Read a transcript of this episode. Introducing Sustainability In Your Ear transcripts.

The global food system stands at a crossroads. Climate change is reshaping where crops can grow, trade disputes threaten supply chains, and smallholder farmers who produce much of our food often have the least power in the system. Meet Heather Terry, founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods, and discover how the company is transforming the traditional smallhold farm model by putting people and regenerative agriculture at the heart of a growing food company. GoodSAM Foods sources 90% of its ingredients directly from smallholder farms in Latin America and Africa, eliminating middlemen and reinvesting profits into farming communities. Terry’s approach is both principled and pragmatic: as climate volatility reduces crop yields globally, the companies that have built genuine relationships with farmers will have access to limited harvests. “When I’m a farmer and I suddenly have leverage, who am I going to sell that product to?” Terry asks. “It’s relationships.”

Terry’s journey to raise $9 million in Series A funding over 18 months illustrates the disconnect between traditional investors and regenerative business models. After facing skepticism from conventional CPG investors, she found success with impact investors who understood that sustainable food systems represent the future of the industry. While GoodSAM maintains USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project verification, Terry takes a critical stance on regenerative certification labels, arguing that current systems impose Global North standards on farmers who have practiced regenerative techniques for generations. Instead, GoodSAM focuses on direct relationships and on-ground verification. Her proactive approach protected both the company and its farming partners from sudden economic shocks at a time when the U.S. food system faces mounting pressures from climate impacts and trade policy changes. “Every time you pick something up off the shelf, you are voting,” Terry said. “You’re sending a signal to a company.”

You can learn more about GoodSAM Foods at goodsamfoods.com.