Applegate, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, announced 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 regenerative, 80% more than its initial goal set last March. 

“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.”

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 hot dogs transition to 100% beef from Regenerative Organic Certified Grasslands,” said LaRhea Pepper, interim CEO and vice-chair ROA Board of Directors. “ROC programs start with the best practices from USDA Organic, Fair Trade and animal welfare standards and build in layers of protection for land, water, flora and fauna. We hope Applegate's commitment to regenerative organic standards will inspire others to follow their lead and drive global environmental impact."

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.  Applegate natural and organic beef hot dogs made with regeneratively-sourced beef will start shipping in March without any impact to pricing. 

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. Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 201