A business purpose statement for a food company defines why your business exists beyond making money— the change you’re creating through food. Examples range from Patagonia Provisions’ “to make delicious, nutritious, responsibly sourced foods that restore, rather than deplete, our home planet” to Sweetgreen’s “to inspire healthier communities by connecting people to real food.” The best food business purpose statements are specific, authentic to actual practices, and connect to stakeholders beyond just customers.
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose is your WHY, not your WHAT. A purpose statement explains why your food business exists beyond profit. A mission statement describes what you do and for whom. Don’t confuse them.
- Purpose-driven food businesses outperform. Research shows purpose-driven companies outperform the stock market by 42%, and customers are 79% more loyal to brands whose purpose they share.
- The best purpose statements are specific and authentic. Avoid generic language. Name the actual change you’re making— whether that’s regenerative farming, community health, or preserving culinary traditions.
- You can write one in an afternoon. Start with one question: What would the world lose if your food business didn’t exist?
