Key Takeaways:
- Anheuser-Busch introduces the U.S. Farmed certification in partnership with American Farmland Trust (AFT), signaling strong support for domestic agriculture.
- The certification, ensuring at least 95% of agricultural ingredients are U.S.-sourced, aims to empower consumers to support local farmers.
- Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob ULTRA are among the first brands to feature the new seal starting May.
- The initiative is part of a broader effort to secure the future of American farming amidst challenges like land transition and farmland loss.
Anheuser-Busch’s Commitment to American Farmers
Anheuser-Busch recently announced a national initiative to support U.S. farmers through the introduction of the U.S. Farmed certification and seal, a program developed by the American Farmland Trust. This certification aims to assist consumers in selecting products predominantly made with agricultural ingredients sourced from U.S. farms. Texas, a significant agricultural state where farmers sold $32.2 billion worth of products in 2021, stands to benefit from this program. Anheuser-Busch highlights its contribution to the state’s economy by purchasing over $11 million in rice annually from Texas rice farmers for its leading beer brands.
Brands Leading the Way
The U.S. Farmed seal will debut on Anheuser-Busch’s Busch Light packaging in May, with Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob ULTRA also receiving certification. This move underscores the company’s strategy to prioritize and promote the use of domestically sourced agricultural ingredients.
“American farmers are the backbone of this country,” stated Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. He further emphasized the company’s longstanding relationship with the U.S. agricultural sector, “We source nearly all the ingredients in our iconic American beers from hard-working U.S. farmers – many of whom we have worked with for generations.”
The Significance of U.S. Farmed Certification
The certification arrives at a pivotal moment for American agriculture, with AFT reporting that over 30% of the nation’s agricultural land could change hands in the next 15 years due to the aging farmer population. The initiative aims to support farmers with tools and resources for land preservation and succession planning.
Beth Sauerhaft, PhD, AFT Acting President and CEO, highlighted the impact of the certification: “With the launch of the U.S. Farmed certification, we’re taking a bold step to help secure the future of American agriculture.” She praised Anheuser-Busch for taking the lead in adopting the certification, which aims to create a market niche that supports U.S. farmers.
Neal Stoesser, a rice farmer at Stoesser Family Farms, reflected on the certification’s potential benefits: “The U.S. Farmed seal…is an incredible testament to the importance of buying products that are locally sourced.” He noted the crucial role Texas growers play in the U.S. economy and the anticipated positive impact of the certification on the future of Texan farmlands.
Image provided by Anheuser-Busch
