ST. LOUIS — U.S. soy is taking a big step to make its mark as a global leader in sustainability. From January 19 through March 19, the United Soybean Board is teaming up with partners from Soylent and DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences in a pilot program identifying their products and ingredients as being made with sustainably grown U.S. soy. The companies will use the new Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark, which recognizes soy ingredients that have originated from a system of continuous improvement. The goal of this food industry innovation is to improve sustainability in product supply chains from farm to fork.
“It feels good knowing that when I grow this nutrient-dense protein, I am not only helping the food industry feed millions of families across the country sustainably but also contributing to a cleaner planet for the next generation,” said USB farmer-leader Belinda Burrier, who grows soybeans in Maryland.
The Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark is based on a national system of sustainability and conservation laws and regulations and farmer participation in the U.S. Farm Program. It seeks to increase demand for soybeans grown by U.S. farmers who commit to practices such as conservation tillage, cover crops and responsible nutrient management (e.g., right source, right rate, right time and right place). The Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark applies to those soybean acres grown under best practices on-farm.
Products carrying the mark contain soy ingredients that:
- Were grown in the United States.
- Are compliant with all U.S. environmental regulations.
- Protect highly erodible soils and wetlands.
- Were grown on family farms with responsible labor practices.
Across the U.S., soybean farmers like Burrier are focused on being good stewards of natural resources and have been utilizing sustainable practices on their farms for years. U.S. soybean production benefits from robust conservation programs to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality. These standards, combined with careful implementation of best practices, are observed by more than 300,000 of the nation’s soybean farmers.
In order to increase the perception of soy as a sustainable ingredient, the soy checkoff is bringing the sustainability of U.S. soy front and center to end-user marketing and sustainability teams. USB and U.S. soybean farmers are building connections with important decision-makers who promote products to consumers and ultimately build soy demand.
“DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences is proud to partner with USB and Soylent in developing the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark, which represents the many ways that U.S. soybean farmers are working to ensure that U.S. soy sets the global benchmark for sustainable plant protein production,” said Tony Andrew, Protein Solutions Business Unit Leader at DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.
Sustainable ingredients won’t just help food companies and industrial partners meet their sustainability goals but their business goals too, as consumer preference for sustainable U.S.-grown products continues to increase. According to USB’s 27th annual Food Industry Insights survey, when a product is associated with the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark, the majority of consumers (nearly 70%) familiar with sustainable farming said they would be more likely to purchase the product — showing a strong correlation between the mark and consumer sales. The mark also assures customers that soy used in ingredients was grown in the U.S. on family farms with responsible labor practices and compliant with all U.S. environmental regulations.
“It’s an honor to be one of the first companies to receive the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark,” said Demir Vangelov, CEO of Soylent. “For years, we have created market-leading products rooted in science and sustainability, so it was important to us to be a part of this pilot.”
After the pilot program, USB anticipates making the mark available to other interested companies. Requests to use the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark will be accepted through a USB-managed portal. To participate, the customer will provide an overview of their supply chain, which will be reviewed by a third-party auditor. The percentage of soy used by end product will be measured and applied against supply standards on a mass balance basis.
To learn more about the Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy mark, please visit www.sustainableussoymark.com.
About United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board’s 78 volunteer farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org. For more information on U.S. Soy, visit USSOY.org.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.
About DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences applies expert science to advance market-driven, healthy and sustainable solutions for the food, beverage, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. We also use cutting-edge biotechnology across a range of markets to advance bio-based solutions to meet the needs of a growing population, while protecting our environment for future generations. We are innovative solvers who help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. For more information: www.
About Soylent
Soylent, founded in 2013, is a pioneer in food technology and produces delicious, functionally complete foods that are good for the body and the planet. The company was quick to become a disruptor and a driver in the food and beverage world. Soylent is on a mission to provide complete, sustainable nutrition that is accessible, appealing and affordable. Its line of plant-based products are formulated to provide a complete array of protein, vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates that the body needs to thrive in convenient formats. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For additional information, please visit www.Soylent.com.
–United Soybean Board
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