Agriculture is one of our biggest indicators and influencers of human and planetary health, which is why we have always strived to source through a regenerative agriculture lens. With our new Regenerative Organic Certified® commitment, we're building further trust and transparency in our sourcing.
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A customer favorite and brand staple for almost two decades, Navitas Organics Cacao Powder is our first product to be Regenerative Organic Certified®. Our work with the Regenerative Organic Alliance is a milestone, cementing our commitment to our growers and customers as we address the cacao industry's historical legacy of exploitation and unethical labor practices.
Navitas Organics Regenerative Organic Certified® Cacao Powder is grown by smallholder cacao farmers in the Dominican Republic. By partnering with smallholder farms and cooperatives like FUNDOPO, we can be confident that our regenerative cacao not only offers the highest quality and nutrient density, but also supports the development of integrated, inclusive, and restorative farming practices that honor growers’ sovereignty, economy and environment.
Sourcing from smallholder farmers instead of large plantations brings significant social and environmental benefits as well. Our growers practice regenerative agriculture, promoting biodiversity and forest restoration. These farms support local communities by providing fair wages and improving living standards. Additionally, smallholder farms contribute to reforestation and sustainable land management, enhancing the overall health of ecosystems and ensuring the long-term viability of cacao cultivation.
While the Regenerative Organic Certified® designation is new, its practices have been around for thousands of years, drawn from the ancestral knowledge of cultures around the globe. They vary with each region’s unique natural resources, climate conditions and ecological dynamics; however, the common thread through these diverse practices is growing food in a way that follows and supports nature.
Today, these practices have been codified under the Regenerative Organic Alliance with the label of Regenerative Organic Certified® as a way of assessing the full ecological impact of agricultural producers and providers. Regenerative Organic practices ensure that healthy food doesn’t come at the cost of the people who grow it or the land it was grown on.
● Minimal soil disturbance
● Crop rotation
● Vegetative cover
● Composting
● Protecting native fauna and flora
● Conserving natural bodies of water
● Minimizing waste
● No deforestation
● No extractive practices
● No synthetic additives
● Natural and healthy food
● Clean water
● Appropriate and adequate shelter
● Maximum exposure to natural light
● Treatment for injury or disease
● No permanent confinement
● No force feeding
● No physical modifications
● Safe and respectful working conditions
● Fair labor practices
● Living wage and timely payment
● Transparency in employment negotiation and contract
● Worker independence and endowment
● Freedom for workers to organize
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