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Lundberg Family Farms debuts ROC basmati rice at Expo West
Meeting Regenerative Organic Certified standards for its white rice is the most recent step in the brand's journey to improve the planet, but not the last.
March 9, 2023
3 Min Read
Lundberg Family Farms
Lundberg Family Farms today announced it is the first U.S. grown rice brand to introduce Regenerative Organic Certified Rice.
As part of its robust sustainability efforts, the company has also set a goal to certify all the organic rice it grows by 2027. Lundburg is a leading grower of organic rice and maker of best-selling packaged rice and rice snacks.
In September 2020, Rodale Institute recognized Lundberg Family Farms as for its contributions to the organic movement.
While there is currently no regulatory or legal definition set forth to claim regenerative practices, it is widely acknowledged that prioritizing soil health is a foundation of regenerative farming. Certifying bodies such as Regenerative Organic Alliance are beginning to emerge to create standards like Regenerative Organic Certified. Lundberg chose to work with ROA to certify its Regenerative Organic white basmati rice.
Lundberg's regenerative practices for its Regenerative Organic white basmati rice include:
Prioritizing soil health—Lundberg treats the soil like a living thing by feeding it a diverse diet that includes compost and cover crops, which can help sequester carbon, restore nutrients to the soil, reduce weeds, and prevent erosion. This results in an estimated 00,000 pounds of organic matter per acre.
Using water for multiple benefits—Agriculture depends on water. However, California rice farmers use water for more than growing rice. The region's heavy clay adobe soil holds water like a bathtub so it can be recycled. According to the California Rice Commission, 40% of the water used to grow rice is recycled. Some of the water even returns to rivers and streams, where zooplankton from the fields can help healthy salmon grow.
Providing wildlife habitat—Rice fields replicate California's once-abundant wetlands and provide habitat for more than 200 species. Each winter, Lundberg floods a portion of its fields to provide habitat and nutrition for wintering waterfowl, whose feet press rice straw into the soil, which can help decompose the straw and turn it into mulch for the next year's crop.
As early supporters of California Certified Organic Farmers, Lundberg participated in the development of organic standards and believes that, similarly, the development of regenerative organic standards will help hold the industry accountable and build consumer trust.
"Regenerative systems are often context-specific, and certification should not be treated as one-size-fits all. Each region and crop will need to implement different standards based on soil type, weather conditions, ecosystem and crop needs," said Craig Stevenson, CEO at Lundberg. "Lundberg is working closely with certifying bodies like ROA to develop standards for California-grown rice. We recognize the urgency and importance of this certification effort."
Beginning April 4, Lundberg's Regenerative Organic Certified rice will be exclusively sold at Whole Foods Market across the country, but the company expects it to be available to other retailers later in the spring.
Source: Lundberg Family Farms
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