Nine months ahead of schedule, Applegate has helped to transition 10.8 million acres1 of grasslands to regenerative, exceeding its 2024 goal by 80%.
BEDMINSTER, N.J. , March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — APPLEGATE®, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, announced today that it has achieved its ambitious goal to source 100% of its beef for its award-winning beef hot dogs from certified regenerative grasslands—a full nine months earlier than anticipated. By implementing this change, Applegate is helping to transition 10.8 million acres of grasslands to certified regenerative2, 80% more than its initial goal set in March 2024. The achievement underscores Applegate’s commitment to scaling regenerative practices as part of its mission to develop a holistic system that connects the health of humans, animals and the planet.
“Since its founding, Applegate has been at the forefront of meaningful industry change and, at our core, we believe animals raised right can be a force for good in a healthy food system,” said Joseph O’Connor, President of Applegate. “From leading the raised-with-no-antibiotics-ever movement to becoming a pioneer in organic and regenerative meat, Applegate continues to raise the bar for how food is produced and consumed. Meeting – and beating – this goal demonstrates Applegate’s zeal for change and commitment to leading the meat industry forward.”
As of today, every APPLEGATE® beef hot dog — APPLEGATE ORGANICS® The Great Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dog and APPLEGATE NATURALS® Beef Hot Dog — is now sourced from 100% verified regenerative farms that are certified by Regenerative Organic Certification, Land to Market, and Certified Regenerative endorsed by Certified Humane®. This helps ensure the highest standards of animal welfare while supporting regenerative practices designed to improve soil health and biodiversity, delivering on the company’s promise of producing meat that consumers can feel good about eating.
“It is exciting to see APPLEGATE ORGANICS beef hot dogs now being sourced from Regenerative Organic Certified® grasslands!” notes Christopher Gergen, CEO of the Regenerative Organic Alliance. “The Regenerative Organic Certified®(ROC™) standard builds on organic certification, setting the highest global benchmarks for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Applegate’s commitment to regenerative organic agriculture not only strengthens this movement but also serves as an inspiration for others to follow. Their conversion of 10 million acres to Regenerative Organic Certified® ranch land is a game-changing milestone – accelerating the adoption of regenerative organic practices that benefit farmers, animals, and ecosystems worldwide.”
Applegate defines regenerative agriculture as a series of practices that use animals to make a positive impact on the land. These practices prioritize soil health, biodiversity, water retention and farmer livelihoods, with cattle playing a pivotal role in nurturing ecosystems. The company’s transition to regenerative beef builds on a legacy of innovation and the hope that Applegate’s move can be a catalyst for change across the broader industry.
Carolyn Gahn, senior director of Mission and Advocacy, emphasized the broader impact: “The humble hot dog has long been our way of demonstrating how simple, accessible foods can meet high standards. By choosing APPLEGATE® beef hot dogs, consumers are supporting a strong, sustainable food system that keeps cattle on pasture, nurturing soil, healing the land and enriching rural communities.”
APPLEGATE® natural and organic beef hot dogs made with regeneratively sourced beef are currently shipping to retailers without any impact on pricing. The APPLEGATE® DO GOOD DOG hot dog, which served as a successful pilot to gauge consumer interest, is being discontinued.
For more information, visit www.applegate.com or connect with us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/applegate/, www.facebook.com/applegate.
About Applegate Farms LLC
Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients, and we source from farms where animals are treated with care and respect, pursuant to our Applegate Humanely Raised guidelines all part of our mission – Changing The Meat We Eat®.
Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means our food is:
- From animals that are Applegate Humanely Raised* without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants, and allowed to grow at their natural rate
- From animals fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet (our beef is 100 percent grass-fed)
- Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
- Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives
Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015. For more information about our products, visit www.applegate.com or talk with us on www.facebook.com/Applegate, www.twitter.com/Applegate or send a text to (908) 725-5800.
*Applegate Humanely Raised is a system that raises animals with space to engage in natural behaviors to promote natural growth.
About the Regenerative Organic Alliance:
The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is transforming agriculture by advancing practices that regenerate soil, uphold animal welfare, and ensure fair conditions for farmers and farmworkers. In response to pressing issues like the climate crisis, factory farming, and rural economic challenges, the ROA developed and oversees the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) label. This third-party verified certification builds on organic standards, establishing the highest global benchmarks for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. ROC™-certified food, fiber, and wellness products drive lasting positive change for our planet and communities. Discover more about ROA’s mission and initiatives at https://regenorganic.org.
1 certified regenerative acres by approved third party programs within the Applegate supply chain.
2 certified regenerative acres by approved third party programs within the Applegate supply chain.
SOURCE APPLEGATE
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