Assessing needs in the regenerative meat and grain sectors to direct capital flows

David LeZaks, Susan Paykin, Jaime Silverstein

Contributors: Joshua Humphreys, Christi Electris

August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the food system to its core. During the height of the economic shutdown and outbreaks of coronavirus hotspots, conventional supply chains have faltered, both in maintaining supplies of products to customers and pivoting to address new market norms in a time of physical distancing. Yet, the bright spots during this trying period have been the resiliency of our local, regional and regenerative food systems.

To better understand and capture capital needs of current operators in the agricultural value chain during the pandemic, Croatan Institute, with support from Thread Fund, conducted original research focused on the regenerative livestock and grain sectors. We developed and distributed a comprehensive survey, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from more than 80 value chain actors in North America about their current operational and financial challenges.

The latest Croatan Institute White Paper, Regenerative Agriculture and COVID-19 Capital Needs, presents an analysis of the survey results, combined with findings from in-depth interviews with individuals representing farming to processing to distributions interests. It highlights the greatest needs in the regenerative meat and grain sectors to direct the capital flows required to support the growth of these emerging sectors.

*Feature image courtesy of Pipeline Foods