SIMPLi
Sarela Herrada has had a lifelong connection with traditional indigenous agriculture. Growing up on her family’s organic chicken farm in Lima, Peru, where her father worked alongside farming communities in the Amazon, she was introduced to sustainable practices that have been utilized for thousands of years.
Thus, when she and her husband Matt Cohen established SIMPLi Foods, their commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and ethical sourcing was paramount. A crucial aspect of their mission is to raise awareness about regenerative organic farming and the advantages of sustainably produced food. Herrada states, “We want shoppers to understand why high-quality ingredients are beneficial for both health and the environment.”
SIMPLi aims to transform the global food supply chain, striving for a system that is “more transparent, sustainable, and efficient.” They explain, “We collaborate directly with small-scale farming communities worldwide to connect them to international markets while bolstering their social and environmental projects.”
As highlighted by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, conventional farming methods significantly contribute to climate change. However, there is optimism: the same center notes that “regenerative agriculture could be pivotal in addressing the climate crisis.”
Herrada and Cohen aspire for their company and its offerings to play a role in this solution. “It’s impossible to spend ten minutes with a farmer without discussing climate change. It impacts everyone on this planet,” Herrada asserts. “We want our customers to feel confident that by choosing our products, they are positively contributing to reducing their carbon footprint and redistributing profits back to farmers.”
Regenerative Organic Alliance
For many consumers, the term “Certified Organic” is the highest standard when it comes to food and personal care products. However, the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) aims to enhance this with their “Regenerative Organic Certified” (ROC) label. This certification builds on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards by incorporating additional criteria for soil health, animal welfare, and social equity.
The ROA is composed of a coalition of experts in agriculture, ranching, soil health, animal care, and fairness for farmers and workers. Under the leadership of Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director, the ROA strives to develop sustainable solutions to “the climate crisis, industrial farming, and struggling rural economies.” “We want consumers to appreciate the importance of backing growers, ranchers, brands, and businesses that are setting a positive example,” Whitlow remarks. “Items bearing the ROC label assure consumers that their purchases support positive impacts at every level: environmentally, ethically, and socially.”
“My commitment is to rejuvenate the Earth’s living topsoil,” declares Whitlow. “The answer to our current ecological challenges resides right beneath our feet. The time is now to farm as if our future depends on it!”
This article was originally published in the November-December 2023 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine (US edition).
