Organic Valley Leads Collaborative Carbon Insetting Initiative for US Dairy

Organic Valley has announced a collaborative initiative with Stonyfield Organic, UNFI, and Whole Foods Market to implement a Carbon Insetting Program targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. organic dairy sector. This program introduces Verified Impact Units (VIUs) that help track and manage farm-level efforts to decrease climate impact.

Alisha Real, UNFI's vice president of sustainability and impact, emphasized the collaboration's potential to lower emissions while creating a resilient supply chain. The program allows various stakeholders, from producers to retailers, to participate in a collective investment in farm-based climate solutions.

Practices included in the program are solar power installations, innovative feed additives to reduce methane emissions, and advanced manure management systems. These methods aim to integrate sustainable practices directly into the dairy production process rather than relying on external offsets.

The Verified Impact Units are third-party verified and publicly reported on the SustainCERT VIVID platform, ensuring transparency and trust in the system. This transparency is crucial for maintaining consumer confidence and industry credibility.

Jessica Luhning, Organic Valley's senior sustainability manager, noted that the program facilitates collaboration across the supply chain, unlocking new ways to meet climate goals and support farmers. This initiative is seen as a pioneering effort in reshaping the environmental footprint of the organic dairy industry.