AUSTIN--The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance (SBA) announced today they will be partnering with Organic Valley Family of Farms to field test the Baseline Practices for Sustainability (BPS) through their existing biodiesel operations. Organic Valley was an early adopter of biodiesel and has an extensive biodiesel operation in place today consisting of feedstock, production and distribution elements. In order to further the company’s commitment to the health of the environment and community, Organic Valley will apply the practices outlined in the BPS document to their existing systems, and report their findings to the SBA. The data collected through this, the first of many national pilot programs, will be used to develop criteria and indicators for an independent certification system for sustainable biodiesel in 2010.

An independent, farmer-owned cooperative founded in 1988, Organic Valley has grown to more than 1300 farmer-owners and has become one of the nation’s largest providers of organic food with a complete line of dairy, produce, egg, soy and juice products and meat products under their Organic Prairie brand.

“Organic Valley has always been committed to the environment and the community,” says Cecil Wright, VP of Sustainability for Organic Valley. “We believe biodiesel can be part of a community based and distributed energy model that solves many problems our nation and our planet is facing. The SBA has provided guidelines to improve the sustainability of our biodiesel operations, and we are very excited to be the first of their pilots.”

The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was founded in 2006 to promote environmentally and socially sustainable practices for the biodiesel industry. In 2008, the SBA developed the Baseline Practices for Sustainability (BPS). This 25-page document is the product of a yearlong stakeholder workgroup and outlines environmentally and socially sustainable practices for biodiesel feedstock, production, distribution and end users. “As a mission driven organization, the SBA develops tools for sustainability. Having Organic Valley field test the BPS will allow us to fine tune those tools,” said Jeff Plowman, SBA’s Executive Director.

In order to address the many concerns about the sustainability of biodiesel as an alternative fuel, Organic Valley and others are adopting sustainable practices as outlined by the SBA in order to take steps toward environmental and social sustainability today. Along with their partnership with the SBA, pilot companies like Organic Valley also make a commitment to sustainability by establishing one, three and five year improvement goals. According to Wright, “Organic Valley is committed to sustainability and continual improvement; environmentally, socially and otherwise. By partnering with the SBA we’re realizing that commitment to our planet and our communities.”

Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance (SBA), a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2006 to develop standards for sustainability in the biodiesel industry and for public education on how sustainable biodiesel can help the US move towards a sustainable energy future. The founding members of the alliance are Kelly King of Pacific Biodiesel, activist Annie Nelson and actress Daryl Hannah. The SBA facilitates a multi-stakeholder dialogue involving family farmers, environmental groups, biodiesel experts, urban communities and others to create a seal that will certify sustainably produced biodiesel. www.fuelresponsibly.org

Organic Valley Family of Farms: Independent and Farmer-Owned

Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and is one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 1,322 farmers in 34 states and one Canadian province, and achieved $432.5 million in 2007 sales. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. The same farmers who produce for Organic Valley also produce a full range of delicious organic meat under the Organic Prairie Family of Farms label. For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop, www.organicprairie.com and the cooperative’s farmer website, www.farmers.coop.