Treating Responsibly: Natural Farm is Dedicated to Transparency, Social Responsibility

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Many pet brands are making it a point to reduce their carbon footprint and support environmental initiatives. Pet Age recently spoke with Madelene Hissom, director of marketing for Natural Farm, to learn how transparency and sustainable sourcing have been a driving force for the treat company that launched in 2018.

What are some of the unique qualities of Natural Farm’s recent product launches?

At Natural Farm, our commitment to innovation drives everything we do. We continuously explore new possibilities to bring pet owners chews and bones that not only satisfy their furry friends’ taste buds, but also provide a host of health benefits. Our recent product launches, including the Dental, Oceanic and Natbones lines, embody our philosophy of innovation and wellness.

Our Dental line is designed to promote oral health by gently scrubbing away tartar and plaque. In addition to a fun chewy texture that promotes long chew sessions, these treats have added health benefits. Vitamin C and egg-derived immunoglobulin bolster the immune system, while collagen nourishes dogs’ skin, fur and joints.

Our Oceanic line introduces a new world of flavors and nutritional benefits. Made from ethically sourced fish, such as whole anchovies, these treats provide a delightful crunch while expanding the palates of our canine companions. Packed with collagen and Omega-3s, these treats contribute to enhanced cognitive function and joint mobility.

Natbones are an innovative new product that introduces superfoods like flaxseed, spinach, carrots, chia seeds, quinoa and sweet potato to our canine population. Available in three enticing flavors – beef, chicken and lamb – each variant boasts a unique blend of superfoods carefully selected to support brain, muscle and skin health.

In addition to our new releases, our signature lines like our award-winning Power Bully Sticks and such customer favorites as Stuffed Collagen Sticks bring delight to both dogs and their owners. With their limited ingredients, long-lasting quality and additional health benefits, these popular products epitomize the essence of Natural Farm.

How would you describe a Natural Farm relationship with brick-and-mortar retailers?

Natural Farm values our relationships with brick-and-mortar pet retailers. We genuinely prioritize these relationships by assigning a dedicated sales representative to each client. Moreover, we extend our support by providing them with an array of valuable digital assets to enhance their marketing efforts and equip them with comprehensive product information.

We also offer a VIP retailer program with additional benefits, such as an exclusive Astro frequent buyer program, high-quality promotion, seasonal offers and priority on our store locator. Our goal is to foster a close relationship and to learn about each individual retailer’s unique requirements, needs, challenges and customer base.

Why is it important that Natural Farm owns its own manufacturing facilities?

In the pet treats, chews and bones industry, it’s a widespread practice for companies to outsource manufacturing and packaging. Natural Farms is unique in that we own and operate our own state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, where we handle both production and packaging. This grants us full control over the entire process, from sourcing to transporting, storing, producing, packaging and lab testing.

Our human-grade facilities meet USDA and FDA standards, and we follow rigorous safety and testing protocols. In fact, once our products are complete, they are quarantined for two weeks while we lab test them to confirm that there is no contamination. This ensures that no product ever leaves our premises without undergoing rigorous and comprehensive testing, safeguarding the integrity and quality of our products.

How does Natural Farm strive to reduce its carbon footprint?

At Natural Farm, we believe that healthy pups deserve a healthy planet. We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Our products are packaged in Certified Green Packaging and environmental friendly display boxes. We also partner with One Tree Planted, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to support reforestation projects around the world. By doing this, we’re protecting biodiversity and promoting reforestation.

Why is a commitment to social responsibility so highly regarded by Natural Farm?

Natural Farm is deeply dedicated to social responsibility. We believe that every being, whether it has one leg, two or four, has value and an important purpose. As a for-profit company, we donate part of our profits to support community initiatives. Each year, we partner with non-profit organizations to improve the lives of pets, people and the planet. We focus on organizations that help people or animals in need, and that work tirelessly to actively make a difference in the world.

One of our recent initiatives has been with Spazio Contatto in Brazil to help rehabilitate children with physical, mental or emotional limitations by providing therapy sessions with trained professionals and assistance dogs. We are helping with piping systems to deliver clean water to people in a region of Madagascar with Charity Water organization, where only 36 percent of residents have access to clean water.

We enjoy giving back, and we enjoy helping others. At Natural Farm, this is not only part of our mission and our moral fabric, but also our responsibility. Our pets deserve a happier, safer and cleaner world to live in.