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Embedded in the core of our mission statement is our drive to nurture our children, each other, and our planet. We take this to heart and are always looking for ways to improve our impact—big or small!
As part of this commitment, all our products are made with renewable energy through the use of renewable energy certificates (RECs) which help support clean energy projects in the US and Canada. By buying RECs equivalent to the energy used in our manufacturing, we not only account for our own footprint but also help strengthen renewable energy markets by creating demand for clean energy. We are committed to scaling up these purchases as we continue to grow. We’re proud to partner with the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to source 100% Green-e certified RECs—the gold standard in third-party certified RECs.
What Is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?
Renewable energy certificates (RECs) are a market-based tool for tracking and verifying renewable energy generation and use. Because of how the power grid works, it can be challenging to know exactly where our energy comes from—that's where RECs come in! 1 REC represents 1 megawatt-hour of energy generated from a renewable source and delivered to the grid. Because RECs are uniquely identifiable and the exchange of RECs is tracked and recorded, verified RECs offer a credible way to account for the use of renewable energy. (EPA)
Community-Focused RECs
By joining Native Energy’s Renewables Portfolio in 2021, we ensured that our multi-year commitment to cleaner energy would support a high-quality renewable energy portfolio that would include new community-scale projects across the US. This portfolio encourages the development of projects that partner with rural electric co-ops or other groups that provide opportunities for vocational training and green job creation; that offer place-based clean energy curriculum for local students; or that promote other co-benefits like the pollinator habitat development.
Stacking Our Efforts
Some of the RECs we purchase from BEF are called “Stacked RECs” meaning a portion of revenue supports one of their mission-based programs. In this way, Once Upon a Farm’s REC purchases contribute to BEF’s Tribal Renewable Energy Fund (TREF), which supports projects that bring much needed energy independence, resiliency, and reduced energy costs to Tribal nations. A recent example of the TREF’s impact in action comes from the Yakama Nation Reservation in Washington. This is a good example of how these funds can catalyze large, meaningful projects when a Tribe doesn’t have the internal resources to match other grant funds.
Solar panels installed on Yakama Nation Housing Authority homes through the Tribal Renewable Energy Fund
In 2024, the Yakama Nation Housing Authority received funding for a solar project that would bring renewable energy and cost savings to 46 residences—but the funding required a 10% match. BEF was able to provide a significant portion of that match through the TREF, which helped secure renewable energy and annual cost savings directly benefiting tribal member residents.
Making Meaningful Impact
The Yakama Nation Housing Authority solar project is just one recent example of the initiatives supported by the Tribal Renewable Energy Fund. We are proud that the renewable energy we purchase through RECs helps make community-centered projects like this possible!
