One of the largest dairy cooperatives in the U.S. is joining a corporate alliance focused on expanding options to turn food waste into fuel.
Foremost Farms, which represents hundreds of farms in seven Midwestern states, said Monday it will take part in Vanguard Renewables’ Farm Powered Strategic Alliance. As part of the coalition, the co-op agrees to recycle organic waste as commercially feasible in addition to exploring opportunities to turn waste into renewable natural gas.
“This partnership allows Foremost Farms to amplify our commitment to sustainability and support our members in their efforts,” Rachel Turgasen, Foremost Farms senior director of member relations and corporate sustainability, said in a statement. “Together we will drive positive change in the dairy industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Vanguard Renewables owns and operates on-farm anaerobic digester facilities, and the company assesses member companies’ locations to see if they’re candidates for digester projects. Since it launched in 2020, the alliance has expanded to include corporate heavyweights in the food sector such as Chobani, soy sauce maker Kikkoman Foods and most recently Danone.
Vanguard is working to significantly ramp up renewable energy production from anaerobic digestion. The company in November struck a deal with AstraZeneca to increase renewable gas production by leveraging the pharmaceutical giant’s manufacturing and technological capabilities.
