Whole Foods Adds Soil & Climate Initiative

Whole Foods Market has approved the Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) as an official regenerative agriculture certification program, expanding the retailer’s list of recognized third‑party standards that qualify products for regenerative claims.

Under Whole Foods Market’s Regenerative Agriculture Claims Policy, products sourced from farms verified by SCI may be marketed as regenerative and display the Soil & Climate Health Initiative Verified™ label in stores. SCI joins established certifications such as Regenerative Organic Certified, Regenified, Ecological Outcome Verification, and Certified Regenerative by AGW, creating multiple pathways for growers and brands to participate in regenerative markets.

What distinguishes SCI is its combination of farm‑level agronomic support and independent third‑party verification administered through SCS Global Services, enabling growers to implement regenerative practices while documenting outcomes. SCI’s framework translates on‑field soil health improvements into measurable data that brands can use to substantiate regenerative sourcing claims, helping build credibility in a proliferating certification landscape.

Founded in 2018 as the Soil Carbon Initiative and developed through collaboration among farmers, soil scientists, food companies, and NGOs, SCI now supports hundreds of farms managing hundreds of thousands of acres across North America. With Whole Foods Market’s approval, SCI‑verified regenerative products are expected to appear more frequently on retail shelves, offering consumers clearer signals of regenerative commitment and supply chains greater access to premium markets.

Sources: Soil & Climate Initiative, “Soil & Climate Initiative Approved as Regenerative Certification By Whole Foods Market,” January 2026; Oklahoma Farm Report, “SCI Joins Whole Foods Market’s Roster of Trusted Product Certifications,” January 2026.

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