Where Food Comes From, Inc. Announces Launch of RaiseWell® Certified: A New Standard for Natural Livestock Production
MWN-AI** Summary
Where Food Comes From, Inc. (WFCF), a leading provider of third-party verification for food production practices in North America, has announced the launch of its new RaiseWell® Certified standard. This initiative aims to establish a benchmark for natural livestock production, responding to the increasing consumer demand for ethically and responsibly raised meat products. The RaiseWell Certified standard emphasizes rigorous animal welfare practices, prohibiting the use of antibiotics and added growth hormones, and ensures full traceability back to the source of origin, thereby enhancing supply chain transparency.
Leann Saunders, President and COO of WFCF, highlighted that this certification aligns with modern consumer values, allowing brands, retailers, and foodservice operators to distinguish themselves in a competitive market through third-party verified claims. The program provides retailers with assurance of claiming integrity while guiding consumers about the provenance and ethical standards of their food.
Key features of the RaiseWell Certified program include source-verified livestock with a clear traceability framework, on-pack seals that comply with USDA FSIS requirements, and a customizable option to integrate with WFCF’s existing CARE Certified sustainability standard, which encompasses animal care, environmental stewardship, and community welfare.
This initiative expands WFCF’s portfolio of verification solutions, supporting growth in the premium protein market and reflecting a commitment to natural, high-quality food products. Stakeholders such as high-end retailers, foodservice operators, and brands are encouraged to reach out to WFCF for information on program requirements and onboarding.
For more information on this significant development in sustainable livestock production, visit www.wherefoodcomesfrom.com.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Where Food Comes From, Inc. (WFCF) has recently launched its RaiseWell® Certified program, setting a new standard for natural livestock production. This initiative reflects a growing trend where consumers are increasingly prioritizing food that is ethically sourced and produced. For investors, this trend suggests a potential upside in WFCF’s market positioning and growth trajectory.
The launch of RaiseWell Certified positions WFCF to benefit from the surging demand for transparency in food sourcing. As the program emphasizes verified animal care practices and traceable supply chains, it is likely to attract high-end retailers and foodservice operators eager to meet consumer expectations for responsible sourcing. This initiative enhances WFCF's existing portfolio, suggesting a diversification strategy that can lead to increased revenue streams.
Moreover, the comprehensive nature of the RaiseWell Certified program, which integrates with WFCF's CARE Certified standard, presents opportunities for bundling offerings. This can streamline licensing for retailers and producers, potentially increasing overall sales volume and market share. Retailers looking for verified claims will be motivated to partner with WFCF, bolstering its position as a market leader in food production verification.
However, investors should remain cautious. The market's response to new verification standards can be unpredictable, and while the demand for natural and ethically raised products is on the rise, competition is fierce. Factors such as regulatory changes and market dynamics in the agricultural sector may impact the effectiveness of WFCF's initiatives.
In conclusion, WFCF is well-positioned for growth with the launch of RaiseWell Certified, aligning with consumer preferences for ethical and transparent food production. However, potential investors should monitor market developments and competition closely while considering the associated risks before making investment decisions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Where Food Comes From, Inc. (WFCF) (Nasdaq: WFCF), the most trusted resource for independent, third-party verification of food production practices in North America, proudly announces the launch of RaiseWell® Certified, a comprehensive new standard that sets a new benchmark for animal care, verified natural raising practices, and transparent, fully traceable supply chains.
Developed to meet growing consumer and retailer demand for responsibly raised proteins, RaiseWell Certified provides clear, third-party verified claims for brands, high-end retailers and foodservice operators who want to differentiate on integrity, quality, and certified production practices.
The standard requires that animals are responsibly raised at every stage of life, with rigorous animal care requirements, with no antibiotics or added growth hormones ever, and source-verified back to the source of origin, creating traceability throughout the supply chains that retailers and consumers can trust.
“RaiseWell Certified is about meeting today’s consumers where they are – looking for food that aligns with their values,” said Leann Saunders, President & COO of Where Food Comes From.
“Verification programs not only validate compliance; they also spotlight the practices that set producers apart,” said Sawyer Smith, Ranch Manager, Hillwood Land & Cattle. “Staying enrolled, even as markets shift, builds trust, creates repeat buyers, and strengthens an operation’s reputation for long-term success.”
RaiseWell Certified equips retailers and restaurants with:
- Clearly defined, third-party verified animal-raising claims
- Source-verified livestock and poultry with traceability to the farm of origin
- A transparent supply chain story suited to premium markets
- On-pack seals aligned with USDA FSIS requirements
This structure gives retailers confidence in claim integrity while providing consumers with clarity about how their food was raised.
RaiseWell Certified also integrates easily with WFCF’s CARE Certified standard, which is a comprehensive sustainability standard that addresses three key pillars: animal care, environmental stewardship and people and community. This integration gives producers and retailers the option to bundle claims and create a unified, audit-ready package that can include pasture-raised, outdoor access, grass-fed, and other verified livestock-raising attributes.
RaiseWell Certified represents a strategic expansion of WFCF’s portfolio of third-party verification solutions, supporting continued growth in value-added protein markets and demand for natural, ethically raised products.
High-end natural retailers, foodservice operators, brands and supply chains interested in learning more about RaiseWell Certified can contact WFCF for program requirements and onboarding information.
Learn more at www.wherefoodcomesfrom.com.
About Where Food Comes From, Inc.
Where Food Comes From, Inc. is America’s trusted resource for third party verification of food production practices. Through proprietary technology and patented business processes, the Company estimates that it supports more than 17,500 farmers, ranchers, vineyards, wineries, processors, retailers, distributors, trade associations, consumer brands and restaurants with a wide variety of value-added services. Where Food Comes From solutions are used to verify food claims, optimize production practices and enable food supply chains with analytics and data driven insights. In addition, the Company’s Where Food Comes From® retail and restaurant labeling program uses web-based customer education tools to connect consumers to the sources of the food they purchase, increasing meaningful consumer engagement for our clients.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on current expectations, estimates and projections that are subject to risk. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and actual events could differ materially from the Company’s predictions. Important factors that could cause actual events to vary from predictions include those discussed in our SEC filings. Specifically, statements in this news release about industry leadership and expectations that the Company’s services will add value for producers, retailers, and consumers; and demand for, and impact and efficacy of, the Company’s products and services on the marketplace, are forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of factors, including availability of capital, personnel and other resources; competition; governmental regulation of the agricultural industry; the market for beef and other commodities; and other factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect new information or developments. For a more extensive discussion of the Company’s business, please refer to the Company’s SEC filings at www.sec.gov.
Company Contacts:
Jennifer Moore-Stover
Manager, Livestock Marketing & Communications
jmoore@wherefoodcomesfrom.com
303.895.3002
wherefoodcomesfrom.com
Jay Pfeiffer
Investor Relations Manager
jpfeiffer@wherefoodcomesfrom.com
303-880-9000
FAQ**
How does Where Food Comes From Inc. WFCF plan to differentiate the RaiseWell Certified standard from competitors in the market for responsibly raised proteins?
What specific measures will Where Food Comes From Inc. WFCF employ to ensure the traceability of livestock under the RaiseWell Certified program?
How does the introduction of RaiseWell Certified align with Where Food Comes From Inc. WFCF’s broader strategy for growth in the natural and ethically raised product markets?
In what ways will the RaiseWell Certified standard impact the existing relationships of Where Food Comes From Inc. WFCF with farmers, ranchers, and retailers in the supply chain?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Where Food Comes From Inc. (NASDAQ: WFCF).
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