OUR METHODOLOGY FOR GROWING A BETTER FOOD SYSTEM

MEASURING GOODNESS

The Organic Impact Tracker includes 5 key metrics.

In 2022, we partnered with HowGood and Dr. Stephanie Bledsoe to measure our impact. We’ve made good progress so far, but as we continue to pour Tractor and bring on more pouring partners, we’ll see the impact accelerate even more.

PROGRESS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Setting the Conventional Baseline

HowGood applies its impact modeling system to assess the conventional industry average agricultural impact of each ingredient in Tractor’s products. The conventional industry average measures the impact of ingredients grown without additional certifications or standards, using conventional agricultural practices. This step is implemented for each distinct sustainability metric offered by HowGood to produce a comprehensive baseline picture of both the environmental and social impacts of every ingredient under conventional industry practices.

Analyzing the Tractor Impact Differential

HowGood then models the change in impact generated by Tractor’s organic sourcing standards and specific sourcing geographies, and subtracts those impacts from the conventional industry average. Transformation losses throughout the food value chain, including growing, processing, transportation, and cooking, are taken into account.

Synthetic Pesticides Avoided*

Synthetic pesticides are human-made chemicals that include insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. They are used commonly in conventional agriculture to control pests and increase yields. The overuse of these chemicals has negative environmental consequences, including contamination of groundwater and waterways, to the detriment of human health and aquatic ecosystems.

Carbon Emissions Avoided*

To derive the amount of CO2e released into the atmosphere from each ingredient, HowGood analyzes any global warming causing greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of on-farm activities for each ingredient.

Organic Land Supported*

To determine the number of square feet of land utilized by organically-grown ingredients, HowGood first determines yield numbers using United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) averages. Based on the amount of each ingredient that Tractor sources from organic farms, HowGood determines the total land used to grow each organic crop. Acreage in transition from conventional to organic is calculated at 50%.

Water Saved*

HowGood’s assessment of each ingredient’s water footprint impact considers the green, blue and gray water needs for each crop. Green water represents the portion of rainwater that evaporates or transpires through plants, blue water represents freshwater from lakes, rivers and aquifers, and gray water represents an estimate of the freshwater pollution due to a product or a process. Total water use is driven by variables including a crop’s geographic location, relevant certifications, and growing practices.

Improved Soil Health*

HowGood defines soil health as a combination of intact soil structure over time and total macro and micro biodiversity held within the soil. Macro biodiversity includes invertebrates and plant material; micro biodiversity includes bacteria, fungus, and other single-celled organisms.