12 natural companies that are bolstering growth by doing good
A first-of-its-kind ranking of positive impact companies called out these natural companies for their commitment to "applying capitalism for greater profit and greater good."
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Soapbox has donated close to 3 million bars of soap to those in need, both stateside and overseas. These donated bars are made from recycled hotel soap bars that are shaved down, sanitized and reformed to produce a good-as-new bar. The company was founded in 2010 and offers a variety of personal care products, from hair care to bath bombs; it prioritizes a sustainable giving model and hygiene education in the communities it serves.
Andean Naturals champions organic-producing Andes-based quinoa farmers who are currently facing a volatile global marketplace. By extension, the company's efforts to sell this quinoa for a fair price improves the living conditions of the nearly 700 farm families they are partnered with. Quinoa farmers are also assisted by the company to travel to quinoa fields in North America, industry tradeshows and clients' factories.
Vital Farms offers consumers ethically produced eggs and dairy products from humanly treated farm animals. The company was founded in 2007 and quickly picked up by Whole Foods after being noticed at a farmers' market in Austin, Texas. What once was thought to be an unscalable pastured farming model has given way to a thriving, sustainable company and farming community that now operates nationwide.
Gaia is committed to "working with nature to provide people with the best quality herbal supplements." It does so by producing supplements exclusively from ethically and sustainably cultivated raw materials. Gaia has also made notable efforts in regards to regenerative farming, ecological conservation and recycling and waste reduction.
Lotus Rice sells organic, heirloom and Fair Trade specialty rice harvested from family farms across the world. The company also partnered with small-scale farmers in their More Crop Per Drop™ initiative, which allows farmers to double or triple their yields using half the typical amount of water and 80-90 percent less seed. In 2016, the company became a fully certified B corporation.
The Gluten Free Bar is a Certified B Corp that began producing taste-oriented gluten-free protein bars in 2010, when the market was practically empty of delicious gluten-free options. The company hires formerly incarcerated individuals, operates a zero waste facility, supports local nonprofits and emphasizes paying employees above the official living wage.
Grove Collaborative offers consumers 100 percent customizable auto-shipments of all-natural home, beauty and personal care products. The company screens all of its products for ingredient transparency, safety, efficacy, social welfare and cruelty-free practices. It also exclusively works with partners who operate with the same set of standards.
Since 1974 Traditional Medicinals has worked toward infusing sustainability into every step of its tea-making operations. The company runs on 100 percent renewable energy, produces exclusively Non-GMO Project Verified products, has contributed nearly $1 million to domestic and international non-profit organizations and is also providing education to 950 students through five schools it has built in Rajasthan, India.
Yin Yang Naturals is a natural and organic products brokerage that operates nationwide and emphasizes a Kaizen, or continuous improvment, approach to business. It is a Certified B Corp with a team largely consisting of former natural product entrepreneurs, manufacturers, buyers, founders of green organizations and experienced brokers.
Sunshine Nut Company landed on U.S. shelves in 2014 and is operated out of Mozambique by an all-African staff of primarily adult orphans. The company supports and develops philanthropic projects throughout the country with 90 percent of company profits.
Reef-safe and cruelty free company Goddess Garden began with a simple need for effective mineral sunscreen that wouldn't irritate sensitive skin or harm the environment. The company was the first to put mineral suncreen in family-sized sunscreen lotion bottles, making their eco-friendly alternative sunscreens appealing to a much wider audience. The company is a certified B Corp and prides itself on being conscientous without compromising product quality.
Kuli Kuli uses the moringa plant to "drive sustainable economic growth and nutritional security" in the communities it sources the plant from. Moringa is a tropical tree that helps restore degraded soil and doesn't require much water to grow. The revenue generated for the moringa farmers has reached $1.2 million, and 1,365 moringa farmers are currently being supported by the business.
Kuli Kuli uses the moringa plant to "drive sustainable economic growth and nutritional security" in the communities it sources the plant from. Moringa is a tropical tree that helps restore degraded soil and doesn't require much water to grow. The revenue generated for the moringa farmers has reached $1.2 million, and 1,365 moringa farmers are currently being supported by the business.
Out of the 100 companies selected for The Real Leaders' 2019 Top Impact Companies Awards, it's no shock that many of them hail from the traditionally values-driven natural products sphere. From beloved, longstanding brands to exciting newcomers, these companies have succeeded economically largely because of their dedication to making the world a better place.
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