Why Regenerative Farming Matters — and How Zero Foodprint Is Leading the Way

This week, Forbes spotlighted the innovative work of Zero Foodprint (ZFP) and their mission to scale regenerative agriculture across the country. As someone who has spent the past year thinking deeply about sustainability, the timing couldn’t be better.

After joining a sustainability study mission to Denmark this fall, I returned to Portland with an even stronger belief in the power of soil health, local farmers, and circular food systems. Denmark’s approach to regenerative practices and climate-smart agriculture reminded me of something we experienced firsthand at Sibeiho: real progress starts with the ground beneath our feet.

Our Leap of Faith With Regenerative Farmers

When Sibeiho was just getting started, we made a bold decision:
We partnered with local regenerative farmers to grow the peppers for our sambals — even though we didn’t know whether they would thrive here in Oregon’s climate.

It was a risk.
It was an experiment.
But it turned into one of our most meaningful commitments.

Working with farmers who focus on regenerative practices gave us a front-row seat to what real climate action in food looks like. These are farmers who are actively rebuilding soil health — a slow, patient process that restores ecosystems, improves nutrition, and captures carbon.

Regenerative agriculture isn’t a quick fix. It’s a long game.
And it requires community support, financial resources, and a belief that food can be part of the climate solution.

Agriculture Isn’t the Problem — Industrial Farming Is

Agriculture often gets blamed for its climate impact, and yes, industrial farming does contribute significantly to emissions and environmental damage.

But climate-friendly agriculture absolutely exists — and it’s already transforming food systems.

At Sibeiho, we’ve seen that when you support small farms using regenerative techniques, you invest in:

• Restoring soil health

• Increasing biodiversity

• Creating more resilient local food systems

• Drawing carbon back into the ground

• Producing better-tasting, more nutrient-dense food

Organizations like Zero Foodprint are proving this every single day.

Why Zero Foodprint Deserves Your Support

Zero Foodprint operates on a simple but transformative idea:
Businesses and consumers can directly fund regenerative farming projects that repair soil and reduce carbon emissions.

Their impact so far is remarkable:

• $8.4 million awarded to farmers

• 700+ regenerative agriculture projects funded

• 100,000+ acres in soil restoration

• Recognized by Fast Company as the #1 Most Innovative Company in Agriculture

This is food climate action at scale — and it’s working.

This Giving Tuesday: Turn Your Meal Into Climate Action

This Giving Tuesday, we’re encouraging our community to support Zero Foodprint in their mission to transform agriculture from a climate problem into a climate solution.

When you donate to Zero Foodprint, you help farmers — including Portland’s own Heirloom Seeds — adopt regenerative practices that rebuild soil health and strengthen local food systems.

If you donate $100 or more, you’ll receive a surprise item from ZFP’s Holiday Gift Guide, featuring innovative food makers who share a commitment to sustainability.

You can also support the cause by shopping from the Holiday Gift Guide, which includes products from Sibeiho and our fellow makers like Marshall Haute Sauce and A to Z Wineworks.

And as part of our commitment, Sibeiho will donate $1 to Zero Foodprint for every jar of AF Chili Chunka Sambal sold from now through December 31.

Join Us in Supporting Regenerative Agriculture

If you believe in delicious food, strong local farms, and climate solutions that truly work, this is the moment to take action.

➡️ Donate to Zero Foodprint: zerofoodprint.org/donate
➡️ Explore the Holiday Gift Guide: zerofoodprint.org/gift

Let’s help build a food system that nourishes people, heals the soil, and gives back to the planet.  ✌️