Blog Feed - "Mission"

Tell the USDA to Stop Clucking Around with Organic Standards!

September 23, 2022

The Organic label should reflect consumer expectations–including animal welfare. We all think we know what “organic” means when we see it on a label. When it comes to meat, that includes giving animals plenty of space and time outside. Unfortunately, there are fewer rules than you might think, especially for poultry. That has allowed some farmers to follow the letter, if not the spirit of the rules, weakening the credibility of the Organic standard and the Organic label we all know and, should, trust.

Three school age children wearing uniforms

Applegate Will Match Donations to After School All Stars*

November 30, 2021

One Small Act from You, One Huge Difference in a Child’s Life

Our Commitments and Contributions to Regenerative Agriculture

November 03, 2021

Regenerative agriculture is the latest buzzword in the meat industry—and for good reason. Holistic practices, especially holistic grazing of livestock, have the potential to slash methane emissions, enrich soil health, boost biodiversity, and even sequester carbon. There’s no time to waste.

Help squash superbugs! Antibiotic resistance is on the rise (again!)

June 02, 2021

For two years in a row, the number of antibiotics given to animals has jumped. Sales of medically important antibiotics climbed 11% between 2017 and 2019, according to recent FDA figures, with pork producers leading the charge. The numbers are moving in the wrong direction.

Meat-ing the Future.

May 27, 2021

Last year, the world endured a radical shock. And in few places was that more obvious than in the food system. Shelves were empty. Prices rose. Change, everyone agreed, was necessary. As we emerge from the thick of the crisis, it is time to put those changes in place, to build a more resilient and equitable food system. Here, at Applegate, that means doing more than simply limiting our impact on the planet. It means pioneering and championing smart, holistic systems that produce quality meat while actually improving the land and the soil.

Mission Matters: Lance Price

November 10, 2020

Meet Lance Price, professor at the George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health and the founding director of GW’s Antibiotic Resistance Action Center. Dr. Price works at the interface between science and policy. We caught up with him to get the latest on the crisis of antibiotic resistance.

Mission Matters: John Ghingo

November 10, 2020

Meet John Ghingo, president of Applegate, meat-lover, changemaker. John joined Applegate in 2018 and since then has been leading the charge to keep meat on the table. Find out why—and how—below:

Mission Matters: Michelle Hughes

November 09, 2020

Meet Michelle Hughes, equity and organizational change manager at the National Young Farmers Coalition. Michelle joined the coalition to help farmers like herself to get their start in a system that by and large excludes them. Michelle gave us a primer on the challenges that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers face and what we all can do to make a difference.

We’re listening. We're learning. We’re taking action.

July 01, 2020

In recent weeks, Applegate has been reflecting on what we can do, as a company, to improve racial equity and make a meaningful, lasting impact both inside our company and externally. Today, we’re ready to start the work we hope will make a difference.

Don't Cancel Meat. Make It Better.

May 21, 2020

When the reality of the coronavirus hit home in March, Americans rushed to the grocery store. They bought toilet paper and flour, meat and canned fruits and vegetables. But just as revealing as what they did buy was what they didn’t. Even when the store shelves were at their most empty, it was still pretty easy to get a plant-based burger.

Mission Continues with COVID-19

May 06, 2020

Since 1987, Applegate has been on a mission: Changing The Meat We Eat.® With the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), putting unprecedented demands on the food system, that mission is more important now than ever. Applegate is paying close attention to the situation, and we’re working with partners – from farmers to warehouse distributors – to take extra measures that put safety first during this challenging time. Our team is working around the clock on precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and minimize disruptions in getting you the high-quality natural and organic meats you expect from Applegate.

Tagged in: COVID19

Hiring For Change

April 29, 2020

Change doesn’t just happen. It requires great leadership. That’s why Applegate®, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, is proud to have added three experienced and progressive leaders to our team.

Go Applegatarian!

February 04, 2020

The 'Go Applegatarian' movement is an extension of our brand's mission- Changing The Meat We Eat®- and we couldn't be more excited to launch it!

A Letter to the USDA From Our President: Consumers Have a Right to Know What's in Their Food

June 22, 2018

Applegate is the nation’s leading natural and organic meat company, with a reputation built on trust and transparency. That is why the company has always supported GMO labeling.

Food Allergies and The GFCF Diet

April 16, 2018

Food allergies are a serious matter for many families and one of the motivating factors as to why we choose to keep our ingredient lists simple and clean.

A Warm Welcome to Our New President

April 09, 2018

We’re excited to introduce our newest changemaker: Applegate President John Ghingo!

USDA Chickens Out on Us

March 14, 2018

This isn’t the first time the people responsible for setting the standards to protect us have let us down, and unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last.

Talk Is Cheap…Applegate Walks the Talk on Animal Welfare

February 28, 2018

Did you think it’s fair to label a package of bacon as organic if it was sourced from a farm where pigs are kept in crates? Yeah, we don’t either.

How We’re Doing on Our Plan to Remove GMOs

October 05, 2017

In June 2015, we removed GMO ingredients from all of our products. In 2016, we went a step further: promising to take GMOs out of our entire supply chain and seeking third-party verification for all of our products.

Celebrating 30 Years of Fearlessly Reading Hot Dog Labels

September 13, 2017

Thirty years ago, Applegate was founded on the simple premise of, “What if you weren’t afraid to read a hot dog label?” This bold question became a mission: Changing The Meat We Eat®.

The Cleaner Wiener™ Is Now Even Cleaner

June 28, 2017

Our natural and organic 100% grass-fed beef hot dogs are officially verified by the Non-GMO Project.

Tell the USDA to Stop Clucking Around on Animal Welfare!

May 18, 2017

Pardon the play on words, but the headline on this blog is pretty dead on regarding the latest action, (or should I say inaction?) at the United States Department of Agriculture regarding animal welfare rules for Organic.

Our Commitment to More Humane Chicken Standards

March 03, 2017

At Applegate, we take pride in being the nation’s leading natural and organic meat company. We have never been content with the status quo, especially when it comes to animal welfare.

Why Animal Welfare Standards Should Be Part of Organic Meat Labeling

April 14, 2016

The United States Department of Agriculture took a huge step forward on April 7, 2016 by proposing a rule that would make animal welfare standards part of its requirements for organic certification.