Applegate Farms, one of the country’s leading natural and organic meat brands, has released its second annual Mission Report, offering a data-rich look into how the company is advancing its long-held commitment to “Changing The Meat We Eat.”
The 2024–2025 report outlines measurable progress across four core mission pillars: environmental sustainability, animal welfare, ingredient integrity and people.
Among the most notable achievements, Applegate announced that it reached its regenerative agriculture target nine months ahead of schedule. As of March 2025, 100% of the beef used in the company’s all-beef hot dogs is now sourced from certified regenerative farms. The early completion of this milestone means that the company has nearly doubled the anticipated acreage impact in half the originally projected time. The farms utilize holistic grazing methods that support soil health, biodiversity, carbon storage and water retention—key elements in regenerative farming systems.
“This year’s Mission Report reflects how far we’ve come—and how serious we are about continuing to advance what we believe will make a better food system,” said Carolyn Gahn, Senior Director of Mission and Advocacy at Applegate. “From advancing regenerative agriculture to investing in third-party certified animal welfare, to expanding our line of allergen-friendly products, we’re using our scale to better serve people, animals and the planet.”
Applegate tracks its impact through its Mission Standards Index, a proprietary framework that evaluates progress across the company’s mission initiatives. Updated annually, the index provides year-over-year benchmarks that aim to ensure long-term accountability.
Environmental metrics featured in the report show that Applegate’s support for organic farming helped prevent the use of approximately 245,000 pounds of synthetic pesticides and 421,000 pounds of nitrogen fertilizers. The company also estimates that its grass-fed beef products helped prevent 79,000 tons of soil erosion. In collaboration with Ecotone Analytics, Applegate has expanded its efforts to quantify environmental return on investment.
On animal welfare, the company established a new Animal Welfare Steering Committee in 2024, led in part by animal science expert Dr. Temple Grandin. The committee is tasked with driving technological improvements and higher standards in animal care. That same year, Applegate received the Good Chicken Award from Compassion in World Farming.
In its focus on people, the company reports that more than a third of its workforce has been with the brand for over a decade. Applegate continues to support food education, equity-focused partnerships and employee volunteerism.
Product innovation remains a key focus. In 2024, the company introduced nine new offerings and joined the Nutrient Density Alliance to promote the health benefits of foods grown through regenerative agriculture. Over 75% of Applegate’s portfolio is now free from the top nine allergens, while more than 35% is certified organic and non-GMO.
“The publication of our 2024 Mission Report represents a crucial step in building trust through transparency,” said Joe O’Connor, President of Applegate. “We want our stakeholders—whether they’re suppliers, retailers or consumers—to understand the impact of their support, and what it means to play a role in bringing Applegate products to the table.”
Applegate’s latest report underscores a broader industry shift toward accountability in sustainable sourcing and product development, as food companies increasingly look to back mission-driven claims with quantifiable results.
Find out more at: https://www.applegate.com