008: How to Achieve a Net Zero Status in Your Business Operations with Nels Leader

Essential Ingredients Podcast

“There’s still a lot of room in grocery stores for better products. So, there’s a lot more that we could do.” -Nels Leader

As the world continues to grapple with the issue of climate change, businesses are under pressure to find ways to operate in a more sustainable way. One way to do this is by achieving a Net Zero status. Net Zero means a company offsets all of its carbon emissions.

Achieving Net Zero is a major commitment for businesses, but it is one that can have a big impact on combating climate change. As more businesses strive for net zero, we will move closer to a sustainable future. Moreover, achieving Net Zero is not only good for the environment and for the people, but it can also help businesses save money on energy costs and make them more attractive to customers and investors.

Bread Alone is one of the companies that has worked hard to achieve this status. Bread Alone is a family-owned, values-driven company that has been making fresh, organic bread since 1983. Besides their tasty, honest, and affordable products, this values-driven bakery is a passionate advocate for regenerative farming and other sustainability measures. They are also committed to supporting local farmers, protecting the environment, and promoting the health of their customers.

In this episode, Justine sits with Nels Leader, the CEO of Bread Alone to discuss how we can be faithful stewards of the earth. Listen in as Nels shares what we can learn from his parents, Dan and Sharon about building a resilient family business and how they were able to build their facilities and run their operations in a very sustainable way. Justine and Nels also talk about how we can find a more purpose-driven life, why we should not stop or slow down in making better products, and how big of a difference small changes can make.

Meet Nels:

Nels Leader is the CEO of Bread Alone, a family-owned bakery that supports sustainable business for people and for the planet. Their family moved to the Catskill Mountains in 1983 where they started their journey. Since then, Bread Alone has become the home of freshly-baked oven organic bread. Nels joined his parents Dan and Sharon in 2012 and helped them make the company’s vision bigger.

Nels was also trained for AI Gore’s Climate Reality Project and is the co-owner of several other businesses. For the past years, Nels has been lecturing on Bard College's Sustainability Programs. Today, we can find Nels in Woodstock NY with his wife, son, and their dog.

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Episode Highlights:

01:17 The Genesis of Bread Alone

06:05 Building a Family Business

10:02 Searching for A More Purpose-Driven Life

13:04 How to Achieve Net Zero in Your Business

16:10 How to Start Operating in a More Sustainable Way

18:57 There’s More Room For Better Products