The Future of Food Is Regenerative: Insights from Rodale Institute
The conversation around organic and regenerative agriculture has expanded from a niche discussion into a broader, active shift in how food is grown, distributed, and consumed. As climate pressures intensify, supply chains evolve, and consumers seek greater transparency, regenerative organic agriculture is gaining traction as a long-term approach to building a more resilient food system.
KeHE Distributors® is proud to be part of this shift. As a leading partner to natural and organic brands and retailers, KeHE plays an active role in bringing this movement to scale. That commitment is shown with the relaunch of Wild Oats™, a brand KeHE introduced to market carrying the first-ever Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) cold-pressed juices and smoothies, alongside a line of ROC and certified organic eggs. Wild Oats is a signal of where the broader natural foods category is heading: products that meet the highest bar for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness, brought to retailers through a supply chain built to support them.
To better understand the momentum behind regenerative organic agriculture and what it means for the future of food, we sat down with leaders from Rodale Institute, a pioneer in organic agriculture research, to discuss the movement, its impact, and where it is headed next.
Q: Rodale Institute has been a pioneer in organic agriculture research for decades. Can you share a bit about your role in shaping the organic movement and advancing regenerative organic farming
Rodale Institute is the birthplace of the modern organic movement and the world’s most trusted agricultural research and education nonprofit organization. Since our founding in 1947, Rodale Institute has proven that organic farming is not only viable but essential to humanity’s survival. With decades of long-term trials and on-farm innovation, Rodale Institute provides the evidence, expertise, and support needed to scale farming practices that restore the environment and strengthen rural economies.
One of our most significant contributions is the Farming Systems Trial, a 45-year scientific study that compares organic and conventional grain cropping systems and provides valuable insights into the long-term benefits of organic practices. This research has directly influenced USDA organic standards and shaped how farmers and policymakers understand organic agriculture.
Rodale Institute also co-founded the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which oversees Regenerative Organic Certifications, setting the highest standard for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness, guiding consumers toward products that support sustainable, regenerative practices. We are not just researching organic agriculture. We are actively building the standards and frameworks that scale it globally
Q: Why is regenerative organic agriculture so important for the future of our food system?
Regenerative organic agriculture is essential because it addresses the greatest challenges facing our food system: climate change, public health, and economic viability for farmers. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which release nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Rodale Institute studies indicate that transitioning to regenerative organic agriculture can drastically reduce these emissions, with organic practices generating up to 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Healthy soil is fundamental not just for agriculture but for the overall health of our planet and communities. By increasing microbial diversity and organic matter, organic practices contribute to carbon capture, drought protection, flood resistance, and disease defense, ultimately leading to healthier food production.
Beyond climate, the science is clear. Healthy soil means healthy food and healthy people. Healthy soil is also one of the largest catalysts to help heal the planet. The future of food depends on it.
Q: Regenerative Organic Certified is often described as a more holistic standard. Why are soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness critical components?
Regenerative Organic Certified is a holistic certification intended to increase soil organic matter over time, sequester carbon, mitigate climate change, improve animal welfare, and support economic stability and fairness, with USDA Organic positioned as a baseline to safeguard label integrity and reduce consumer confusion.
What makes this certification different is that it is a robust, comprehensive, third-party verified standard. Soil health measures whether organic matter is increasing over time, which directly impacts carbon sequestration and climate resilience. Animal welfare standards ensure humane treatment beyond confinement systems. Social fairness addresses the economic reality that if farmers cannot make a living, the system is not sustainable.
These pillars are interconnected. Healthy soil produces nutrient-dense food. Humane animal practices align with regenerative principles. Fair wages and economic stability help keep farmers in business for the long term.
Q: Are there any common misconceptions about organic or regenerative organic agriculture?
One major misconception is that organic yields are lower. By applying rigorous scientific analysis and real-world practices, Rodale Institute has demonstrated that organic farming can yield up to 30% more during periods of extreme weather events due to improved soil health and water-holding capacity.
Research also shows that organic systems use 45% less energy and emit 40% fewer carbon emissions. The real advantage of organic is not just comparable yields but resilience when conditions become more challenging.
Q: What role do stakeholders across the food system play in helping regenerative organic agriculture scale?
Scaling regenerative organic agriculture requires collaboration across the entire food system. Rodale Institute is working to expand regenerative organic agriculture globally by increasing training, growing research, expanding virtual education, and developing new partnerships.
This includes working with food distributors, brands, and retailers to help bring regenerative organic products to more consumers. As consumer demand grows, these partnerships help build infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, and support farmers transitioning to regenerative practices.
Consumer demand plays an important role. When shoppers choose organic and regenerative products, it signals the market and companies respond. The future depends on equipping farmers, consumers, and industries to participate in a healthier agricultural system at scale.
Looking Ahead
Momentum behind regenerative organic agriculture continues to grow as science, consumer demand, and industry collaboration align. For retailers, brands, and wholesale grocery distributors, this shift represents both an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape the future of food.
Through collaboration across the supply chain, regenerative organic agriculture can continue to scale and create lasting impact. KeHE’s Category Managers are committed to helping brands and retailers navigate every step of that journey, staying in lock-step with the consumers driving it.
Learn more about how KeHE can help your brand or retail business grow by visiting KeHE.com.