Episode 543: Jim Richards of Milkadamia

This week Jasmin interviews Jim Richards, CEO of Milkadamia, about the origins of the company, why Milkadamia is so committed to making products without palm oil which is ravaging the planet, and why he is a big proponent of Regenerative Agriculture.

Jim Richards is the Chicago-based CEO of Jindilli Beverages and milkadamia, the brand that melds an artisanal business aesthetic and nutritional desire with eco imperatives. The company produces a full line of macadamia nut-based milks, creamers and butters. Among his stops throughout his varied career, Jim has been an old style butcher, run a large New Zealand health food company, milked goats, owned an amphibious tour bus, created and manufactured breakfast cereal, introduced soy milk into New Zealand, and built and run a peanut butter factory in Papua New Guinea.

In addition to his impressive business credentials, Jim is passionate about causes related to the current eco-crisis. He is one of the foremost proponents in the food sector of the farming process known as Regenerative Agriculture. Jim has published several Op-Eds about the impact that issues like the loss of carbon in our soils and the devastation of rainforests for palm oil production are having on the health of our planet. Jim also is a vocal opponent of the dairy industry, touting the company’s tagline “Moo Is Moot” in explaining why dairy milk is immaterial to our lives.

In the intro to the show, Jasmin and Mariann discuss the Black Lives Matter protests currently happening all over the country, how animal activism and veganism are connected to all social justice movements and activism, and Jasmin’s exciting new project with Encompass. We also continue our Supporting Vegan Businesses program by shouting out Simply Mix, vegan drag queen Honey LaBronx, and Trio Plant Based. Later in the episode, Mariann brings us Rising Anxieties!

This episode is brought to you in part by the Barnard Medical Center. To set up a telehealth appointment today call 202-527-7500 or create an account on pcrm.org.

As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.



This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

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Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.

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