11.11.166 Socially Responsible Food Companies
6 Socially Responsible Food Companies
What A to Z makes: Oregon wines
Why A to Z says it deserves your business: “A to Z Wineworks’ wines deserve shoppers’ attention primarily because they are delicious, food-friendly wines that offer the highest quality for the greatest sustainable value. A to Z widely sources grapes from across Oregon resulting in wines of great complexity, nuance and balance that offer superior value.”
What’s A to Z’s status? A to Z Wineworks is a B Corp but not a legal benefit corporation in Oregon, although the company changed its legal language to say that it will take into consideration all stakeholders (unlike typical corporate language in legal documents requiring a company to maximize shareholder profits).
What King Arthur makes: Flours and baking mixes
Why King Arthur says it deserves your business: “King Arthur Flour’s mission to provide the highest quality baking flour and ingredients has always been values driven, long before we became a founding B Corp in 2007. As a 100% employee-owned company we are committed to building communities through baking – two examples include our October Bake for Good Month and our Essential Goodness line of baking mixes, where for every mix purchased we donate a meal to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.”
What’s King Arthur’s status? King Arthur Flour is a legal benefit corporation in Vermont, a founding member of B Lab, and a certified B Corp.
What Cabot makes: Cheese, yogurt, butter, and other dairy products
Why Cabot says it deserves your business: “As the first dairy cooperative in the world to be B Corp certified, Cabot Creamery Cooperative returns all profits from our cheese and dairy products to our 1,100 New England and New York farm family owners, while developing and implementing sustainable practices on farms and within our creameries. Cabot works to ensure dairy farmers can farm into the next generation and mirror our farmers’ values both throughout the cooperative and within the local communities where Cabot products are sold.”
What’s Cabot’s status? Cabot is a certified B Corp but not a legal benefit corporation in Vermont. Its status as a cooperative sets it apart from traditional corporations in that its stakeholders are the owners.
What Plum makes: Organic baby food and kids’ snacks
What’s Plum’s status? Plum is a B Corp and a legal benefit corporation in Delaware (with offices based in California).
What Pete and Gerry’s makes: Certified organic and humane free range eggs
Why Pete and Gerry’s says it deserves your business: “Because we love our hens! And that means we give them the best life possible; our hens are cared for by small family farmers and, as the country’s first Certified Humane egg producer, they have real access to grass and dirt, fresh water whenever they want it, and the space to engage in natural behaviors like roosting and dust bathing. Whichever of our brands you choose, Pete and Gerry’s Organic, Nellie’s Free Range or Carol’s Pasture Raised, we provide shoppers with eggs that are a good choice for their families, their wallets and the hens that produce them.”
What’s Pete and Gerry’s status? Pete and Gerry’s is a B Corp but not a legal benefit corporation. New Hampshire did not have the structure in place the last time the company considered these certification and status issues. The company is looking at whether to apply to become a legal benefit corp in the future.
What Tofurky makes: Plant-based protein products
Why Tofurky says it deserves your business: “Tofurky directs attention, resources and revenues back to animal welfare and environmentally sustainable initiatives. We strive to make our non-GMO, vegan products accessible to everyone, so that diet change and social purpose are deliciously synonymous. Our brand intends to be curious and fun while communicating the vast benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.”
What’s Tofurky status? Tofurky is a B Corp but not a legal benefit corporation in Oregon.
Written by: Katherine Gustafson
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