Where Food Comes From
Where Food Comes From is an independent third-party food verification and certification company operating five subsidiaries (IMI Global, WFCF Organic, SureHarvest, Validus, Postelsia) and administering over 50 certification programs to 17,500+ producers, retailers, and CPG brands across North America.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersCastle Rock, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Where Food Comes From does
Where Food Comes From, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFCF) is an independent third-party food verification and certification company headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado, serving over 17,500 producers, processors, retailers, and CPG brands across North America. The company operates through five wholly-owned subsidiaries — IMI Global (verification services), WFCF Organic (USDA organic certification), SureHarvest (technology platforms including Passport Traceability, Sustainability Management, and Farm Management Software), Validus (animal welfare, environmental, and SQF audits), and Postelsia (market access) — and administers more than 50 certification programs including CARE Certified, RaiseWell Certified, Non-GMO Project, USDA Organic, Non-UPF Verified, SQF, and Upcycled Certified. WFCF holds stacked regulatory credentials (ISO 17065, ISO 9000, USDA NOP, USDA PVP, ANSI/SQFI) that function as the primary competitive moat against new entrants.
The business generates revenue primarily through recurring annual audit and certification fees for verification services ($4.4M in Q1 2026, up from $4.2M in Q1 2025) and subscription-based software revenue from the SureHarvest division priced per-acre per-module. Go-to-market combines regional field sales teams in key agricultural geographies (Northern California, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Central Valley CA), inside sales for mid-market enrollment, trade association channel partnerships (e.g., Montana Stockgrowers Association), and retailer-endorsement pull-through (Whole Foods Market adopting RaiseWell Certified). Named enterprise customers include Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Pangea, Labatt Food Service, and Country Natural Beef. Reported financials show FY2025 revenue of $24.9M (down from $25.7M in FY2024) and Q1 2026 revenue of $5.4M, with market capitalization of approximately $62.5M as of April 2026. The company is led by co-founder and CEO John Saunders and CFO Dannette Henning.
Where Food Comes From firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Where Food Comes From
- Legal name
- Where Food Comes From, Inc.
- Website
- https://wherefoodcomesfrom.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Where Food Comes From is an independent third-party food verification and certification company operating five subsidiaries (IMI Global, WFCF Organic, SureHarvest, Validus, Postelsia) and administering over 50 certification programs to 17,500+ producers, retailers, and CPG brands across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Food Comes From industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Certification and Verification Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Supplier Approval & Second-Party Audit Programs (Retailer/Brand/Manufacturer) (AFALACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainability/Ethical Sourcing Claim Verification (RSPO, Rainforest, Fairtrade) (AFALAGAJ), Farm & Primary Production Audits (GAP, Aquaculture, Livestock) (AFALABAD)
Keywords
Where Where Food Comes From is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Castle Rock
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Where Food Comes From business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Verification and Certification Services: Third-party verification and certification services for food production practices, including animal welfare, sustainability, organic, non-GMO, source verification, and other food claims. Revenue is generated through audit fees, certification fees, and program enrollment fees from farms, ranches, food companies, and retailers. Revenue from verification and certification services was $4.4 million in Q1 2026 (up from $4.2 million in Q1 2025).
- Technology and Software Services: SureHarvest division provides technology platforms including sustainability management tools and farm management software on a per-acre, per-module pricing basis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Farm Management Software - Per Acre Per Module Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Swine Auditor - Independent Contractor Rate |
| Other | Annual | Verification and Certification Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Where Food Comes From product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Where Food Comes From is an independent, third-party food verification company offering audit-based certification and verification services across more than 50 programs covering animal welfare, sustainability, organic, non-GMO, source verification, and food safety claims. The company operates through five divisions (IMI Global, WFCF Organic, SureHarvest, Validus, Postelsia) and serves over 17,500 producers, brands, and retailers across North America. Its proprietary SureHarvest technology arm provides traceability, sustainability, and farm management software platforms alongside the verification services.
