Benefit and Beyond: Company-Supported Agriculture

The beautiful canopy of an oregon forest

At Mountain Rose Herbs, our independence allows us to keep corporate social responsibility at the heart of our values. That’s why changing our corporate charter to become an Oregon Benefit Company in 2018 was a natural step for us, formalizing our commitment to making a measurable positive impact on both our employees and our community. Not only did we formalize this change in our legal documents, but under Oregon law we are required to form goals, assess our progress, and report on our activities annually. With accountability at the forefront, we decided to choose B Lab’s rigorous Impact Assessment tool as the third-party standard by which to gauge our impact.I am delighted that in 2023, we earned a score of 113.3 out of 200 points on the B-Lab assessment, a 3.3-point increase from last year’s score and a substantial increase from our baseline year. We now publish our annual Benefit Report in conjunction with our Impact Report, which details how we are creating positive change through ethical business decisions. In our 2023 Benefit Report, we celebrated several milestones that showcase our dedication to creating positive change:

  • Employee Welfare: We're proud to announce that we now offer 100% paid medical premiums for all full-time employees.

  • Environmental Responsibility: We have reduced our carbon footprint substantially with two recent initiatives. First, by implementing an ERP software system, we've eliminated over 800,000 sheets of paper annually.       Second, by transitioning one of our semi-annual journals online, we have saved 12 million sheets of paper.

  • Conservation Initiatives: Through our partnership with United Plant Savers, we distributed over 100,000 free seed packets to our cherished customers and business partners country-wide to regenerate populations of endangered plants—a cause close to our hearts.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are making a commitment to reduce the impact of our supply chain, shift to more organic and regenerative domestic sources, support sustainable wildharvesting practices, and strengthen our relationships with local farmers. The first step in this process was made right here at the Mountain Rose Herbs headquarters in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. While many have heard of Community Support Agriculture, we are taking it one step closer to home with Company Supported Agriculture.

A basket of fresh organic veggies is being held by a Mountain Rose Herbs' employee

Mountain Rose Herbs is now offering our employees a 20% discount on CSA shares with Camas Swale Farm, a small family-run organic vegetable farm north of Eugene, Oregon. This allows employees to connect directly with local farmers and the source of their food, receiving weekly shares of fresh, organic produce, to foster a deeper appreciation for seasonal eating while strengthening our relationships with the local farm community.

Participating in our CSA program isn't just about getting fresh produce—it's about embodying our values of sustainability and wellness. By supporting local organic farmers like Camas Swale Farm, we're reducing food miles, supporting organic farming practices, and fostering healthier lifestyles for both our employees and our community. As the Sustainability Specialist at Mountain Rose Herbs, I'm incredibly proud of the strides we're making towards a more sustainable future. From becoming an Oregon Benefit Company to starting our new CSA program, we're demonstrating that businesses can thrive while making a positive impact on society and the environment. We are moving beyond the benefit, where every choice we make goes further than business as usual —it's about creating a world where sustainability and community wellness are at the forefront.



Looking to Learn More About Mountain Rose Herbs' Sustainability Efforts?

Learn About Our New Sustainability Meter!



You may also be interested in:
The Mountain Rose Herbs Seed Stewardship Project
Organic Sourcing from the Pacific Northwest
The Value of Fair Trade: A Cacao Case Study

 

A western meadowlark (The state bird of Oregon) sits happily in the sunshine

 


Topics: Inside Mountain Rose Herbs, Sustainability

Ashley

Written by Ashley on May 8, 2024

Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.


WELCOME

We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

Benefit and Beyond: Company-Supported Agriculture

The beautiful canopy of an oregon forest

At Mountain Rose Herbs, our independence allows us to keep corporate social responsibility at the heart of our values. That’s why changing our corporate charter to become an Oregon Benefit Company in 2018 was a natural step for us, formalizing our commitment to making a measurable positive impact on both our employees and our community. Not only did we formalize this change in our legal documents, but under Oregon law we are required to form goals, assess our progress, and report on our activities annually. With accountability at the forefront, we decided to choose B Lab’s rigorous Impact Assessment tool as the third-party standard by which to gauge our impact.I am delighted that in 2023, we earned a score of 113.3 out of 200 points on the B-Lab assessment, a 3.3-point increase from last year’s score and a substantial increase from our baseline year. We now publish our annual Benefit Report in conjunction with our Impact Report, which details how we are creating positive change through ethical business decisions. In our 2023 Benefit Report, we celebrated several milestones that showcase our dedication to creating positive change:

  • Employee Welfare: We're proud to announce that we now offer 100% paid medical premiums for all full-time employees.

  • Environmental Responsibility: We have reduced our carbon footprint substantially with two recent initiatives. First, by implementing an ERP software system, we've eliminated over 800,000 sheets of paper annually.       Second, by transitioning one of our semi-annual journals online, we have saved 12 million sheets of paper.

  • Conservation Initiatives: Through our partnership with United Plant Savers, we distributed over 100,000 free seed packets to our cherished customers and business partners country-wide to regenerate populations of endangered plants—a cause close to our hearts.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are making a commitment to reduce the impact of our supply chain, shift to more organic and regenerative domestic sources, support sustainable wildharvesting practices, and strengthen our relationships with local farmers. The first step in this process was made right here at the Mountain Rose Herbs headquarters in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. While many have heard of Community Support Agriculture, we are taking it one step closer to home with Company Supported Agriculture.

A basket of fresh organic veggies is being held by a Mountain Rose Herbs' employee

Mountain Rose Herbs is now offering our employees a 20% discount on CSA shares with Camas Swale Farm, a small family-run organic vegetable farm north of Eugene, Oregon. This allows employees to connect directly with local farmers and the source of their food, receiving weekly shares of fresh, organic produce, to foster a deeper appreciation for seasonal eating while strengthening our relationships with the local farm community.

Participating in our CSA program isn't just about getting fresh produce—it's about embodying our values of sustainability and wellness. By supporting local organic farmers like Camas Swale Farm, we're reducing food miles, supporting organic farming practices, and fostering healthier lifestyles for both our employees and our community. As the Sustainability Specialist at Mountain Rose Herbs, I'm incredibly proud of the strides we're making towards a more sustainable future. From becoming an Oregon Benefit Company to starting our new CSA program, we're demonstrating that businesses can thrive while making a positive impact on society and the environment. We are moving beyond the benefit, where every choice we make goes further than business as usual —it's about creating a world where sustainability and community wellness are at the forefront.



Looking to Learn More About Mountain Rose Herbs' Sustainability Efforts?

Learn About Our New Sustainability Meter!



You may also be interested in:
The Mountain Rose Herbs Seed Stewardship Project
Organic Sourcing from the Pacific Northwest
The Value of Fair Trade: A Cacao Case Study

 

A western meadowlark (The state bird of Oregon) sits happily in the sunshine

 


Topics: Inside Mountain Rose Herbs, Sustainability

Ashley

Written by Ashley on May 8, 2024

Ashley Bonn is the Sustainability Communications Specialist for Mountain Rose Herbs. She is deeply passionate about social and ecological justice and has several years of experience in community building. Her sustainability journey began after completing an International Business program and studying abroad in South America, where she became inspired to learn more about equitable practices for regenerative living. In 2016, Ashley moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Leadership and worked for several nonprofit organizations. After living in Portland for seven years, she left the busy city and moved to Eugene to deepen her connection with the land. Ashley enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring new places, and seeing live music in her free time.