Is the industry ready for Regenerative meat?

Meat, like other protein-packed foods, has seen a resurgence in the past year. From steaks and chicken thighs to eggs and cheese, consumers are adding these items to their cart more than ever. In this week’s episode of The Natural List, host Adrienne Smith talks with two brands making our baskets better with sustainable, organic and Regenerative Organic Certified meat. First we set the scene: New Hope’s Content Marketing Director, Nancy Coulter Parker, provides background on the regenerative and organic markets. From Gen Z to Millennials, these younger consumers are the driving force in the natural and organic space. This primarily comes from a desire to “eat their values” and purchase products that align with their belief systems of transparency and animal welfare. Adrienne then interviews Kristina Walker, CEO and co-founder of StarWalker Organic Farms, whose ROC beef, one of 50 ROC SKUs, won a NEXTY Award in 2026. The duo discusses how important innovation is to the brand in keeping prices accessible while still providing high-integrity products. Then, we talk with Alicia LaPorte, senior director of communications and impact at Niman Ranch. Unlike StarWalker Organic Farms, Niman Ranch is a collective of organic farms across the U.S. Alicia shares about the process of transitioning farmers to Regenerative Organic Certification and emphasizes the benefits those farms have seen since the transition. Through these discussions, one thing is clear: The market is ready for ROC meat, and demand is growing daily. This week’s episode is a continuation of a series of interviews done at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in the CPG Content Creation Studio. For more interviews like this, watch here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 0:14 - Welcome to our guest, Nancy Coulter-Parker. 0:22 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 1:24 – What’s happening with beef in the natural and organic sector? 2:08 – These age groups are driving organic and natural purchasing. 2:22 – Animal welfare and transparency are driving these purchases, so USDA Organic and Regenerative Organic Certification fit into these desires. 3:57 – Brands are not just organic, they’re leaning into the regenerative process and creating superior items. 6:49 – Interview with Kristina Walker, co-founder and CEO of StarWalker Organic Farms. 10:33 – Kristina talks StarWalker Organic Farms’ distribution model and expansion plan. 11:35 – StarWalker Organic Farms’ ground beef was a NEXTY winner in 2026. 14:40 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 15:27 – Welcome, Alicia LaPorte, senior director of communications and impact at Niman Ranch. 16:30 – Niman Ranch is a program that works with over 600 family farmers and ranchers across the country. 17:36 – Alicia tells us about Niman Ranch’s new ROC, an American farmer-grown product. 20:00 – Adrienne asks Alicia about the process of working with farmers to transition to ROC methods and what that experience has been like. 22:19 – Now is the right time for ROC beef to really take off with consumers. 24:30 – Changing shopping basket staples to ROC makes it easier to build a better basket.