sells regeneratively raised beef, bison, pork, and chicken as well as seafood and other snack items.   Seven Sons sources their regeneratively raised meat products from their own 550-acre farm in Roanoke, Indiana, and from other regenerative farmers around the Midwest.    In this episode, we hear how the family farm transitioned from a conventional hog operation to a multi-species pastured livestock operation, plus Blaine and Brooks take us behind the scenes on all things direct-to-consumer e-commerce and how they've grown their business to 75,000 orders a year.   This was an absolute masterclass in operating a DTC brand, connecting with consumers authentically, and making regenerative products accessible through convenience.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, Kyle and I are flying solo to bring you some updates and thoughts coming out of Expo West.   For those who don't know, Expo West is “the annual Super Bowl of CPG” with over 67,000 attendees this year and a gathering of anyone and everyone working on CPG brands supporting regenerative agriculture - from certifiers, to investors, to the brands themselves, and many more.   Kyle and I spend some time covering our personal highlights, favorite new products, plus the state of the union for CPG capital investment and regenerative marketing claims.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Hovik Azadkhanian who is the Founder and CEO of Heirloom Coffee Roasters.   Heirloom Coffee Roasters is supporting regenerative agriculture with its 6-SKU lineup of Regenerative Organic Certified® whole bean coffees.   In this episode, we learn how Hovik is carrying on his family's legacy as a third-generation coffee roaster, how the brand has grown from one Bay Area retail location to going nationwide with Sprouts in less than a year, and why regenerative agriculture is the key to saving coffee.   One thing is clear from this episode - when people tell Hovik he can't do something, he is going to do whatever he can to prove them wrong. This spirit underpins Heirloom's audacious goals which range from selling 100% regenerative organic certified coffee, to pioneering emissions-free electric roasting, and much more.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Jody and Crystal Manuel and Brei Larmoyeux, who are the Co-Founders of Gruff.   Gruff is supporting regenerative agriculture with its Regenerative Organic Certified® Ancient Grain Grits. Gruff's grits are made from organic cracked Farro and are table-ready in just 12 minutes.   In this episode, we learn about Jody and Crystal's journey transitioning their farm from conventional to organic plus all the spectacular nuance of how they're currently weaving annuals, perennials, and animals to create a winning regenerative organic system.   Crystal shares the story of how feeding their many children a nutritious breakfast inspired the creation of Gruff, and we have Brei and Kyle sidebarring on how we can bring these nutritious grits to bodybuilding bros and other performance athletes across the world.   Gruff is a vertically integrated, farmer-led, regenerative brand with a great story and a ton of growth potential - we enjoyed diving into it all with Jody, Crystal, and Brei.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Nick Wiseman who is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Little Sesame.   Little Sesame is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of organic and regeneratively farmed hummus products that includes a flavor lineup of Smooth Classic, Jammy Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Herby Jalapeño, and the newly launched Preserved Lemon.   In this episode, we learn how Nick and his team pivoted Little Sesame from restaurant to retail during COVID, the “freshly-spun” difference that makes their hummus unique, and Little Sesame's explosive growth strategy and results.   We covered a ton with Nick, and this episode is super rich with insights into everything from direct-trade farm relationships, to driving product velocities at retail, to building self-manufacturing as a competitive advantage.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Joséphine Bournonville who is a Co-Founder and the COO at Omie.   Omie is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of more than 200 French pantry staples that are sourced from regenerative farmers.   Omie's agri-engineers work with over 40 manufacturers and 200 farmers to bring this vast assortment to life. Farming operations are audited with a Regenerative Index score then Omie works with the operators to create a roadmap for improvement and further regenerative practice adoption. All of their products are given a Planet Score, with more than 90% of the portfolio scoring an A or B and nothing being offered that isn't at least a grade C.   In this episode, we learn about Joséphine's journey from clean-tech investing to agribusiness M&A to a regenerative food startup, and we hear how Omie has scaled from a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform into France's leading regenerative brand.   Joséphine was an amazing endcap to our first international series! Omie is doing incredible work, and it was inspiring and informative to hear about their efforts and compare them to all the other brands we've had on the show.    Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Jay Albany who is the CEO of Wide Open Agriculture.   Wide Open Agriculture is Australia's leading regenerative food and agriculture company and operates 3 distinct enterprises. Under the name Dirty Clean Food, they operate a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform that sells 300 different regenerative and artisan products directly to wholesale customers and individual consumers. They've also launched a line of branded, oat-milk-based CPG products under the Dirty Clean Food name as well.    WOA is focusing its future growth on its third enterprise - producing and supplying Buntine Protein® created by processing Australian sweet lupin. Sweet lupin serves as a rotational crop in regenerative systems of the Western Australian wheat belt but currently does not have a large, profitable market as a human food ingredient.   Wide Open Ag's business is a beautiful blend of targeting both local and global impact while operating under their “4 returns” mandate which includes financial, natural, social and inspirational returns.    Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Rafaela Gontijo Lenz who is the Founder and CEO at NUU.   NUU is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of regenerative, cassava-based foods that includes cheese bread, chees bread pizza, tapioca sticks, and more. These items are sold in over 1,500 retail and foodservice points of sale in Brazil.   In this episode, we learn how Rafaela was inspired to leave her job at Johnson & Johnson to start a cheese bread company supporting smallholder farmers, her regenerative awakening and NUU's regenerative journey, and their recent 4 million dollar fundraise that is set to power their future vision.   NUU is a certified B Corp, certified carbon neutral, led by an entirely female C-suite, and has been recognized by The United Nations as 1 of 50 global companies to help lead the regenerative food movement.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Edd Lees who is one of the Co-Founders at Wildfarmed.    Wildfarmed is supporting regenerative agriculture with its lineup of regenerative wheat flours that are used in retailers, restaurants, and bakeries across the United Kingdom and powered by a network of 80 regenerative farmers.   In this episode, we learn how the brand was started when a famous DJ traded in his turntables for a tractor, how they've grown the business through a branded B2B2C strategy, and their big plans for their first Wildfarmed CPG product launch in 2024.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Derrick Jackson who is a Farmer and Co-Founder of Grass Grazed.    Grass Grazed is supporting regenerative agriculture with a myriad of direct-to-consumer livestock products and just launched its first CPG item, Grazed Snax. Grazed Snax is a meat stick made from 100% pasture-raised pork.    In this episode, we learn how Derrick and his family went from raising 25 backyard chickens to 4,000 pasture-raised birds in just 11 months, the barriers that small-scale regenerative farmers face in receiving financing for land acquisition, and why the family has decided to invest in building CPG products as a key to their future growth.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Zack Gazzaniga who is the Founder of Zack's Mighty.   Zack's Mighty is supporting regenerative agriculture with its tortilla chip products made with certified regenerative corn.   In this episode, we learn about Zack's journey in CPG helping to build and scale Sir Kensington's, why he was compelled to “make chips that don't break in dip,” and the wild ride building Zack's Mighty supply chain that included everything from importing an heirloom variety of corn into the US, setting up direct trade supply with farms, investing in proprietary manufacturing processes, and certifying their regenerative claims through A Greener World (AGW).   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Kyle Koehler who is the Founder and CEO at Wildway.   Wildway is supporting regenerative agriculture with its commitment to transition its entire product portfolio to Regenerative Organic Certified®, beginning with a 4-SKU lineup of Planet Friendly Oats and a 3-SKU lineup of Coconut Chips.   In this episode, we learn about Kyle's 11-year journey bootstrapping Wildway from the farmers' market to a nationally distributed and profitable brand, Kyle shares his inspiration for taking the brand fully regenerative organic and the immense challenges that has created, plus he also shares how they're looking to fund the future of the business with redeemable equity.   Episode Highlights:  

On this episode, we have Monique Hypes and Marie Krane who are the Co-Founders of ⁠Tomato Bliss⁠. Tomato Bliss is on a mission to “save the heirloom tomato from extinction” with their line of heirloom tomato soups that are made with tomatoes grown on their certified Regenified™ farm in Southwest Michigan. In this episode, we learn why tomato farming became Marie's chosen form of activism, how she found Monique to help Tomato Bliss become more than just a farmers market brand, and the strategies they're using to grow both supply and demand for regeneratively grown heirloom tomatoes at the same time. Episode Highlights: