Source Regenerative: Your CPG Guide to Sustainable Supply Chains
Navigate the complexities of regenerative agriculture sourcing to build a truly sustainable CPG supply chain. This guide offers practical strategies for identifying, evaluating, and partnering with regenerative suppliers, ensuring both environmental impact and business success.
- ✓ Set clear regenerative practice definitions.
- ✓ Leverage certifications to find suppliers.
- ✓ Track impact from farm to product.
Define Your Regenerative Standards
Clearly establish what 'regenerative' means for your brand. This includes specific practices like cover cropping, no-till farming, and biodiversity enhancement. Align these standards with industry certifications and your brand's sustainability goals. This foundational step ensures consistent sourcing criteria and authentic claims for consumers.
Identify Regenerative Suppliers
Utilize industry networks, certifications (e.g., Regenerative Organic Certified), and specialized platforms to find potential suppliers. Look for transparency in their farming practices and a proven commitment to ecological health. Engage directly with farmers and co-packers to understand their methods and verify their regenerative claims firsthand.
Evaluate Supplier Practices and Impact
Assess supplier practices beyond certifications. Request data on soil health improvements, water usage, and biodiversity metrics. Implement robust traceability systems (like Guidance's platform) to track ingredients from farm to shelf, ensuring organic mass balance and compliance with regulations like FSMA 204. This validates their regenerative impact.
Integrate and Collaborate for Success
Foster long-term partnerships with regenerative suppliers. Integrate their data into your operations platform for real-time COGS, inventory management, and lot traceability. Collaborate on continuous improvement, sharing best practices and market insights. This strengthens your supply chain, reduces risk, and supports mutual growth in the regenerative space.
Put This Into Practice with Guidance
Guidance automates the workflows behind this guide — built specifically for CPG brands.
Apply as a Design Partner →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first steps to start sourcing regeneratively?
Begin by defining your specific regenerative criteria and researching existing certifications. Then, identify potential suppliers who align with these standards and reach out for direct engagement.
How can I verify a supplier's regenerative claims?
Request detailed documentation on their farming practices, soil health data, and certifications. Utilize platforms like Guidance to track traceability and organic mass balance throughout the supply chain for verification.
What are the benefits of using a platform like Guidance for regenerative sourcing?
Guidance centralizes inventory, COGS, traceability, and compliance data, making it easier to manage regenerative ingredients. It ensures transparency, supports FSMA 204, and streamlines co-packer management for sustainable operations.