Product overview
Where Food Comes From is an independent, third-party food verification company offering a comprehensive suite of certification and technology solutions. The company operates through five divisions: IMI Global (verification services), WFCF Organic (USDA organic certification), SureHarvest (technology platforms including Passport Traceability, Sustainability Management Tools, and Farm Management Software), Validus (animal welfare and environmental reviews), and Postelsia (market access). The core product is third-party verification services supporting over 17,500 farmers, ranchers, and food supply chain stakeholders across more than 50 programs and certifications including CARE Certified, RaiseWell Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA Organic, Non-UPF Verified, Upcycled Certified, SQF, and numerous other animal welfare, sustainability, and food safety standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CARE Certified: A suite of sustainability standards that certifies participating farmers and ranchers are implementing exceptional practices in Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship, and People & Community.
- RaiseWell Certified
- WFCF Source Verified
- WFCF Gluten Free
Products and services
- Third-Party Verification Services Independent third-party verification of food production claims where verification specialists and independent auditors review documentation and conduct onsite audits to confirm product claims are true. For farms, ranches, food companies, and retailers.
- USDA Process Verified Programs (PVP) USDA Process Verified Programs with documented quality management system using ISO 9000 series standards and QR Code labeling. For producers seeking domestic and international recognition of audit results.
- USDA Organic Certification USDA National Organic Program certification required by law in the U.S. to market products as Organic. For organic producers and processors.
- Validus Certification Programs Animal Welfare Review, Environmental Review, and Worker Care Review certifications, including SQF (GFSI-benchmarked) audits in 10 Food Sector Categories (livestock, slaughterhouse, dairy, egg, seafood, feed, etc.) and Prop 12/Animal Care by CDFA audits. For food processors and producers.
- CARE Certified Suite of sustainability standards certifying farmers and ranchers implementing exceptional practices in Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship, and People & Community. Available for beef, dairy, poultry, pork, and fish producers.
- RaiseWell Certified Third-party standard for livestock and poultry that verifies animal welfare, verified natural practices, and full traceability from farm through processing. For livestock/poultry producers and their retail buyers.
- Upcycled Certified Certification program for upcycled food products designed to reduce food waste by promoting the upcycled food economy. For food manufacturers using ingredients that otherwise would have gone to waste.
- Non-GMO Project Verified Third-party verification and labeling program for non-GMO food and products, North America's most recognized program of its kind. For food brands seeking non-GMO verification.
- Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification recognized worldwide and requested by food processors and manufacturers. Audits conducted on farm and in plants processing raw agricultural goods.
- WFCF Source Verified Source verification program confirming products come from specific approved sources, providing known source of origin for brands, stores, and restaurants.
- Non-UPF Verified Third-party certification from the Non-GMO Project helping brands substantiate limited processing and recognizable ingredients. For food brands marketing minimally processed products.
- Prop 12 / Animal Care by CDFA Certification Certification program verifying compliance with California Proposition 12 farm animal confinement standards for veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens. For producers selling into the California market.
- SureHarvest Technology Platforms Custom software platforms providing traceability (Passport), sustainability management, and farm management software solutions for agriculture and food supply chains. Priced per acre per module.
Quantifiable outcome
- Upcycled Certified products divert an average of 390,000 tons of food waste annually since program launch
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Where Food Comes From
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Where Food Comes From technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Where Food Comes From partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- US AgricharminorUS Agrichar, a Colorado-based biochar producer, achieved USDA organic certification for its biochar issued by Where Food Comes From Organic. The certification validates the company's production processes, feedstock sourcing, and compliance with USDA organic requirements. WFCF Organic serves as an accredited USDA organic certification body.
- Montana Stockgrowers AssociationminorMontana Stockgrowers Association partnered with IMI Global and Where Food Comes From to offer MSGA members a $50 discount on verification services throughout 2026. The verification programs help cattle producers document stewardship practices, meet buyer requirements, and capture added value in the supply chain.
- PangeacorePangea, a global automotive leather supplier, partnered with Where Food Comes From, Walmart, and Prime Pursuits to establish traceability and transparency in its supply chain. The initiative ensures each hide is traceable from ranch to finished product, emphasizing animal welfare and sustainability. WFCF's CARE Certified program certifies the sustainability of leather used in automotive interiors, with the collaboration supporting a more sustainable and transparent beef supply chain.
