Essential Ingredients Podcast 058: What Does ‘Regenerative’ Really Mean? Your Food Label Decoder with Anthony Corsaro
“It's all about labels, it's all about claims, and it's all about certifications. Regenerative is a mess. It's a hot mess. ... I can understand, articulate, and define it really easily, but the average consumer, I don't think, can for a myriad of reasons.... The entire reason regenerative agriculture was created is the beauty of it being a transition tool to improve conventional agriculture. The challenge is it's super easy to greenwash if it's not legit, and it's really easy to lower the bar as low as possible.” —Anthony Corsaro
Ever picked up a carton of “regenerative” eggs or a bag of “regenerative” chips and thought, “Is this actually better—or just clever marketing?” With so many labels, certifications, and claims crowding the shelves, it’s no wonder shoppers feel lost, second-guessing every choice and wondering if they’re being duped by hype.
After overcoming personal health struggles and witnessing the gaps in our food system firsthand, ReGen Brands co-founder Anthony Corsaro shifted his focus from his family’s produce business to championing regenerative agriculture. His journey from industry insider to nonprofit leader gives him a unique lens to cut through the noise and spotlight what truly matters in the regenerative movement.
Tune in for a clear-eyed look into the meaning (and misuse) of the term “regenerative,” the maze of certifications, the evolution of food business models, supply chain realities, personal health impacts of eating and living regenerative, how to spot the difference between real change and empty claims, and practical tips for making smarter choices.
Meet Anthony:
Anthony is the co-founder of ReGen Brands, an ecosystem supporting regenerative agriculture and CPG brands. With a background in family produce distribution and personal experience overcoming an autoimmune disease through nutrition, he transitioned from business operations to advocating for regenerative agriculture. He co-hosts the Regen Brands podcast and leads three key initiatives: the Regen Brands Institute (research), Regen Brands Coalition (brand collaboration), and Regen Brands Capital (funding). Anthony is passionate about improving food systems, supporting regenerative brands, and creating systemic solutions to help these businesses scale and succeed.
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Episode Highlights:
01:12 ReGen BRands: From Podcast to Ecosystem
04:16 The Three Pillars of ReGen Brands and Non Profit Decision
08:30 Family Roots and Industry Heritage
11:25 Defining Regenerative
13:47 Making Regenerative Accesible: Consumer Clarity and Shelf Tags
17:24 Regenerative Diets and Personal Health
21:42 Tips for Aspiring Regenerative Brands