B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
©Copyright 2012 B Lab. All rights reservedAbout Barkwheats Dog Products
Barkwheats Dog Biscuits crafts grain-free treats for your canine companion using locally produced ingredients here in Maine. Veterinarians are increasingly citing grains as primary causes of health problems common in dogs, such as allergies, skin/coat problems, obesity, diabetes, kidney stones, and behavior issues. They are proud to use organic buckwheat - a berry, not a grain - that will not aggravate or cause wheat-allergies in your dog. Since buckwheat is not a grain, it is safe for dogs with gluten-intolerance. Their packaging is 100% certified compostable and the cellophane film used for their bags is carbon neutral in its production.
We became a B Corp to support an organization that is providing a model for all businesses to strive to be, to separate ourselves from companies who make "green" claims but may not be able to back up what they say, and to be a part of a larger community of business people who are working to change the world.
When Barkwheats was founded in 2008, they wanted to go a step beyond grain-free and nutritious treats for your dog. They wanted to make sure that all the ingredients had truly beneficial properties, and that they could personally meet all the people who produced each ingredient. What this means for you is that you can rest assured that you are getting the healthiest and safest treat for your dog.
The Change We Seek®
Barkwheats is looking to offer an alternative for dog owners who want to feed their pets locally produced and grown food at a price they can afford. They want to de-centralize a dog's food chain to give them better health and nutrition and give us, their companions, many extra years of happiness and love.
• They are dedicated to producing nutritious dog treats that are grain-free as nature intended a dog's diet to be, low calorie and made of beneficial ingredients. Barkwheats is committed to purchasing ingredients directly from small-scale organic farmers. They partner with neighboring farms in Maine and family farms working with Sustainable Harvest International in Belize to source the quality ingredients at fair wage prices.
• They believe everyone has a responsibility to be a good steward of this Earth, and as a business they have an even greater capacity to make a difference. Barkwheats purchases only all-natural or organic ingredients as they believe chemical-free farming is critical to maintaining the integrity of the planet. Their packaging is 100% compostable, so as not to add to any landfill. They compost, recycle, purchase wind energy, use CFL bulbs and select the most energy efficient equipment to run their facility.
• They support the local economy by purchasing ingredients & services locally when possible. They pay a fair price to producers of their ingredients and they charge for a fair price in turn for their product. A sustainable business must be profitable and use those profits responsibly. Barkwheats seeks to have a lasting economic impact on their community and those touched by Barkwheats.
Barkwheats Dog Products
- Industry: Other
- Product/Services: Dog Biscuits
- Location: Stockton Springs, ME
- http://www.barkwheats.com
Summary:
Certified: December 2008| Points Earned | % Points Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability » | 12 | 80% |
| Employees » | 0 | 0% |
| Consumers » | 27.5 | 50% |
| Community » | 42.5 | 65% |
| Environment » | 14.8 | 59% |
| Composite B Score | 96.8 |
- >80 out of 200 is eligible for certification
- >60% points available = Area of excellence
Highlights:
From B Impact AssessmentEnvironment: >50% recycled office supplies; offsets 1-4% of carbon emissions from shipping
Community: majority of suppliers are certified organic; >60% of expenditures are directed toward local suppliers; >30% of suppliers located in low-income communities; banks with an independant local institution



