Impact Report
A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
As we reflect on another year at The Honest Kitchen, I feel incredibly proud of the team here who brings their passion, dedication and love of animals (and good food!) to work every single day!
These are uncertain times for many organizations all over the country, but we have remained steadfast in our mission to keep helping pets get on the path to good health through good food as we navigate supply chain challenges and the risks of ingredient cost increases while upholding the strictest possible quality standards across our product lines.
We’ve added several new key team members in recent months to help continue the positive momentum and growth of our brand. We’ve also collectively volunteered with a broader array of organizations than ever before, and some highlights are included on page 18.
We made a move to sourcing American Humane Certified chicken across our dehydrated food line. For us, the term good food really speaks to the concentric circles of influence we have in terms of social and environmental values, extending all the way to the fields where our crops are grown and the ways our meat-producing animals are raised, and partnering with American Humane allows us to formalize this commitment in terms of chicken welfare as we continue our long-range goals of raising the bar across our supply chain.
We were also able to expand our partnership with American Humane in 2024 by becoming the official partner for their Second Chance Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to help offset the critical costs of rescued animals who are homeless or the victims of human cruelty.
Like many companies, we’re experiencing significant uncertainty and devoting considerable resources to risk mitigation and contingency planning at the moment, but we’re proud of the efforts we’re simultaneously continuing to make on the social, environmental and governance front, and we’re committed to further improvements in the year ahead.
Lucy Postins Founder & Chief Integrity Officer
OUR MISSION
To put as many pets as possible on the road to good health through good food.
OUR PROMISE
To create the healthiest products that help pets live a long and happy life.
BECAUSE PET FOOD SHOULD BE FOOD. Human grade.
Why go the extra mile to make our pet foods human grade? Simple—we believe everyone, including our pets, deserves food that’s safe, nutritious and tasty. Our food is made with high quality, human grade ingredients and produced to the same standards of quality and safety as the food you eat. Because the happiest time of day should be the healthiest.
The World’s 1st Ever Human Grade Pet Food
Follows human food safety standards, which include 100+ safety requirements
Uses non-GMO ingredients verified as human-edible
Only uses highest-quality, thoughtfully sourced protein, like wild caught fish and cage free turkey
Minimally processed using production methods like cold pressing, roasting and gentle dehydration
1,000+ Feed Grade Pet Food Brands
Follows livestock feed safety standards, which include a minimum of 15 safety requirements
Can use ingredients rejected for human consumption, including feed grade byproducts and fillers
Able to use protein not safe for human consumption, including ‘4D’ meats (dying, dead, diseased or downed)
Highly processed using production methods that may include extrusion, which uses extreme heat and pressure
What Goes Into Human Grade Standards
When we say we love our pets, we mean it! That’s why we invented an entire category of pet food to feed them with the same quality and safety standards we insist on for our family. Does this mean making our foods is a lot more difficult than it is for most other pet foods? Yes. Is providing pets with safe, healthy and nourishing foods worth it? Absolutely!
INGREDIENTS
• Ingredients meet the standard set forth by AAFCO for human grade status
• Each individual ingredient supplied to The Honest Kitchen is fit for human consumption
QUALITY & REGULATORY POLICIES
• “Standard” compliance is strictly monitored and verified with each vendor, manufacturer, warehouse and carrier MANUFACTURING
NETWORK
• Each ingredient and the resulting product are stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant with regulations for current good manufacturing practices for human edible foods (GMPs) as specified in 21 CFR 117
• The manufacturing facility is licensed to produce human food by the appropriate authority
The Benefits of Human Grade
77% of customers report improved overall wellbeing & energy*
80% of customers report improved digestion*
71% of customers report improved skin & coat health*
100% of the produce we buy is non-GMO
2024 Highlights
93% of Whole Food Clusters’ ingredients are grown in North America
73% of dehydrated recipes’ ingredients are grown in North America
We purchased more than 15,000,000 LBS of non-GMO produce
100%
We used more than 2,500,000 LBS of organic produce of the virgin paperboard we use is from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) compliant sources
69% of our total workforce identifies as female
60% of our workers in management positions or higher identify as female
In 2024 our team collectively volunteered 596 HOURS
$24,000 grant to support American Humane’s Second Chance Grants® Program
Being a Certified B Corporation is crucial for The Honest Kitchen, as it underscores our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. As we celebrate our second year in the program, we recognize that consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and ethical practices in their purchasing decisions. The certification not only strengthens our credibility but also builds trust with customers who share our values. It helps us attract and retain passionate employees who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the pet food industry. Embracing B Corp principles allows us to lead by example and inspire others to prioritize purpose alongside profit.
