Gary Hirshberg’s life mission is to help save the planet by promoting organic food and sustainable living. But the greatest leadership moment for the Stonyfield Farm co-founder arguably came at the hands of a most unlikely partner: Walmart. Walmart came knocking at his door to inquire about selling Stonyfield yogurt in its stores. Hirshberg knew the horrendous reaction such a move would surely generate from his brand’s left-leaning core consumers. He asked his biggest customer, Whole Foods, what it thought of the idea. The grocery chain’s resistance shook him. “That’s when I pushed back and asked my team: ‘Why did we make this (product) in the first place?'” said Hirshberg. “Our mission is to promote better health, better nutrition, and a better planet for all — not just for the rich.” Organic food in the US is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. The OTA report said organic produce sales totalled $22 billion and accounted for 15% of all fruit and vegetable sales in the US last year. Organic beverages were the second strongest category after fresh produce as an increasing number of young people look to swap out alcohol for natural alternatives. Organic coffee sales rose 7% year-on-year reaching close to $2.3 billion, while demand for organic eggs and dairy also remained strong. “Organic has proven it can withstand short-term economic storms,” said OTA’s CEO Tom Chapman on the release of the report in May. “Despite the fluctuation of any given moment, Americans are still investing in their personal health, and, with increasing interest, in the environment; organic is the answer.” Wyatt Taubman is the Co-Founder of Vive Organic, the first donor to Whole Planet Foundation via the Whole Foods Market Donor Advised Fund in December 2022. Through its network of microfinance partners, Whole Planet Foundation provides microcredit loans to impoverished entrepreneurs in 82 countries, including the United States. The average first loan size of $183 helps to create income-generating opportunities for these individuals and their families. With a contribution of $150,000, Vive Organic’s contribution will enable an additional 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs to receive support from Whole Planet Foundation. Certified Organic Farmers, a nonprofit organization that advances organic agriculture through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion.This partnership, part of GrubMarket’s Sustainable California initiative, aims to support socially disadvantaged farmers in California by sponsoring cohorts of farmers from underserved communities to obtain organic certification, empowering them to adopt more organic farming practices and move towards long-term sustainability. After completing their MBA from Pune University, Satyajit and Ajinka Hange climbed the corporate ladder working with top MNCs for nearly a decade. But something always felt amiss. They realised that they were only truly ever satisfied when they were in their 100-year-old wada in Indapur taluka’s Bhodani village. Tired of their corporate jobs, they decided to become organic farmers and started Two Brothers Organic Farms.
Stonyfield Co-Founder Still Walking The Organic Walk
Gary Hirshberg’s life mission is to help save the planet by promoting organic food and sustainable living. But the greatest leadership moment for the Stonyfield Farm co-founder arguably came at the hands of a most unlikely partner: Walmart.
GrubMarket partners with CCOF to support disadvantaged farmers in obtaining organic certification
Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), a nonprofit organization that advances organic agriculture through organic certification, education, advocacy, and promotion.This partnership, part of GrubMarket’s Sustainable California initiative, aims to support socially disadvantaged farmers in California by sponsoring cohorts of farmers from underserved communities to obtain organic certification, empowering them to adopt more organic farming practices and move towards long-term sustainability.
Interview With Vive Organic
Wyatt Taubman is the Co-Founder of Vive Organic, the first donor to Whole Planet Foundation via the Whole Foods Market Donor Advised Fund in December 2022. Through its network of microfinance partners, Whole Planet Foundation provides microcredit loans to impoverished entrepreneurs in 82 countries, including the United States. The average first loan size of $183 helps to create income-generating opportunities for these individuals and their families. With a contribution of $150,000, Vive Organic’s contribution will enable an additional 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs to receive support from Whole Planet Foundation.
Pune Brothers Quit Corporate Jobs for Organic Farming; Earn Crores
After completing their MBA from Pune University, Satyajit and Ajinka Hange climbed the corporate ladder working with top MNCs for nearly a decade. But something always felt amiss. They realised that they were only truly ever satisfied when they were in their 100-year-old wada in Indapur taluka’s Bhodani village. Tired of their corporate jobs, they decided to become organic farmers and started Two Brothers Organic Farms.
Health is wealth: the value of organic food is rising
Organic food in the US is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. The OTA report said organic produce sales totalled $22 billion and accounted for 15% of all fruit and vegetable sales in the US last year. Organic beverages were the second strongest category after fresh produce as an increasing number of young people look to swap out alcohol for natural alternatives. Organic coffee sales rose 7% year-on-year reaching close to $2.3 billion, while demand for organic eggs and dairy also remained strong. “Organic has proven it can withstand short-term economic storms,” said OTA’s CEO Tom Chapman on the release of the report in May. “Despite the fluctuation of any given moment, Americans are still investing in their personal health, and, with increasing interest, in the environment; organic is the answer.”
https://www.just-food.com/sponsored/health-is-wealth-the-value-of-organic-food-is-rising/
