Meat Metrics: EPIC’s New Seal Promotes Regenerative Agriculture

Between packed feedlots, rampant pesticide use, and soil erosion, there’s a lot to be concerned about when it comes to the future of farming—and feeding ourselves and the generations to follow. One promising way forward is regenerative agriculture, an approach that protects and intentionally enhances natural resources and farming communities. It’s a holistic method of caring for the land and animals (which includes raising them on pasture) that helps combat climate change, water runoff, and soil degradation, and comes with other environmental benefits.

EPIC has been championing these practices since its launch in 2013, and recently, the company introduced a product with a first-of-its-kind seal, giving consumers even more power to see how their dollars can make a positive (and measurable) difference.

From Land to Market

The Land to Market Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV for short) is a unique seal that was first found on one of EPIC’s products—soon to be followed by those from an elite group of other brands—and is the world’s first verified regenerative sourcing solution for meat, dairy, wool, and leather. “The seal empowers consumers to vote with their purchasing power and indicates suppliers for that product are driving positive trends in land health,” says EPIC co-founder Taylor Collins.

“The seal empowers consumers to vote with their purchasing power and indicates suppliers for that product are driving positive trends in land health.”

The designation was created in partnership with the Savory Institute, a global nonprofit that’s on a mission to help regenerate the world’s grasslands through holistic practices. The Savory Institute’s assessment tools track a host of outcomes for food companies like biodiversity, ecosystem function, soil health, and more. With this knowledge more accessible, plus a packaging seal to look for, its easier for consumers to know that their purchasing dollars are supporting farmers and ranches that are helping transform the land for the better.

According to Collins, the Land to Market EOV protocol has been a huge step in educating consumers with the data and storytelling that highlights the important work EPIC’s suppliers are doing. “However, some people are still unaware of how powerful the sourcing and impact of their food choices really are, and we’re determined to change that,” he says.

Setting a New Standard for Land Health

It’s all about the data. The EOV seal is the first outcomes-based regenerative agriculture seal. Everything from soil organic matter (including carbon), wildlife populations, and plant biodiversity are tracked and recorded through a global network of regional hubs that rally around regenerative farmers. These hubs collect aggregated data, which is then passed along to consumers through programs like the EOV and other educational initiatives.

Since regenerative agriculture’s aim is to build healthy soil, increase biodiversity, and empower farming communities, it’s a promising solution to help reduce greenhouse gases by pulling carbon from the air and storing it in the soil. “Regenerative agriculture takes more than farmers who are committed to supporting the environment with better practices—it takes people who decide that they want to support a better food system,” Collins says. “Your choices matter, and you have the option to vote with your purchasing dollars to support the future of the planet.”

It Starts With One

EPIC’s Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Beef Bites were the first product in the world to carry the EOV seal for regenerative sourcing. The snack—seasoned grass-fed beef with red pepper flakes, garlic, cumin, oregano, and paprika—has a bold kick and healthy protein to fuel your adventures. “We feel honored to have the first product with the EOV seal, and grateful for our suppliers who have worked tirelessly to implement holistic management practices that are healing the land,” Collins says. With a focus on transparency, EPIC is eagerly planning to make more products available that have data backing up their positive outcomes for the planet. “This is just the beginning—keep an eye out for more EPIC products with the EOV seal!”