How We Measure Our Impact
Product
INGREDIENT SOURCING
We purchased more than 15,000,000 LBS of non-GMO produce
We used more than 2,500,000 LBS of organic produce
We’re passionate about the issue of genetic modification, not only because of the negative effects that GMOs have on the environment, soil and surrounding land, but also because increasing numbers of studies are demonstrating that consuming GMOs has adverse effects on animals and people. You can read more about GMO safety at nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts. In 2024, we bought over 2.5 million pounds of organic produce. This includes grains, quinoa, flaxseed, kelp, chia seed and coconut as well as a portion of our dehydrated chicken. Our Certified Organic quinoa is grown by hundreds of independent family microfarmers who use regenerative agriculture practices as part of a cooperative in Bolivia and Peru.
We bought 535,160 LBS of Marine Stewardship Council fish in 2024
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a nonprofit organization that helps safeguard the health of the world’s oceans by recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices. In 2024, 100% of all fish purchased—that’s 535,160 pounds!—was MSC Certified Fish, including wild caught salmon, cod, whitefish and wolffish. The herring in our Smittens® is responsibly sourced fish, governed under the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture.
We bought over 3.7 million pounds of chicken in 2024. 100% of the chicken in our dehydrated diets is cage free, and more than half is American Humane Certified (AHC). AHC, founded over 150 years ago, is an internationally recognized leader in promoting the humane treatment of animals.
In 2024, we bought 2,610,938 LBS of AHC chicken
“American Humane Society is thrilled to certify The Honest Kitchen,” said Haley Grimes, Director of Farm Program Operations at American Humane Society. “Their certification is a testament to their commitment to sourcing humanely raised chicken and elevating animal welfare in the pet food industry. We hope more pet food companies follow the lead of The Honest Kitchen by committing to source American Humane Certified proteins.” To learn more about our partnership with American Humane and how we’re helping pets in need, see page 17.
76% of our packaging is made from renewable materials and is fully recyclable after use
Reducing Food Waste
Product
PACKAGING & PROCESS
Currently, a total of 76% of our packaging is made from renewable materials and is fully recyclable after use.
Our dehydrated food boxes are made from 18% postconsumer paperboard, and our shipping cartons are 40% recycled material.
We’re currently investigating ways to reduce our total packaging usage with innovative materials to lessen the environmental impact of our boxes, bags and pouches. We also strive to minimize our use of plastic throughout our supply chain. Our items are designed to use as little plastic as possible, and we never use plastic void fill in our directto-consumer shipments.
We’ve proudly created a program to help reduce food waste by diverting test batches, tailings and any non-sellable finished goods to local hog farms as a source of nutrition.
100%
of the virgin paperboard we use is from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) compliant sources
People
A TEAM OF PET LOVERS
We’re a team of pet-obsessed foodies who put our heart and soul into our work! At The Honest Kitchen, we’re committed to helping pets live longer, healthier lives while also prioritizing environmental sustainability. We even have a dedicated wall in our office with photos of our beloved animal companions, serving as a daily reminder of the positive impact we’re striving to achieve.
Our Vales
Cultivate Connections
We foster collective growth by cultivating meaningful connections. We lead with compassion while nurturing relationships with teammates, business partners, and communities.
Consciously Disrupt
We boldly challenge the status quo, asking tough questions and reshaping the dialogue on pet wellness. We’re committed to driving positive change by continuously raising the bar, pushing boundaries and striving to improve.
Be Dogged
We embrace accountability, attack problems and chase down our goals with tenacity. We never take shortcuts, but instead find resourceful and innovative ways to get things done.
What is your favorite part about working for The Honest Kitchen?
“I may be biased, but I feel like I work with the best people out there. I work with the best team on the planet. We are a giant family, and we all take care of each other. I know that I can count on anyone from any department to lend a helping hand if needed.”
– Paige Woodring
“I’ve been raving about The Honest Kitchen long before I started working here. The feeling of working for a company that you have a vested interest and belief in is underrated. The people I have worked with since I joined have made it even better!
