Eat the Change

About Eat the Change

Eat the Change is a food and beverage company based in Bethesda, MD, that creates organic, planet-friendly products. It was launched in March 2020 by Seth Goldman, the co-founder of Honest Tea and chairman of Beyond Meat, and celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn. The company operates on the principle that dietary choices are the single most significant way individuals can impact the environment.

The company's creation was driven by Goldman's extensive experience in the organic and sustainable food sector. After co-founding Honest Tea and helping it grow into a major brand that was ultimately acquired by Coca-Cola, Goldman saw a new opportunity. When Coca-Cola discontinued Honest Tea in 2022, Goldman launched a new line of bottled organic teas called JUST ICE TEA under the Eat the Change platform to fill the market void and support the network of organic and fair-trade suppliers he had cultivated. This new tea brand experienced rapid growth, achieving in two years what took Honest Tea a decade.

Eat the Change's business model is centered on producing and selling chef-crafted, nutrient-dense foods and beverages that are responsibly sourced. Its product portfolio includes JUST ICE TEA, an organic and Fair Trade Certified bottled tea available in unsweetened and "Just Sweet Enough" options, and Cosmic Chews, a nutrient-dense alternative to traditional fruit snacks made from simple ingredients like organic carrots and fruit juice. The company avoids using the six crops that account for over half of all agricultural production—sugar, corn, rice, wheat, potatoes, and soy—to support biodiversity. Revenue is generated through the sale of its products in retail stores and direct-to-consumer channels. The company has successfully raised capital to fund its expansion, including a $14.5 million round in 2022 to launch JUST ICE TEA and another $14 million in 2023 for wider distribution.

In addition to its for-profit ventures, Eat the Change has a strong social mission. Through its philanthropic arm, Eat the Change Impact, co-founded with Julie Farkas, the company donates significant funds to nonprofit organizations that promote climate-friendly eating habits. This grant program aims to expand access to and awareness of planet-friendly diets by supporting initiatives focused on plant-based foods, organic agriculture, and food waste reduction.