March 7, 2024

Lotus Foods Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) Gold Among Top 3 Finalists for Best New Organic Food/Beverage Category at Expo West

Lotus Foods, the forefront heirloom and organic rice company, announces it is one of three finalists in the prestigious Organic Excellence Awards for the Best New Organic Product Category at An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Year's Best in Organic at Expo West. The event is hosted by two key organizations in the organic industry: Organic Voices and The Organic Center. This recognition celebrates the company's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the highest standards in organic agriculture.

The event will include a first of its kind awards show to celebrate achievements in the organic industry hosted by Jennifer Garner and Gary Hirshberg. This inaugural awards show is not only a way to highlight and applaud people and brands throughout the organic industry, but also benefit Organic Voices and The Organic Center, two invaluable organizations working to uplift organic messaging, research, and awareness to consumers.

In September 2023, Lotus Foods achieved a significant milestone with its Organic White and Brown Basmati Rice, becoming the first and only recipient of the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) Gold designation in the rice category. This achievement underscores Lotus Foods' dedication to promoting organic production practices that not only support a healthy planet but also foster a fair and equitable society.

Basmati rice, renowned for its aroma, fluffy texture, and superior taste, holds a cherished place in culinary traditions worldwide. However, the proliferation of commercial hybrids bred for yield rather than taste threatens the biodiversity of traditional basmati varieties, such as Dehraduni, the variety Lotus Foods sources. Dehraduni basmati is considered to be the “mother-of-all” basmati, the variety from which all basmati has evolved. Recognizing this threat, Lotus Foods embarked on a mission to preserve this unique rice biodiversity by sourcing certified organic and Fair Trade Dehraduni basmati rice and incentivizing farmers to continue its cultivation. A key component of this mission is the implementation of regenerative farming practices, including the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), branded as More Crop Per Drop®. Through SRI, farmers increase yields, build soil carbon, and reduce water usage and methane emissions, all while empowering women and improving overall resilience in agricultural communities.

The journey to ROC® Gold was a collaborative effort between Lotus Foods and its Indian supplier, Pratithi Organic Foods. Together, they have demonstrated leadership in regenerative rice farming practices, showcasing how agriculture can mitigate climate change, enhance farmers' livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage.

"We are immensely proud of our partnership with Pratithi Organic Foods and the achievements of our farmers," said Caryl Levine, co-founder of Lotus Foods. "Their dedication to implementing regenerative practices reaffirms our commitment to preserving rice biodiversity and supporting the communities that cultivate it."

Ken Lee, co-founder of Lotus Foods, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Our collaboration with Pratithi Organic Foods exemplifies how regenerative agriculture can create positive outcomes for farmers, consumers, and the environment. We are honored to be recognized as a finalist in the Organic Excellence Awards and look forward to continuing our efforts to promote regenerative organic practices."

Mr. Tapan Ray, founder and CEO of Pratithi Organic Foods, emphasized the collective effort required to achieve ROC® Gold status. "This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and the unwavering support of Lotus Foods," he said. "As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to excellence in regenerative agriculture and to meeting the expectations of our stakeholders."

Lotus Foods and Pratithi Organic Foods are proud to lead the way in regenerative rice production and are grateful for the opportunity to showcase their efforts in the Organic Excellence Awards.

The products will be available for viewing at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA on March 13, 2024 at the Lotus Foods’ booth #1534 in Hall B. The award will be handed out March 13, 2024 at An Organic Night Out hosted by Organic Voices and The Organic Center. 

About An Organic Night Out

An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Year's Best in Organic at Expo West hosted by two key organizations within the Organic industry: Organic Voices and The Organic Center. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with celebration and knowledge sharing to support a greener and healthier future of our planet!

The event will include a first of its kind awards show to highlight the organic industry hosted by Jennifer Garner and Gary Hirshberg. This inaugural awards show is not only a way to highlight and applaud people and brands throughout the organic industry, but also benefit Organic Voices and The Organic Center, two invaluable organizations working to uplift organic messaging, research, and awareness to consumers.