Applegate Do Good Dog changes the hot dog conversation

Usually, the hot dog conversation focuses on the condiment debate but the Applegate Do Good Dog looks to forward the brand’s conversation on “Changing The Meat We Eat.” Can the humble hot dog created a bigger impact beyond satisfying a hunger?

Today’s food conversation extends beyond the plate. It is more than just appreciating how healthy eating can impact the person. From the farmer to the planet, the complete circle of how food goes from seed to plate and back to the ground is more than a topic from high school science class. That interconnection is part of a bigger conversation.

Recently, many people have sought to change their healthy eating plan as well as their food choices based on the environmental impact. Beyond appreciating where food comes from, sometimes food can give back. In some ways, that nourishment is the food conversation that more people need to appreciate.

With the Applegate Do Good Dog, the brand is looking to change the “humble hot dog” again. While 15 year ago the brand revolutionized the hot dog by using just four simple ingredients, this new change looks to do good beyond the plate.

According to Applegate, the Do Good Dog is “the first nationally available hot dog made with beef raised on verified regenerative U.S. grasslands.” While that statement sounds important, the idea is to partner with farms that are making a positive environmental impact, in this case focusing on the regenerative practices.

As John Ghingo, President of Applegate said, “It’s fashionable to argue that the only way to fight climate change is to eliminate meat. In fact, the opposite is true. Animals have a vital role to play in restoring soil health, sequestering carbon and safeguarding the land against drought, wildfires, erosion and other devastating results of climate change. Our mission is to scale regenerative practices beyond small farms and niche markets. It’s the only way to make a big enough impact.”

While these changes are important for the environment, consumers will still have the same taste. The reality is that the simple, four ingredient hot dog flavor remains the same. The difference stems from the sourced ingredients. Just like a chef can appreciate quality ingredients create a quality product, consumers can appreciate this concept as well.

Although this Do Good Dog may not change everyone’s perspective immediately, it sparks a conversation about a company’s impact beyond the table. Given that consumers want to align with brands that match their concerns, the conversation needs to move forward. It is more than just a flavorful food for dinner. The story of how that food arrives on the table offers that seasoning to make it more enjoyable.

What do you think of the Applegate Do Good Dog? Do you think that other brands will start to implement these changes in their food production?