- Prime PursuitsminorPrime Pursuits partnered with Pangea, Where Food Comes From, and Walmart to promote sustainable leather sourced from American beef producers. The collaboration aims to increase transparency and add value for ranchers by certifying leather sustainability for automotive interiors.
- WalmartcoreWalmart partnered with Pangea, Prime Pursuits, and Where Food Comes From to promote sustainable leather sourced from American beef producers through the CARE Certified program. This collaboration supports the broader goal of creating a more sustainable and transparent beef supply chain by certifying leather from WFCF-verified American beef producers for use in Walmart's automotive interior supply chain.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Where Food Comes From competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SGS SA: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with significant food and agri-commodities certification business. Competes with WFCF for large enterprise and international food verification contracts.
- Intertek: Global assurance, testing, and certification company operating across agri-food supply chains. Offers organic, food safety, and sustainability certifications comparable to WFCF's program portfolio.
- NSF International: Global public health and safety organization providing food safety certification, testing, and auditing services. Overlaps with WFCF's verification offerings but operates across broader non-food categories.
- Eurofins Scientific: International testing services group with strong food and feed testing operations. While more focused on laboratory testing, competes for food safety and quality verification budgets at major food brands.
- Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification firm with agri-food and commodity services covering food safety audits, organic certification, and supply chain verification. Comparable as a global incumbent in food certification.
Direct peers
- AIB International: Food safety auditing organization serving food manufacturers, processors, and retailers globally. Directly comparable to WFCF's Validus division for food safety audits and prerequisite program reviews.
- Control Union: Global certification company specializing in sustainable agriculture, organic, and supply chain certifications. Comparable to WFCF's sustainability and traceability verification offerings.
- CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers): USDA-accredited organic certification organization with strong presence in produce and specialty crops. Directly competes with WFCF Organic, particularly among West Coast producers.
- SCS Global Services: Independent third-party certification body offering food safety, organic, sustainability, and traceability certifications across agriculture supply chains. Directly comparable to WFCF's multi-program verification model.
- Quality Assurance International (QAI): USDA-accredited organic certification body owned by NSF. Directly competes with WFCF Organic for organic certification contracts from food producers and processors.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Where Food Comes From social profiles
Digital presenceWhere Food Comes From compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Where Food Comes From financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Where Food Comes From leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Where Food Comes From subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Where Food Comes From funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Where Food Comes From M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Where Food Comes From
What does Where Food Comes From do?
Where Food Comes From is an independent, third-party food verification company offering audit-based certification and verification services across more than 50 programs covering animal welfare, sustainability, organic, non-GMO, source verification, and food safety claims. The company operates through five divisions (IMI Global, WFCF Organic, SureHarvest, Validus, Postelsia) and serves over 17,500 producers, brands, and retailers across North America. Its proprietary SureHarvest technology arm provides traceability, sustainability, and farm management software platforms alongside the verification services.
Is Where Food Comes From a public or private company?
Where Food Comes From is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Where Food Comes From founded?
Where Food Comes From was founded in 1986. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Where Food Comes From based?
Where Food Comes From is headquartered in Castle Rock, United States, in the North America region.
How does Where Food Comes From make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Verification and Certification Services are the primary driver. The others are technology and Software Services.
Who are Where Food Comes From's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SGS SA, Intertek, NSF International, Eurofins Scientific and Bureau Veritas. Direct peers are AIB International, Control Union, CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), SCS Global Services and Quality Assurance International (QAI).
Does Where Food Comes From have an API?
No public API is recorded for Where Food Comes From.
What industry is Where Food Comes From in?
Where Food Comes From's product category is Food Certification and Verification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALACAF, Supplier Approval & Second-Party Audit Programs (Retailer/Brand/Manufacturer), with a secondary code of AFALAGAJ, Sustainability/Ethical Sourcing Claim Verification (RSPO, Rainforest, Fairtrade).