Once Upon a Farm Raises the Bar with New Public Benefit Corporation Advisory Board
Cross-sector leaders to guide the company's mission, governance, and long-term impact as it shapes the future of food and helps create a happier, healthier, more equitable world
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Once Upon a Farm, (NYSE:OFRM) the mission-driven brand known for bringing organic, farm-fresh nutritious snacks and meals to families, today announced the formation of its inaugural Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) Advisory Board, a best-in-class group of cross-disciplinary leaders who will help guide the company as it advances its mission to deliver high-quality, farm-fresh nutrition while creating lasting positive impact.
As a PBC, Once Upon a Farm's mission is written into its legal DNA with a corporate charter that codifies its commitments to stakeholders and shareholders alike. Once Upon a Farm is one of only a handful of publicly traded PBCs, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. While going public typically intensifies pressure to prioritize short-term financial returns, Once Upon a Farm has chosen a path that reinforces its mission-driven approach as it scales, moving profit and purpose in lockstep.
The newly formed advisory board brings together experts spanning food systems, sustainability, public health, policy, brand leadership, and purpose-driven business. Together, they will provide strategic counsel as Once Upon a Farm continues to scale its business while deepening its commitment to stakeholders across its ecosystem- from families and farms to communities and the environment.
"Becoming a Public Benefit Corporation in 2021 fundamentally changed our corporate structure. As a PBC, our directors are tasked to consider impacts on stakeholder groups from our children and families, to farmers, farmworkers and suppliers, our communities, and the planet," said John Foraker Co-Founder and CEO at Once Upon a Farm. "This advisory board brings together experts who understand that complexity and can help us navigate it as we continue shaping the future of food for the next generation."
The Once Upon a Farm PBC Advisory Board includes:
- Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO, Organic Trade Association, Former VP of Impact and Government Relations at Clif Bar
- Roma McCaig, Former Chief Public Affairs & Impact Officer, REI Co-op; Board Member, B Lab
- Deb Eschmeyer, Partner, Original Strategies; Former Executive Director, Let's Move!
- Kumar Chandran, Policy Director, ReFED, Former USDA Senior Advisor: portfolio covering WIC, SNAP & school meals.
- Ryan Pintado-Vertner, Founder & CEO, Smoketown
- Jane Kuhn, Head of Sustainability & Strategic Sourcing, Once Upon a Farm
"At Once Upon a Farm our approach to sustainability is about taking a systems lens to business. When we consider both the upstream and downstream implications, it better positions us for long term resiliency. The PBC model supports this approach. And this advisory group's collective experience will help ensure Once Upon a Farm continues to grow in a way that maintains stakeholder considerations while delivering measurable impact, strengthening the standard for how mission-driven companies can scale," said Jane Kuhn, Head of Strategic Sourcing & Sustainability at Once Upon a Farm.
The PBC Advisory Board will meet quarterly to review Once Upon a Farm's progress against its public benefit commitments, providing strategic guidance on how to balance stakeholder interests while scaling the business. As seasoned industry leaders, the PBC board will help the company consider strategic opportunities that align its positive impact with business outcomes, as well as strengthen its impact across stakeholder groups, from the families it serves to the farming communities it sources from, ensuring Once Upon a Farm remains accountable to its legally codified public benefit mission.
This milestone builds on Once Upon a Farm's broader mission to drive systemic change in children's nutrition while supporting a healthier, more equitable food system.
For more details on Once Upon a Farm visit www.onceuponafarmorganics.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Once Upon a Farm PBC Advisory Board?
- The Once Upon a Farm PBC Advisory Board is a group of external experts who provide strategic advisory to guide the advancement of Once Upon a Farm's PBC commitments in tandem with its business growth.
Q: What is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC)?
- A PBC is a for-profit company that legally codified its commitment to delivering public benefits in addition to its traditional business objectives. A PBC is obligated to consider its impact on stakeholders and shareholders
Q: Why did Once Upon a Farm create this board?
- As the company grows, this board strengthens the resolve that purpose remains deeply integrated into business decisions. It brings outside perspective, accountability, and expertise across sustainability, food systems, policy, and brand leadership.
Q: How does this connect to the Once Upon a Farm's mission?
- The advisory board directly supports the company's commitment to drive systemic improvements in childhood nutrition for a healthier, happier, more equitable world by advising forward looking alignment between growth and social and environmental impact.
About Once Upon a Farm
Once Upon a Farm, PBC (NYSE:OFRM) is redefining the organic kids' food category and shaping the future of food. Guided by its mission to drive systemic improvement in childhood nutrition for a happier, healthier, more equitable world, the Company offers a portfolio of crave-worthy snacks and meals designed for children from babies through big kids. Every Once Upon a Farm product is organic, non-GMO, contains no added sugar and is free from artificial flavors and colors – just simple, real, nutritious food kids ask for and parents trust. For more information visit www.onceuponafarmorganics.com, follow @onceuponafarm on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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