Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FREE) a global
food company enabling healthier lifestyles through premium
plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods, will
bring some of the first Regenerative Organic Certified sweeteners
to market under its Wholesome® brand. Wholesome, founded in 2001,
was a pioneer in establishing Fair Trade standards within the
sweetener aisle, bringing consumers high quality products that can
have a positive impact on people and planet. Wholesome has worked
with Whole Foods Market to launch its Regenerative Organic
Certified cane and turbinado sugars nationwide in the United States
in January 2023.
Regenerative Organic Certified is a
revolutionary new agricultural certification for food, textiles,
and personal care ingredients. According to the Regenerative
Organic Alliance, it is based on three pillars requiring farmers to
go above and beyond in practices that ensure healthy soil, the
ethical and humane treatment of animals, and fairness for farmers
and workers. Regenerative Organic Certified was created through a
partnership between Rodale Institute™, Dr. Bronner’s® and
Patagonia® as well as others, to address the climate crisis, soil
degradation, biodiversity loss, factory farming, and fractured
rural economies globally.
Wholesome launched the first Regenerative
Organic Certified Cane Sugar in Whole Foods Market following a
rollout beginning on January 16th to 516 Whole Foods Market stores
across the United States. In addition to being labeled Regenerative
Organic Certified, both the Cane and Turbinado Sugars are packaged
in a 72% bio-resin pouch that utilizes a bio-resin made from
sugarcane, reducing the use of virgin plastic in the supply
chain.
“We’re very proud of this Wholesome launch, as
the regenerative organic farming practices used to produce our
Regenerative Organic Certified sugarcane at our partner farms in
South America help restore the soil, capture carbon from the
atmosphere and stay true to our Fair Wholesome Values,” said
Michael Franklin, Interim CEO, Whole Earth Brands. “As consumer
education around regenerative organic farming increases, Wholesome
Regenerative Organic Certified cane and turbinado sugars will
provide an opportunity for consumers to vote for regenerative
organic agriculture with their dollars. We are excited that Whole
Foods Market is distributing our certified sugars to their national
store footprint, which will expand awareness of the regenerative
movement at large.”
According to Mintel, 48% of US consumers believe
their behavior can make a positive impact on the environment1. By
distributing Regenerative Organic Certified cane and turbinado
sugars nationwide at Whole Foods Market, which are also USDA
Organic Certified™, Fair Trade Certified™, Non-GMO Project Verified
and certified Kosher, Wholesome seeks to empower consumers to make
everyday changes, such as sweetening and baking with Regenerative
Organic Certified sugars versus conventionally grown sugars, that
will have positive ripple effects on the environment and social
welfare.
Ana Maria Huertas Buitrago, category merchant at
Whole Foods Market, added, “Wholesome is a pioneer in the sweetener
category, leading by example and helping to push the boundaries of
what is possible in regenerative organic sourcing and
certifications. We look forward to bringing these products to
grocery shelves to help build awareness of Regenerative Organic
Certified and the regenerative organic movement with Whole Foods
Market shoppers.”
Whole Earth Brands is dedicated to creating
positive change within the sweeteners category through sourcing
leadership and supporting the Regenerative Organic Alliance, parent
organization of Regenerative Organic Certified. The Company
believes that through continued investment and development of
additional Regenerative Organic Certified products, it will drive
momentum of the regenerative organic agriculture movement and help
improve agricultural practices within the sweetener category and
beyond.
About Wholesome
Wholesome is North America’s leader in Fair
Trade, organic and Non-GMO sweeteners, including sugar, honey,
agave, and more. At Wholesome, we strive to source and produce the
highest quality, best tasting ingredients in the world while
positively impacting people and caring for the planet. To us, high
quality begins with how our crops are grown, and we are committed
to organic agricultural practices on every piece of land we touch.
As a company, we are dedicated to elevating the standard of living
for people across the world through Fair Trade, and we believe that
responsible business means caring for the planet. We stand up for
what we believe in and work to continually do better, every day, so
that you can feel good about the products you buy, knowing they
make life sweeter for all. To learn more about our brand and our
founding story, visit WholesomeSweet.com
About Whole Earth Brands
Whole Earth Brands is a global food company
enabling healthier lifestyles and providing access to premium
plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods through
our diverse portfolio of trusted brands and delicious products,
including Whole Earth®, Wholesome®, Swerve®, Pure Via®, Equal® and
Canderel®. With food playing a central role in people’s health and
wellness, Whole Earth Brands’ innovative product pipeline addresses
the growing consumer demand for more dietary options, baking
ingredients and taste profiles. Our world-class global distribution
network is the largest provider of plant-based sweeteners in more
than one hundred countries with a vision to expand our portfolio to
responsibly meet local preferences. We are committed to helping
people enjoy life’s everyday moments and the celebrations that
bring us together. For more information on how we “Open a World of
Goodness®,” please visit www.WholeEarthBrands.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements (including within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning Whole Earth Brands, Inc.
and its products and their impact on the environment and reflects
Whole Earth Brands’ current beliefs and expectations. There can be
no assurance any such forward-looking statements or any business
results of Whole Earth Brands will ultimately be accurate or
successful. These statements are subject to the risks and
uncertainties indicated from time to time in the documents the
Company files (or furnishes) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Contacts:Whole Earth
BrandsAdriane Pilcher
248.640.5484Adriane.pilcher@wholeearthbrands.com
Regenerative Organic
AllianceMelissa Welles415.519.1182
Tara
Blazona415.519.1182comms@regenorganic.org
__________________________________1 Source: Mintel “Why Being
Sustainable is No Longer Enough” April 2022. Base:500 internet
users aged 18+Source: Kantar Profiles/Mintel Sustainability
Barometer, March 2021.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cdb2ff76-b91f-4af5-b21d-27d9a128f035
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1bbf1628-991d-4cac-a90f-12fa0ae4fe1d
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