CMI Orchards Launches Planet Positive Expanding Industry Leadership in Regenerative Agriculture

Wenatchee, Wash. — CMI Orchards is unveiling a bold, multi-faceted approach to advancing regenerative agriculture and transparent environmental leadership across the tree fruit industry. Anchored by its impact-driven platform CMI SOARS – Sustainable Orchards and Regenerative Solutions—and the launch of its consumer-facing brand Planet Positive™, CMI is setting new standards for measurable sustainability to drive real, environmental and commercial value.

CMI SOARS serves as the company’s central platform and portal for measuring, managing, and communicating environmental progress, accessible at www.CMISoars.com.  By tracking greenhouse gases, reporting sustainability results, and growing carbon negative products, CMI connects how fruit is grown to why it matters. The platform empowers retail partners to source regeneratively grown fruit, invest in carbon inset projects, strengthen supply chains, cut emissions, and inspire eco-conscious consumers through authentic, verified data-driven action.

 “At CMI, we’re redefining sustainability leadership,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards. “Through CMI SOARS and Planet Positive™, we’re bringing regenerative products to market with authenticity and accountability—setting a new benchmark for how we link the work we are doing to purchasing drivers for consumers.”

Through SOARS, CMI established measurable goals to increase soil biodiversity and fruit micronutrient density, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and expand carbon sequestration through regenerative practices such as composting, biochar production, and vermicomposting (worm farming). “These efforts build healthier soils that grow more nutritious food and strengthen the future of farming—delivered with complete transparency,” Mast added. “Our goals are ambitious and possibly the most aggressive sustainability goals in the industry. We’re removing the equivalent emissions of more than 75,000 cars from the road each year with our efforts and are strategically working on a plan to greatly increase this number.”

The consumer-facing pillar of this initiative, Planet Positive™, will officially debut at this year’s IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, and online at www.PlanetPositiveFood.com. Designed to bridge CMI’s regenerative achievements with a transparent, trusted way for shoppers to make environmentally responsible choices, delivered in a brand with an emotional message.

Planet Positive™ solves one of the greatest challenges in sustainability education today: consumer confusion and a lack of trust. As retailer and consumer interest in sustainability continues to rise, particularly around the connection between environmental impact, health, and nutrition, many shoppers are left unsure of who or what to believe—and sustainability is still one of the lowest purchasing drivers. The market is saturated with generic “green” claims and labels that blur together, resulting in diluted impact and widespread greenwashing.

“Consumers are asking for transparency and proof, especially before putting their money where their mouth is, and CMI is answering that call. Planet Positive™ is our promise to consumers that the fruit they’re buying does more good than harm—not just environmentally, but it’s healthier for humans too” said Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing at CMI Orchards. “We’re rebuilding trust in the food system by proving that regenerative practices don’t just sustain life, they enrich it. Planet Positive™ reinforces the undeniable link between healthy people, healthy soils, and a healthy planet.”

Unlike traditional sustainability labels that get lost in the shuffle, Planet Positive™ was intentionally designed to stand out in a sea of monotonous labeling on the retail shelf.

“We recognize that sustainability certifications cover a sliding scale of practices – many, like our projects, are far more impactful than others,” Bohm added. “At CMI, we’re never content to follow the herd, and we’re excited to launch our own seal to symbolize that our products are carbon negative, generate third-party verified carbon credits, and use regenerative agricultural practices that measurably improve soil health.” Bohm shared that Planet Positive™ embodies the regenerative principles behind CMI’s operations, representing fruit that gives more to the planet than it takes through measurable carbon reduction, soil restoration, and nutrient-dense growing practices.

Key pillars of the Planet Positive™ initiative include:

• Carbon Negative Impact: Products that remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit.
• Nutrient-Rich Produce: Regenerative soils growing stronger, more nutrient-dense fruit.
• Closed-Loop Systems: Orchard and crop byproducts transformed into soil amendments to reduce waste and boost biodiversity.
• Soil Regeneration: Composting, biochar, and cover cropping to enhance fertility and resilience.
• Transparency & Trust: A Planet Positive seal that assures measurable environmental benefits and authenticity.

“At its core, Planet Positive™ is about empowerment, helping consumers easily identify products that actively restore, regenerate, and help the planet thrive. Through clear communication and authentic storytelling, CMI is transforming how sustainability is understood and experienced at retail,” said Bohm. “Our goal is to build long-term loyalty by positioning Planet Positive™ as a forward-thinking, climate-smart brand consumers can feel good about purchasing. Looking ahead, we plan to expand the line of Planet Positive™ products, continuing to innovate and lead the industry in measurable, regenerative innovation.”

Visit CMI Orchards Booth #839 at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show to learn how CMI Orchards is helping retailers bring regenerative agriculture to life at retail.