New MegaFood impact report highlights global sustainability efforts
The report, which coincides with MegaFood’s 50th anniversary, also outlines the organization’s future sustainability plans.
When it comes to the MegaFood energy portfolio, the B-Corp is 100% renewably powered with Native Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Native's REC portfolio accelerates the development of new and innovative solar and wind energy projects that will produce renewable energy for years to come, officials said.
Andy Dahlen, MegaFood CEO, said embedding sustainability in a range of practices is essentially “the right thing to do” for the organization.
"This impact report is our way to transparently communicate our sustainability progress and hold ourselves accountable to our impact and goals,” Dahlen said.
Since 2018, MegaFood has given employees say with socially responsible investing options through the company’s 401(k) plans.
In 2022, MegaFood gave $1,235,000 in financial and product donations, sponsorships, and small grants to support organizations working toward climate resiliency and an improved outlook for future generations.
A focus on regenerative agriculture
The report also outlined how the company has prioritized collaborating with the American Sustainable Business Network’s Regenerative Agriculture and Justice Working Group to develop 2023 Farm Bill priorities that will support the transition to regenerative agriculture.
In addition, MegaFood spent more than $3 million last year directly on certified organic ingredients. The company is celebrating four of its suppliers that achieved regenerative organic certification for their crops.
MegaFood said being an active proponent of regenerative agriculture means partnering with organizations such as the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems at California State University, Chico, to help fund the Soil Carbon Accrual Project. That project is designed to compare carbon cycling associated with fertilizers and pesticides, for example, to a regenerative system, which includes farming practices such as incorporating multispecies cover crops and crop rotations.
Women in agriculture
MegaFood’s emphasis on agriculture also includes prioritizing women. The UN says women make up 43% of the global agricultural labor force. However, they face significant discrimination when it comes to ownership, equal pay, decision-making, and access to financial services, according to the report. Since 2019, MegaFood has been a supporter of Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA) and has donated over $100,000 to the organization. MegaFood said WEA implements women-led grassroots solutions to protect our environment and strengthen communities, helping ensure a safe, healthy, and just future for generations. Through their accelerator program, WEA promotes leadership, supports development of strategy, and provides technical training for young advocates, helping them scale their initiatives.
In Indonesia, MegaFood has sponsored a series of workshops with more than 300 farmers to help them manage their lands, improve soil fertility, and learn about intercropping and cropping patterns. These farmers, many of whom provide the turmeric used in MegaFood products, have improved their agroforestry systems.
"Changing climate impacts everyone – from farmers to employees and consumers,” said Stacia Betley, director of sustainability and social impact at MegaFood. “We are committing to a science-based target and working rigorously to craft a meaningful climate action plan that focuses on reduction projects before offsets. Through our partnerships and collaboration, we are committed to moving the needle as we don't have time to waste."
Last June, Betley joined the NutraCast to discuss MegaFood’s Plastic Neutral Certified by rePurpose Global--enabling the removal of over 450,000 pounds of plastic waste otherwise bound for nature by the end of 2023.
