APPLEGATE has released its second annual Mission Report, providing a transparent, data-driven update on its mission: Changing The Meat We Eat. The 2024–2025 report outlines measurable progress across four key pillars: People, Environmental Sustainability, Ingredient Integrity, and Animal Welfare.
“The publication of our 2024 Mission Report represents a crucial step in building trust through transparency,” said Joe O’Connor, president of Applegate. “We want our stakeholders—whether suppliers, retailers or consumers—to see the impact of their support and what it means to bring APPLEGATE products to the table.”
Mission Milestones & Impact Highlights
Regenerative Agriculture:
- Applegate surpassed its goal to source 100% of the beef in its award-winning beef hot dogs from certified regenerative farms—nine months ahead of schedule.
- This initiative may positively impact twice the projected acreage in half the expected time, supporting practices that improve soil health, biodiversity, water retention, and carbon sequestration.
Animal Welfare:
- Formed a new Animal Welfare Steering Committee, including expert Dr. Temple Grandin, to drive innovation and ethical standards.
- Honored with the 2024 Good Chicken Award from Compassion in World Farming.
Environmental Sustainability:
- In collaboration with Ecotone Analytics, Applegate estimated that its organic sourcing helped avoid:
- 245,000 pounds of synthetic pesticides
- 421,000 pounds of nitrogen fertilizers
- 79,000 tons of soil erosion through grass-fed beef programs
People:
- Over one-third of Applegate employees have been with the company for 10+ years.
- Continued investments in employee volunteerism, food education, and equity-driven community partnerships.
Ingredient Integrity:
- Launched nine new products in 2024
- Joined the Nutrient Density Alliance to raise awareness about the benefits of regenerative agriculture
- Currently, 75%+ of products are free from the top nine allergens, and 35%+ are certified organic and non-GMO
“This year’s Mission Report reflects how far we’ve come—and how committed we are to creating a better food system,” said Carolyn Gahn, Senior Director of Mission and Advocacy. “From investing in regenerative agriculture to improving animal welfare and ingredient standards, we’re leveraging our scale to serve people, animals, and the planet better.”
The report also introduces the Applegate Mission Standards Index, a proprietary framework used to track and improve the company’s performance year over year across its four mission pillars.
