The way we produce and distribute food is damaging to the earth. Our food system produces 25-30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, Julia Collins, the founder and CEO of Planet FWD, is doing something about it. Moonshot Snacks, a product of Planet FWD, is the world's premier climate-friendly snack brand.
The crackers from Moonshot Snacks are USDA Organic, non-GMO, plant-based, Kosher, and carbon-neutral. Importantly, the company uses regenerative farming practices to improve instead of ruin the soil.
Julia Collins wants other brands to follow suit. Her company, Planet FWD, offers a platform where brands can join climate-friendly efforts. On the website, farmers will be able to connect directly with brands that want to be part of the food movement.
According to Collins, the software from Planet Fwd will tell brands their climate-friendly stats and figures. With that information, they will get the tools to improve.
Still, does the climate-friendly food live up to the hype? Here's everything you need to know about Moonshot Snacks.
How Moonshot Snacks Works
The big draw to this climate-friendly food is in the food production. What does it mean to say something is regeneratively grown? It means there is less soil interruption, and the farming practices are dedicated to improving soil health. This process traps carbon in the ground and replenishes topsoil.
In addition to regenerative agriculture, Moonshot connects directly with farmers instead of outsourcing to suppliers. Because of this practice, the team is able to trace all of their ingredients right to the source.
Moonshot has a commitment to remaining carbon-neutral and climate-friendly. The company uses a shot chain supply so that ingredients don't have to travel far, which means the snacks are fresh and flavorful. They keep data on their regenerative practices so that they can continue to improve.
More about Regenerative Agriculture
Not all climate-friendly practices are regenerative. Specifically, regenerative farming is a type of experience where carbon is sequestered in the soil to promote soil health and microbe life. The term climate-friendly is used for things like reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Today, our food system is based on efficiency. Most land is only used for a couple of crops with little variation, which promotes weeds and insects. The ways that farmers address this issue is with chemicals and breaking up the soil. The chemicals kill off good life, which creates a negative cycle.
While the term "regenerative" is new, the practice is not. Indigenous peoples have used these methods for centuries, which are rooted in an understanding of healthy ecosystems and land care.
What You Can Expect
Let's get to the crackers. There are three flavors to choose from: Rosemary Garlic, Tomato Basil, and Sourdough Sea Salt. True to the company's mission, the crackers use regeneratively-grown wheat. The wheat is stone-milled, so the crackers are crispy and go great with spreads or cheese.
The bakery, which is only two hours away from the farmers, is climate-friendly as well. 100% of the energy comes from green sources of power. Additionally, any imperfect crackers go to a local food bank so they are not wasted.
There are no animal-based ingredients in the food, so everything is plant-based and vegan. Additionally, you'll find no added sugar, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
You can purchase a variety pack and get all three flavors or buy only your favorite flavor. The packages come in a three-pack or a six-pack. You cannot buy individual boxes on the website.
Moonshot also has a subscribe and save option. If you never want to run out of crackers, you can opt in to receive a shipment every four weeks. Subscribing is free, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. Subscribing is a great way to save money on your order.
Sample Order
Before you order your box of three or six Moonshot crackers, you can view the ingredients. The climate-friendly snack brand uses:
You can also view the nutrition facts on the site order page if you have nutrition concerns. Keep in mind that these food products are not gluten-free. Each box has a best-by date so you know how long your crackers will remain fresh.
Moonshot also has a mission to reduce climate change with climate-friendly packaging. As of now, the carton and the interior plastic bag are 100% recyclable. In the future, Collins wants her team to make the interior bag compostable.
Many people enjoy their snack with things like hummus, almond butter, avocado, or jam. You can also munch on the crackers by themselves and experience their full, rich flavor.
Delivery
Moonshot ships all over the United States except for military bases and P.O. boxes. According to the Moonshot site, orders process within 1-2 days and ship between 2-6 days. You'll get a tracking number with your order to ensure a seamless experience.
The shipping process is carbon-neutral, meaning the company makes it a mission to offset its carbon emissions. Using Shopify's Offset Program, the company invests in a conservation project in the Amazon Rainforest equivalent to the emissions of each order.
For that reason, you cannot order a single box alone. Individual orders have a high carbon impact, which affects climate change. The company is working on a way to make individual orders possible due to consumer demand.
You can cancel or edit your order only before it ships. Because of the Moon Shot mission to reduce climate change, you cannot return an item. However, the company does issue refunds or replacements when a customer has an issue.
FAQS
The mission of Moon shot is to reduce the climate crisis using regenerative agriculture and sustainable food production. According to the creator Julia Collins, the name conveys the idea that they are shooting for the moon and aiming high to achieve their goals.
The parent company for Moonshot is Planet FWD. Moonshot is a BIPOC and woman-owned business. They use regenerative agriculture to reduce carbon emissions and allow consumers to make eco-friendly choices.
Pros & Cons
There are many benefits to ordering from Moonshot snacks. Currently, the reviews on the website are overwhelmingly positive. Some of the benefits and drawbacks for us are:
Pros:
- The product is corn-free, soy-free, kosher, and dairy-free.
- Consumers have the option to subscribe.
- The emphasis on regenerative agriculture techniques is good for the environment.
- The Moonshot website blog provides information about climate change, cover cropping, and more.
Con:
- Consumers must order at least three boxes from the website
Food for Thought
In addition to sustainable environmental practices, the Moonshot brand also has content on its website to educate people about eating environmentally friendly. You can find recipes, advice, and more on the blog page. To keep up with new content, feel free to subscribe to the mailing list.
Julia has made history before this venture. She co-founded the unicorn company Zume Pizza. The idea for Planet FWD came after she had a child. She knew she wanted to provide the best foods for her child and make the world a better place. Tackling climate change is her approach to making that difference.
According to her, this product is just the beginning. The Moonshot brand has set a precedent that, hopefully, other companies will follow. This precedent includes regenerative farming, single-location production, and direct connections with producers.
Julia knows that there is no easy answer to climate change, but she hopes people will be motivated to do their part to stop the crisis. When you buy a box, you can trust that you are supporting a positive endeavor. And importantly, the crackers are delicious!
Moonshot Snacks