As we come to the close of a year with unprecedented growth, I find myself reflecting on both the progress we’ve made together and the people who make this work possible. Regenerative organic agriculture is never a solo effort—it’s a collective commitment shared by farmers, brands, allies, and partners who believe that how we grow our food can heal the land and nourish our communities.
This month, we’re excited to welcome several newly Regenerative Organic Certified® brands into the ROA community, including Simple Mills, Bongo Roasting Co., and Field Theory. Each represents a different corner of the food system, yet all are united by a deep commitment to soil health, integrity, and long-term impact.
These brands round out a year in which we started with a little over 200 ROC™ licensees and are closing the year with close to 350 – that are all helping accelerate the transition to regenerative organic growing practices and, with our retail partners, increase consumer awareness of and demand for ROC™. This puts the regenerative organic movement on very strong footing as we head into 2026 in which we expect this explosive growth to continue.
We’re also continuing to highlight what leadership looks like in practice. After featuring Applegate in our Brand & Partner newsletter, we wanted to bring their story into this broader community as well—because their work shows what’s possible when values, scale, and accountability come together in a meaningful way.
Another powerful example of that accountability comes from Pocono Organics, whose recent Edacious nutrient density testing results offer tangible insight into how regenerative organic practices translate into real, measurable outcomes. This kind of data-driven storytelling helps connect the dots between farming practices, soil health, and the quality of the food on our plates.
You’ll also find an Ally Spotlight on Organic India, whose long-standing commitment to regenerative principles continues to inspire, along with a thoughtful contribution from the Rodale Institute that explores the role of ROC® certification in advancing a more resilient food system.
Christopher Gergen
CEO, Regenerative Organic Alliance
Newly Regenerative Organic Certified®
Welcoming the newest members to the Regenerative Organic Alliance community of nearly 340 licensed brands. Check out the latest brands, suppliers, and farms that have earned Regenerative Organic Certified® status!
Simple Mills
Simple Mills joins the ROC™ community with a mission centered on “clean, nourishing food that works in harmony with nature.” Their commitment to ingredient diversity, farmer partnerships, and soil-first sourcing proves that delicious snacks can also help regenerate the earth.
Bongo Roasting Co.
Bongo Roasting Co. has a long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing and flavorful, craft-roasted coffee. With deep relationships across their supply chain and a focus on supporting farmers and ecosystems, Bongo’s approach reflects a shared belief that great coffee starts with healthy soil and thriving communities
Field Theory
Field Theory is a plant-based food company dedicated to turning simple, whole ingredients into nourishing foods that support people and the planet. With a focus on hemp, ancient grains, and sustainably grown crops, they partner closely with farmers to strengthen soil health and build regenerative supply chains, making their move into ROC™ a natural extension of their mission.
Pocono Organics - Data from the Field
What if the way we grow our food could change the way it nourishes us? At Pocono Organics, that question isn’t theoretical... it’s measurable. By rebuilding soil health through Regenerative Organic Certified® practices, their crops are producing more complexity, more vitality, and more nutrition in every bite.
Recent independent testing from Edacious Food Labs compared Pocono Organics’ ROC™ broccoli powder to conventional counterparts, and the results underscore the deep connection between healthy soil and nutrient-dense food:
Protein: 14.6 g ROC vs ~3 g conventional — nearly 5× higher
Magnesium: 43% DV ROC vs ~10% DV conventional — about 4× higher
Manganese: 82% DV ROC vs ~20% DV conventional — roughly 4× more
Riboflavin (B2): 47% DV ROC vs ~12% DV conventional — 4× greater
Heavy metals:Undetectable in ROC powder, compared to levels commonly found in conventional powders
This data reinforces what the regenerative organic movement has long known: when we put soil health first, food becomes meaningfully more nourishing—for people and for the planet.
Welcoming Applegate as an Ally
For more than 35 years, Applegate has been producing high-quality natural, organic & Regenerative Organic Certified® hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, and frozen products. Their products are made without artificial ingredients, and they source their meat from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of their mission – Changing The Meat We Eat®. Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate, natural means that the meat inside their products are:
From animals raised humanely without antibiotics, hormones or growth promotants.
From animals fed a vegetarian or 100% grass diet.
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates.
Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives.
The Regenerative Organic Alliance is proud to welcome Applegate as our newest Ally. This partnership represents a shared commitment to advancing regenerative organic practices and creating meaningful connections with consumers. Through data-driven storytelling and collaborative initiatives, we aim to amplify the movement and inspire positive change across the food system. Together, we believe that when the tide rises, all ships rise.
Allies Spotlight- Organic India
This month, we’re proud to highlight Organic India, a longtime ally whose work beautifully embodies the principles behind Regenerative Organic Certified® and the broader regenerative movement.
Organic India partners with thousands of smallholder farmers across rural India, empowering them with training, stable markets, and regenerative organic practices that restore soil vitality, enhance biodiversity, and build long-term resilience. Their model proves that agriculture can be both economically viable and ecologically healing when farmers are supported and ecosystems are prioritized.
Today, Organic India carries the Regenerative Organic Certified® seal across a growing range of its herbal teas and wellness products, one of the first wellness brands in the world to make this commitment. Their leadership is helping expand the reach of regenerative organic agriculture beyond food, demonstrating how herbs, botanicals, and medicinal plants can also be grown in harmony with people and the planet.
Want to see your brand here? Contact us to find out how to become an Ally of the ROA
"Walking the Talk" - Rodale's Journal Feature on ROC™
The latest issue of the Rodale Institute Journal has arrived, and it includes a meaningful deep dive into the importance and impact of Regenerative Organic Certified®. As a global leader in organic research and education, Rodale Institute has long championed farming systems that restore soil, strengthen communities, and protect ecosystem health. Now, they’re taking that commitment one step further by certifying their own farm to the ROC™ standard.
In the feature article, “Walking the Talk,” Rodale Institute details what it looks like to undergo rigorous, independent evaluation- demonstrating firsthand how a farm can meet the highest benchmarks in soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Their journey shows that ROC™ is not just an aspirational goal; it is an attainable and transformative framework for farmers ready to deepen their impact.
The article also highlights the broader value of certification in today’s food system. By verifying practices through a trusted third party, ROC™ strengthens transparency, builds consumer trust, and supports a marketplace where integrity is both measured and rewarded. As Jesse Barrett of Rodale shares, “Certifying our farm helps us to educate other farmers that this certification exists and is accessible to them.”
We’re honored to see ROC™ featured in this publication and inspired by Rodale Institute’s leadership in modeling what regenerative organic agriculture can achieve. Their work continues to move the organic movement forward, showing that when we align our farming practices with our values, we can uplift people, animals, and the planet.
📖 Explore the full journal and read the ROC™ feature, Walking the Talk, below.
Regenerative Organic Certified® — an umbrella certification covering environmental protection, animal welfare, and fair trade — represents the highest standard for agriculture in the world. By purchasing Regenerative Organic Certified® products, individuals can connect with a full suite of important values and know at-a-glance that their purchase makes a positive impact at every level: environmentally, ethically, and socially.
We Certify Producers of Crops: Farms, ranches, farmer cooperatives, and grower groups apply to become Regenerative Organic Certified® for all or a portion of their operations.
We Verify Companies Who Use Regenerative Organic Certified® Ingredients in Products: Companies that sell products with Regenerative Organic Certified® claims become licensed with the ROA.
