Plant Based Foods Institute

Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on transforming food systems by aligning agriculture, markets, and public policy so more crops are grown for direct human consumption and plant-based foods become everyday staples. It is the sister organization of the Plant Based Foods Association, the trade association representing U.S. plant-based food companies. PBFI works across the value chain to strengthen the conditions that make plant-based foods scalable and durable: connecting growers to food-grade markets, supporting processing and manufacturing capacity, generating market research, and advancing policy that better supports specialty crops and plant-based innovation. Its work is aimed at farmers, food manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators, institutional buyers, policymakers, and allied organizations. The organization positions plant-based foods not as niche alternatives, but as a practical foundation for healthier diets, stronger farm economies, and more resilient food systems. Core Values Nutrition and health : PBFI emphasizes plant-based foods as nutrient-dense options that can help support healthier diets, including foods that are naturally high in protein and fiber and lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. Farmer prosperity : The organization stresses that farmers need reliable, higher-value markets and supportive infrastructure to profit from growing crops for direct human consumption. Sustainability and resilience : PBFI frames plant-based foods as a way to reduce pressure on land, water, and ecosystems while building more resilient regional and global food systems. Collaboration and coordination : Its work is built around aligning growers, manufacturers, buyers, researchers, and policymakers so that market, policy, and infrastructure changes reinforce one another. Affordability and access : PBFI aims to make nutritious plant-based foods more affordable and more widely available across everyday food environments. Unique Aspects Sister organization to PBFA : PBFI is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit sister organization of the Plant Based Foods Association, giving it direct connection to the U.S. plant-based industry and real-time market insight. Value-chain builder role : Rather than focusing only on consumer demand, PBFI works upstream on the structural barriers that determine what gets grown, processed, purchased, and eaten. Global Alliance leadership : PBFI serves as the organizing body for the Plant Based Foods Global Alliance, coordinating associations representing the plant-based sector across 20+ countries. Domestic sourcing pilots : Its Sustainable Sourcing Initiative and related pilots have connected brands such as Oatly, Upton’s Naturals, Lupii, and Country Crock with domestic growers and processors to test regional supply chains. Policy and market bridge : PBFI combines policy advocacy with marketplace research and buyer engagement, linking public-sector support with commercial demand to help plant-based supply chains scale.