Top-Selling Brand Marks Third Year of Animal Advocacy Support

VISTA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. Bronner's, the family-owned maker of the top-selling brand of natural soaps in North America, is pleased to mark the third year of its commitment to vegetarian advocacy and animal welfare as a core focus of the company's activism efforts, alongside its ongoing commitment to fair trade, organic integrity, regenerative agriculture, GMO labeling, industrial hemp farming, drug policy reform and other causes. By the end of 2016, Dr. Bronner's will have donated over $500,000 to a variety of leading animal advocacy organizations that are working to reduce the suffering of farm animals and advocating for a transition to healthier and more sustainable food systems.

"As a dedicated vegan, I'm proud that my family is committing resources over the long-term to take on the terrible plight of farm animals and to promote more compassionate and sustainable dietary choices," says David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner's. "One doesn't have to be vegan to want to reduce the incredible suffering of animals in factory farms and to lower overall meat consumption," continues Bronner.

Support for New Organizations
In 2016, Dr. Bronner's has supported the founding of two new organizations that promote market-based alternatives to animal agriculture, The Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association. Founded this year, The Good Food Institute is an innovative organization headed by long time animal advocate Bruce Friedrich, whose mission is to create a healthy, humane, and sustainable food supply. This new nonprofit, entirely supported by gifts and grants, is partnering with scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs to create cleaner and safer food products.

"Dr. Bronner's gave The Good Food Institute the support we needed out of the gate, while we were still proving concept and before we'd even officially launched the organization, and that gave us the momentum and the confidence we needed to accelerate," said Bruce Friedrich, Executive Director of The Good Food Institute (GFI). "One especially great thing about Dr. Bronner's support is that the Dr. Bronner's team act as partners to GFI—they are helping us to think through our strategy as well as the technologies we're supporting and how they can be as ethical as possible, and they're joining us in all aspects of our work on behalf of a food system with integrity. We appreciate their financial support, of course, and we also treasure their moral and strategic partnership," continued Friedrich.

Also launched in 2016, the Plant Based Foods Association is a trade association composed of industry members that works to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace for businesses selling plant-based foods intended to replace animal products. Founding companies include The Tofurky Company, Follow Your Heart, Upton's Naturals, Miyoko's Kitchen, and Daiya Foods. Dr. Bronner's was one of the first sponsors of the organization and is also a member.

"We are proud and grateful to have the support of Dr. Bronner's," said Michele Simon, Executive Director of Plant Based Foods Association. "Not many donors are willing to take a chance on a new organization, but our missions are clearly aligned, which makes for an exciting partnership. Having such a strong industry leader as Dr. Bronner's an early supporter gave us the momentum we needed to reach out to other potential members and sponsors," Simon added.

Support for Leading Organizations and YES on 3 Ballot Measure
Dr. Bronner's continued to support leading organizations, Compassion Over Killing and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in 2016. In addition to financial support of HSUS, David Bronner continues to sit on the Farm Animal Protection Council of that organization for the third year in a row. Dr. Bronner's has also contributed $100,000 in firepower to the YES on 3 Campaign in Massachusetts to end the cruel confinement of veal calves, egg-laying hens and pigs in that state.

"Dr. Bronner's is a powerful ally in helping wage and win the YES on 3 ballot campaign in Massachusetts. If passed, this will be the most important farm animal protection law in the nation, requiring that all the eggs, veal, and pork sold in the state come from cage-free sources," said Paul Shapiro, Vice President of Farm Animal Protection at the Humane Society of the United States. "In these ballot campaigns, being right is never enough; we have to have the resources needed to win. And Dr. Bronner's is a big part of helping make history in Massachusetts with Question 3."

Support for Groundbreaking Documentary Film
The company is also lending support to the production and promotion of the documentary film version of the New York Times best-selling book Eating Animals, which is currently in production. The organization Farm Forward collaborated extensively with author and Farm Forward board member, Jonathan Safran Foer, for three years while he wrote Eating Animals. Just like Foer's book, the documentary will use a combination of humor, adventure, muckraking, and memoir to explore the realities of contemporary animal agriculture alongside the complexities of food ethics. The documentary is being produced by Academy Award winning actress and animal welfare advocate Natalie Portman, and directed by Christopher Quinn, the award-winning director of God Grew Tired of Us.

"We're incredibly grateful for Dr. Bronner's generosity and commitment to an ethical, just and sustainable food system," said Aaron Gross, Founder and CEO of Farm Forward. "I think Eating Animals will be the biggest film critiquing factory farming in my lifetime. With the support of Dr. Bronner's, Farm Forward and other animal advocates are going to be able to leverage the film in tremendous ways," continued Gross.

Support Across the Movement
Dr. Bronner's also made donations to a variety of other highly effective organizations and initiatives that advocate on behalf of animals and work to reduce animal suffering, including The Humane League, Mercy for Animals, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition, PETA, Our Hen House, Gentle Barn, Poplar Spring and Vine Sanctuary in the United States, as well as the international work of Sea Shepherd and Compassion in World Farming. In addition to financial donations, the company has donated its soaps and other products to support vegetarian festivals, educational events, animal sanctuaries and direct action campaigns across the country and around the globe throughout the year. 

Bridging Animal Welfare and Regenerative Agriculture to Fight Climate Change
In 2016 Dr. Bronner's is also supporting a variety of organizations working to promote regenerative organic agriculture to increase soil health and mitigate climate change.

"Looking forward, Dr. Bronner's is particularly keen to help power and coordinate the animal welfare and regenerative organic movements, in their common aim to end the horribly cruel and unsustainable factory farming of animals, fed by monoculture deserts of carbon and water-intensive grain," adds Bronner. "One-third of the Earth's land surface is covered in arable farm and range land. Regenerative practices can restore soil health and organic matter relatively quickly, and coupled with a global commitment to eating much less but much more humane and sustainably raised animal products, can also significantly mitigate climate change."

Dr. Bronner's is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. Dr. Bronner's commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability and progressive business practices is part of the company's mission to put into practice the principles that inform the philosophy printed on the company's iconic soap labels written by founder Emanuel Bronner. The company is the top-selling natural soap maker in North America and a major brand worldwide. Based on 2015 sales, a bottle of Dr. Bronner's soap was sold, on average, every 3 seconds throughout the year. 

For further information on Dr. Bronner's and a full list of the company's vegan-certified products, please visit: http://www.drbronner.com.

SOURCE Dr. Bronner’s

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