Welcome to the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards, a celebration of innovation and transformation in the realms of food and agriculture. The way we eat profoundly impacts our environment, health, and societies, this award recognize the pioneers who are revolutionizing our eating habits and redefining how we source and cultivate our sustenance.
As we venture into the stories of these trailblazers, we delve into a realm where sustainable farming practices, innovative sourcing methods, and conscious consumption intertwine. The impact of these initiatives ripples beyond culinary experiences, touching on everything from climate change and biodiversity to local economies and cultural preservation. Through their work, these pioneers remind us that our choices matter, and that by adopting regenerative practices, we can create a more harmonious and interconnected world.
The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards stand as a tribute to those individuals and projects that go beyond conventional boundaries, reshaping the future of nourishment. Our global search aims to unearth the remarkable efforts of changemakers who are dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges facing our planet and inspiring positive action. These efforts not only transform the way we engage with our food, but also influence the broader travel landscape and communities around the world.
View the winner & finalists:
Winner
From Plate to Preservation: Wild Food Adventures Redefines Sustainable Travel – Armenia
Wild Food Adventures (WFA) offer unique travel experiences that blend local ingredients, regional history, and stunning natural landscapes in Armenia. These immersive meals, set in picturesque settings, contribute to local conservation efforts while reviving forgotten recipes and showcasing seasonal ingredients. Through partnerships with local experts, WFA curates menus, trains hosts, and fosters storytelling to promote cultural exchange. As part of ONEArmenia’s experiential travel startup, WFA aims to uplift rural communities by providing training in cooking, hospitality, customer service, and environmental protection. By showcasing Armenia’s natural beauty, preserving culinary heritage, and improving tourism standards, WFA aligns with changing international tourism trends towards authentic local experiences while fostering equitable tourism development and sustainability.
In the evolving landscape of international tourism, Wild Food Adventures (WFA) stands as a distinctive initiative in Armenia. These immersive travel experiences celebrate local ingredients and history amidst the country’s natural beauty, aligning with changing trends favoring authentic and rural cultural interactions. Through partnerships with local experts, WFA not only showcases Armenian cuisine but also empowers rural communities by providing training and skills in various aspects of tourism. By promoting conservation, culinary heritage, equitable tourism development, and sustainability, WFA contributes to Armenia’s tourism sector’s growth while nurturing the well-being of local communities and their environment.
Finalists
From Plate to Preservation: Le Crocodile’s Oyster Initiative for a Greener Future with Billion Oyster Project – USA
Le Crocodile, located within Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, New York, stands out not only for its exquisite cuisine but also for its profound impact on the community and environment through a remarkable partnership with the Billion Oyster Project. The restaurant’s dedication to sustainability is evident in their collaboration with this initiative, which began in 2019, driven by a genuine love for oysters and a shared commitment to environmental preservation.
At the core of Le Crocodile’s involvement is their innovative shell collection program, where they gather discarded shells from the oysters, clams, and scallops they serve, redirecting them from landfills to aid in oyster reef restoration in New York’s harbors. This partnership not only demonstrates their passion for oysters but also aligns with the Billion Oyster Project’s mission to restore oyster habitats. In addition to this partnership, Le Crocodile takes a holistic approach to sustainability, focusing on seasonality and sourcing ingredients from local farms. Their commitment extends to minimizing food waste by thoughtfully incorporating food scraps into recipes and making a substantial portion of their menu compostable, further solidifying their dedication to both culinary excellence and environmental responsibility.
Sagra’s Vision: Revitalizing Food Systems Through Farm-Based Hospitality – USA
Sagra is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable food system through immersive hospitality experiences that cultivate profound connections with food, the land, and fellow individuals. The foundation of Sagra is rooted in championing sustainable agriculture and supporting the farms that practice it. At its core, Sagra recognizes that farms embody more than just food production. The initiative was sparked by a desire to rekindle relationships with food sources and with each other. Witnessing farmers engaging in practices that prioritize land and community well-being, Sagra identified an opportunity to bridge the gap between consumers and the food system. By inviting people to experience farm life firsthand, Sagra builds bridges between eaters and producers, promoting mutual understanding and appreciation. What started with one farm and overnight stays has evolved into a mission-driven movement, poised to extend the transformative power of farm connections.
Sagra’s commitment to building a sustainable food system hinges on collective support. Every Sagra stay contributes to funding sustainable farming practices, community nourishment, and the fight against climate change. Embracing values of learning, community-building, embracing imperfection, and celebrating abundance, Sagra is an inclusive community of farmers, artisans, growers, chefs, and advocates for sustainable food. The initiative’s multifaceted approach intertwines education, connectivity, and shared celebration to foster a positive impact on the environment, food culture, and society as a whole.
Vegan Travel Asia: Beyond Vegan Cuisine, Embracing Ethical Travel – Nepal, India, Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia
Formerly known as VegVoyages Adventure Tours, Vegan Travel Asia was founded by a group of friends with diverse backgrounds to create culturally immersive and responsible travel experiences. Beginning with three trips in India in 2004, they now offer up to 27 vegan cultural adventure tours annually across ten Asian countries. These tours encompass ethical values by engaging in volunteer work, collaborating with local communities, and learning from those working to protect people, animals, and the environment.
Vegan Travel Asia emphasizes sustainability by using land transportation, offsetting flight emissions, supporting local conservation initiatives, and promoting eco-friendly accommodations. They also prioritize small group tours for reduced emissions and offer vegan versions of traditional dishes. As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, they organize Climate Conscious trips and engage in ongoing projects to reduce carbon emissions. Through rewilding in Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, community food forests, and clean cookstove training, Vegan Travel Asia is committed to meaningful and responsible travel practices.
Empowering Health through Organic Soil: Pocono Organics’ Journey to Wellness – USA
Founded on Ashley Walsh’s transformative health journey, Pocono Organics resonates globally as a testament to the power of food as medicine. Ashley’s personal experience with gastroparesis ignited a paradigm shift, demonstrating the profound effects of organic food and lifestyle choices. Driven by the vision of providing reliable sources of organic sustenance, Pocono Organics’ inception in 2018 marked the start of a groundbreaking collaboration with the renowned Rodale Institute, a pioneer in regenerative organic science. Since then, this vision has expanded across 380 acres, making it one of North America’s largest Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) vegetable farms, also pioneering the cultivation of ROC hemp.
Amid the global pandemic, Pocono Organics has risen as a dependable source of nutrient-rich produce, while also becoming a Global Center for Research, Education, and Innovation. Aligning with their mantra of “Inspiring People. Healing the Earth,” Pocono Organics takes a holistic approach by focusing on regenerative organic certification and sustainable agricultural practices. They extend education to regional communities and schools through immersive tours and production programs. The farm’s collaboration with Rodale Institute fosters cutting-edge research in soil health, nutrient density, and organic pest/disease solutions. Pocono Organics’ far-reaching collaborations with industry leaders further exemplify their commitment to shaping a sustainable, regenerative world.
