May 2024

Investing in Sustainable Agriculture and Food

Above: Seth Goldman visiting Just Ice Tea’s Fair Trade tea fields in Zambezia Province in Mozambique

Welcome to our May issue on ‘Investing in Sustainable Agriculture and Food.” This issue represents our increased focus on this topic as it will be a cover theme twice a year going forward. Why? Because it answers the interests of you, our readers. And I personally really like the topic, as multi-layered as it is.

This month’s theme is part of several earth-related themes for Spring. If you missed our important April issue on ‘The Future of Water’ you can find it here. This vital topic impacts every business and every community.

Now, on to the impressive May writers and topics: Seth Goldman of Eat The Change/Just Ice Tea on going From Honest to Just: How Coca-Cola’s Fumble with Honest Tea Turned into an Unexpected Gift; Mary Beth Gallagher of Domini Impact Investments reports on Investing in Value Creation through Regenerative Agriculture; Craig Wichner of Farmland LP examines Weather’s Impact on Investing in U.S. Agriculture; and Molly Frey of Frey Vineyards tells the story of our country’s first organic winery in Pioneers in Organic Winemaking.  

Also learn about Funding Local Food Systems to Meet the Impacts of a Changing Climate by Leah Batt and Bradley Russell of CEI. Then long-time friend Steve Hoffman of Compass Natural shares the latest trends in the organic and natural marketplace. And as we were going to press, the fourth annual Transformative 25 List was just released. Finally, check out our featured Video and Podcast for this month.

I close with some good news: GreenMoney was presented with a new award last month. We received the “Business Excellence Award” for 2024 from Acquisition International. The GreenMoney team is honored to accept the award.  

Also, GreenMoney is turning 250 this summer. More details forthcoming on our special 250th issue, but if you want a preview or would like to be a sponsor, drop me an email to cliff@greenmoney.com

Finally, as you all know it has been a busy conference season that continues through June and picks up in September – so stay up to date on forthcoming events with GreenMoney’s Global Events Calendar. 

 – Cliff Feigenbaum, founder & publisher

From Honest to Just: How Coca-Cola’s Fumble with Honest Tea Turned into an Unexpected Gift

Seth Goldman
Eat The Change and Just Ice Tea
Two years ago Coca-Cola told me that Honest Tea, the brand I launched, would be discontinued. Despite its success as the first organic and Fair Trade certified bottled tea brand, supply chain disruptions during the pandemic made it a victim of Coke’s new strategy. But what felt like a huge setback turned out to be a gift, and an interesting lesson in the challenges big corporations have in scaling mission-driven brands.
 

Investing in Value Creation through Regenerative Agriculture

Mary Beth Gallagher
Domini Impact Investments
The Food and Ag industry contributes a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including changing patterns of drought, precipitation, and extreme heat. So, a new approach is needed and as investors, we can influence the move away from the extractive and exploitative status quo, which has significant negative externalities, and transition to a more resilient system that can thrive over the long term.
 

Weather’s Impact on Investing in US Agriculture: Navigating the New Normal

Craig Wichner
Farmland LP
Napa cabernet. Florida oranges. Georgia peaches. Washington apples. Why are crops so associated with places? As an investor, it's crucial to recognize the impact that weather and climate have on Ag. Weather patterns dictate the success or failure of crops, influence land management decisions, and shape the financial landscape for Ag investments. Understanding these interactions, and their changes, is critical to not only the farmer working the land, but those investing in it.
 

Pioneers in Organic Winemaking

Molly Frey
Frey Vineyards
Frey Vineyards started as a commitment to organic Ag and winemaking when there was none. In 1980, Katrina and Jonathan Frey made their first barrel of wine. They both had become organic farmers, under Alan Chadwick's tutelage, and decided to embark on their enterprise: founding America's first organic winery. With the support of Jonathan's brother Matthew, they built the first winery, became certified organic, and started fermenting Frey wine. Pioneering the only organic winery at the time.
 
 

Eat Drink Think Podcast from Edible Communities – Sixteen years after their Food, Inc. film was released, Food, Inc. 2 comes “back for seconds” to reveal how corporate consolidation has gone unchecked, leaving a highly efficient yet shockingly vulnerable food system dedicated to profit over people. In this episode, host Amy O’Neill Houck talks with producer Michael Pollan and co-director Melissa Robledo about how innovative farmers, food producers, workers’ rights activists, and prominent legislators are facing these companies head-on to create a more sustainable, equitable future. Food, Inc. 2 is now available for streaming.

Funding Local Food Systems to Meet the Impacts of a Changing Climate

Funding Local Food Systems to Meet the Impacts of a Changing Climate

Leah Batt and Bradley Russell
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)
The resilience of our food system requires diversification, which means an emphasis on localized processing, distribution, and retail. Ag and food system lending is an area that many mainstream banks hesitate to engage in. However, more CDFIs are prioritizing investment in food systems, seeing it as core to building community resilience and meeting their mission to provide capital access to more people, businesses, and communities.
Climate Change Could Increase Food Inflation Globally

Climate Change Could Increase Food Inflation Globally

Moriah Costa
Climate and Capital Media
Climate change will increase food inflation by as much as 4% in some parts of the world by 2060, a new joint study from a climate scientist and the ECB found. Looking at monthly price indices across 121 countries along with temperature and precipitation factors since 1996, the analysis found a consistent price increase in food and inflation as temperatures rose. The cost of food could increase by 1.5% to 1.8% annually.
Natural Industry Growth Accelerates

Natural Industry Growth Accelerates

Steven Hoffman
Compass Natural
“Between 2007 and 2012 we added $40 billion in consumer sales. That growth doubled to $80 billion added between 2018 and 2023. And we're anticipating continued accelerated growth for our industry as consumers increasingly of all generations demand healthier, better for you, more sustainable, more regenerative, natural, organic and conscious products,” said New Hope Network’s Carlotta Mast
Pet Food and Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Pet Food and Regenerative Organic Agriculture

“We recognized the need for transparency and accountability in pet food production. We believe it is our responsibility to our pets to be good stewards of the land and replenish the soil that produces the food we eat. Our goals include rebuilding topsoil, increasing carbon capture, and growing food in the most sustainable way possible to transform the health of pets and the planet,” said John Dewberry, Cave Pets
Transformative 25 - Catalytic Funds Raise Over $1.13 Billion for Non-extractive Finance

Transformative 25: Catalytic Funds Raise $1 Billion for Non-extractive Finance

CAJF has released their new Transformative 25 (T25) list of impact first community informed capital funds, banks, and initiatives transforming the finance sector towards one that enriches people and the planet. T25 funds employ a mix of holistic strategies such as diverse leadership, integrated capital, creative financial tools, regenerative returns, values-aligned mission, and more to drive transformative change in finance.
Green Centurys Leslie Samuelrich Named to Prestigious Barrons List

Green Century’s Leslie Samuelrich Named to Prestigious Barron’s List

For the second consecutive year, Leslie Samuelrich, President of Green Century Funds, was named to the Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance, joining a corps of noteworthy women in government, technology, banking and financial powerhouses. Leslie has been a vocal and active leader, promoting environmentally and sustainable investing for the past 10 years at the helm of Green Century.

 
X