Certified B Corp Seven Sundays sets an example for small brands
For Seven Sundays co-founder Hannah Barnstable, achieving B Corp certification was a no-brainer. But surprisingly, hers was the first food company in Minnesota to earn the designation.
December 5, 2019
In the 12 years since B Lab certified its first B Corporation, some 3,000 companies across 150 industries in 64 nations have earned this prestigious distinction. Through a rigorous evaluation process, each Certified B Corporation has proven that it exemplifies social and environmental stewardship and public transparency and balances profit with purpose. Patagonia, Burton, New Belgium Brewing and Danone North America are among the well-known brands bearing the simple black-and-white seal.
With more and more companies applying for B Corp status, awareness of this certification has grown significantly—especially within the natural products industry, which has long championed sustainability, transparency and mission-driven business. Given the synergies with B Lab’s ethos, it may come as a surprise that of the thousands of U.S.-based B Corps, only about 90 are food companies. This certainly surprised Hannah Barnstable, co-founder of sustainably sourced muesli brand Seven Sundays, which in November became the first food company in Minnesota to earn B Corp designation.