Vital Farms
The Challenge
Vital Farms, a certified B Corp since 2015, faced a unique challenge in their 2021 recertification. Having recently gone public, they needed to navigate the complexities of B Corp certification as a publicly traded company. A new sustainability lead also required support to ensure a timely and successful recertification. Furthermore, B Lab had recently updated its standards for Impact Business Models, requiring Vital Farms to demonstrate the continued relevance of their model, specifically their impact on small farms.
The Work
We partnered with Vital Farms' sustainability manager to update the B Impact Assessment process. This involved:
Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating collaboration across Vital Farms to gather necessary data and documentation.
Documentation Management: Organizing and compiling all supporting materials to simplify the verification process, addressing the increased scrutiny associated with public companies.
Impact Business Model Advocacy: Conducting in-depth research and analysis on the impact of small farms in the US, demonstrating to B Lab the significant positive influence of Vital Farms' practices. This included crafting a compelling narrative showcasing Vital Farms’ contribution to the small farmer ecosystem and the industry as a whole.
Strategic Planning: Developing a roadmap for Vital Farms to continuously improve their sustainability practices and prepare for future recertifications.
The Impact
Vital Farms successfully recertified in late 2021. Prior to the recertification, B Lab changed their standards for an Impact Business Model that Vital Farms qualified for in the prior two assessments. We researched and wrote an extensive analysis of small farms in the United States, demonstrating to B Lab that Vital Farms’ practices do have an outsize impact and do qualify for the IBM. B Lab acknowledged the applicability of the IBM, in part due to our ability to demonstrate the importance of their work, impact on small farmers, and the influence their approach has on the industry. We left Vital Farms with a strategy to continue improving their practices and position them for their next recertification.