The Honest Kitchen team is the best!”
–Devon Jensen
“The people and the culture 100%. It’s what drew me to the company in the first place and it’s only gotten better. I am so proud of what we represent and how everything aligns to what I personally believe in.”
–Brian Lee
WORKFORCE & SUPPLIER DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2002, The Honest Kitchen was started by a then-27-year-old female founder who is still an owner, sits on the Board and serves as the company’s Chief Integrity Officer. Today, we are proud to have several women in key leadership positions driving positive change in our organization.
69% of our total workforce identifies as female 60% of our workers in management positions or higher identify as female
As a responsible organization, part of our commitment involves going beyond our own direct impacts and actions to weave accountability and social/environmental responsibility throughout our entire supply chain.
We’ve recently enacted policies to formally commit to choosing suppliers that are owned or led by women or minorities, when all other quality factors for an ingredient are equal.
We’re committed to continually improving and raising the bar on everything we do, whether it’s helping our people to grow as individuals, sourcing ingredients that meet even higher standards and certifications, or reducing our carbon pawprint with more efficient processes and better packaging. Thanks for supporting The Honest Kitchen as we work to meet our social and environmental goals.
Lucy with Parker & Rowan Founder & Chief Integrity Officer
Miki with Charlie Chief Marketing Officer
Heather VP of QA & Regulatory Affairs
Laurette with Frida & Millie VP of Procurement
People GIVING BACK
This year, The Honest Kitchen was proud to be named the official 2024–2025 Partner of American Humane’s Second Chance Grants® Program. As part of this partnership, we awarded a $24,000 grant to support their vital work—helping rescue groups and shelters provide critical medical care and housing for animals who are homeless or victims of cruelty. These grants offer real hope to pets in desperate need, giving them the second chance they deserve.
Our mission has always been rooted in the belief that all pets deserve to thrive— and that starts with compassionate care and high-quality, human grade nutrition. Supporting Second Chance Grants® is an extension of that commitment and part of our continued effort to champion the welfare of all animals, especially the most vulnerable.
We donated over $500,000 to non-profits including Special Olympics Virginia, Topeka Kennel Club, The Rescued Pup, EastLake Elementary PTA, Green Elementary PTO and Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas.
Tom November 2024 Recipient
Reba September 2024 Recipient
Buddy August 2024 Recipient
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Letty Saenz | Helping Hands Restoring Hearts
Helping Hands Restoring Hearts is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide basic living necessities—school materials, clothing and counseling—to women and children in need.
“Our primary goal as an organization is to walk women and children through their journeys towards personal growth and stability. We see this life as a complicated puzzle that we want to help people solve and thrive in. Helping Hands Restoring Hearts is here to change someone’s world one puzzle piece at a time.“
Kaitlyn Wessel | Fostering
“Over the past 15 years we have fostered a total of 85 dogs. It has been such an amazing and rewarding experience to be a part of each and every one of these dogs’ lives! We have seen so many families completed with their canine friends and have even adopted two of our own fosters over the years. Fostering is a lot of work—not every dog you get is perfect, but each one has a unique personality that you fall in love with. Our city shelters are always at max capacity with bully breed type dogs. I have made it my mission to help as many block-headed babies as possible find their forever homes. Aside from fostering, I work with our organization and local animal control to evaluate and place additional dogs with the organization’s foster base. On average, we pull 100 to 125 dogs a year from our local shelters alone and upwards of 500 from out-of-state partners.”
Bonnie Dixon & Rachael Carr | Beach Clean-Up
For Rachael and Bonnie, beach clean-ups are about more than just clearing trash—they’re a way to build community, support the planet’s health, and share joyful moments with coworkers. Each piece of debris collected is a step toward healing the earth—and themselves.
At The Honest Kitchen, we’re driven by an unwavering commitment to not just elevate the quality and integrity of our products, but to nurture our community and planet. Each step we take—be it empowering our team’s growth, meticulously sourcing ingredients that raise standards for ethical and environmental stewardship or pioneering greener, more compassionate practices—reflects this deep resolve. Our journey toward reducing our ecological footprint and championing social responsibility is inspired by a vision of a kinder, more sustainable world. Your support fuels our passion and propels us forward. Thank you for joining us on our journey as we work to create positive change in our industry and beyond.