SIMPLi
Sarela Herrada’s connection to traditional indigenous agriculture began in her childhood. Growing up on an organic chicken farm in Lima, Peru, where her father engaged with farming communities in the Amazon, she gained insights into regenerative agricultural practices honed over generations.
When she and her husband Matt Cohen established SIMPLi Foods, they prioritized environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and ethical sourcing. Their mission prominently features raising awareness about the advantages of regenerative organic farming and the value of sustainably sourced foods. Herrada emphasizes, “our goal is to educate consumers on why high-quality ingredients benefit both their health and the environment.”
SIMPLi aims to revolutionize the global food supply chain, aspiring to enhance transparency, sustainability, and efficiency. The duo states, “we collaborate directly with small, local farming communities globally to provide them with access to international markets while bolstering their social and environmental projects.”
Research by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment indicates that conventional agricultural methods play a significant role in climate change. However, there’s optimism, as the center also posits that “regenerative agriculture could be instrumental in addressing the climate crisis.”
Herrada and Cohen aspire for their venture and products to contribute to this cause. “It’s impossible to speak with a farmer for ten minutes without discussing climate change. It impacts everyone across the globe,” Herrada points out. “We want our customers to feel confident that by choosing our products, they are positively influencing the world, lessening their carbon impact, and helping farmers financially.”
Regenerative Organic Alliance
For many shoppers, the label “Certified Organic” represents the highest standard for food and personal products. Yet, the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) strives to elevate this with its “Regenerative Organic Certified” (ROC) label. Building on the baseline established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this certification introduces additional criteria focused on soil health, animal welfare, and social equity.
Led by Elizabeth Whitlow, the ROA comprises specialists in farming, ranching, soil health, animal rights, and labor fairness. Their mission is to devise sustainable solutions to issues like the climate crisis, factory farming, and distressed rural economies. Whitlow remarks, “Our aim is for consumers to recognize the significance of backing growers, ranchers, brands, and organizations that are championing these causes. Products bearing the ROC seal assure customers that their purchases yield positive effects on environmental, ethical, and social fronts.”
“My passion is rejuvenating the Earth’s living layer,” declares Whitlow. “The key to our contemporary environmental crises resides in the soil beneath us. We must act now as if our survival depends on it!”
This article was initially featured in the November-December 2023 issue of Intomodel magazine (US edition).
