Why We Are In Support Of Regenerative Organic Farming

The Regenerative Organic Alliance, is a company that was established in 2017 by a group of farmers, business leaders, and experts in soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Their approach moves away from pesticides and artificial fertilizers, toward a holistic management approach to farming, with building soil in such a way that leads to healthier foods.

We're losing topsoil 10 to 40 times faster than we're replacing it due to harmful, conventional farming practices. The toxic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used by industrial agriculture pollute air & water and contribute at least 25% of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Farmworkers are vulnerable to exploitation, and rural economies are suffering.

Regenerative organic agriculture offers a hopeful solution.

Regenerative organic prohibits the use of toxic chemicals while rebuilding soil, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering more carbon than other farming methods. Certifications like Regenerative Organic Certified™ also ensure the humane treatment of animals and fair conditions for farmers & farmworkers. We need to actively regenerate the land that supports us, the animals that nourish us & the soil, and the farmers & workers that feed us.

There is a path forward, and you can be part of the solution.

Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC™) is a revolutionary new label for food, fiber, and personal care ingredients. ROC™ farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.

The 3 Pillars of ROC

SOIL HEALTH
• Builds soil organic matter
• Conservation tillage
• Cover crops
• Crop rotations
• No GMOs or gene editing
• No soilless systems
• No synthetic inputs
• Promotes biodiversity
• Rotational grazing

ANIMAL HEALTH

• Freedom from discomfort
• Freedom from fear & distress
• Freedom from hunger
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease
• Freedom to express normal behavior
• Grass-fed/pasture-raised
• Limited transport
• No CAFOs

SOCIAL FAIRNESS

• Fair payments for farmers
• Good working conditions
• Living wages
• Capacity building
• Freedom of association
• Long term commitments
• No forced labor
• Transparency and accountability

In a nutshell: Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that focuses on soil health. When soil is healthy, it produces more food and nutrition, stores more carbon and increases biodiversity – the variety of species. Agriculture today, including the use of heavy machinery, fertilizers and pesticides to maximize food production, is contributing to soil degradation and loss. Within 50 years, there may not be enough soil left to feed the world, according to regenerative farming organization Regeneration International.

-At Love Whole Foods, we’re excited about the brands that are supporting Regenerative Farming, particularly those supporting organic agriculture as well. Look for more and more products showing up on our shelves this year! Below are a few so far.