Holle Sustainability: Demeter Farming & Environmental Practices
Holle is widely associated with organic and biodynamic baby food, but the environmental story behind the brand is more useful when it is described in specific, verifiable terms. Rather than treating sustainability as a general marketing claim, this guide looks at the practices Holle currently highlights: Demeter farming, soil health, biodiversity, resource use, greenhouse-gas accounting and supply-chain improvements.
Environmental practices do not determine whether a formula is nutritionally appropriate for an individual baby. Formula choice should still be based on age, product type, ingredients, preparation instructions and any medical feeding needs. Sustainability is a separate purchasing consideration.
Holle's connection with biodynamic agriculture
Holle states that it has worked with biodynamic agriculture since 1934 and describes itself as a Demeter pioneer in baby food. The company says that the majority of its products carry the Demeter label.
Demeter certification is based on biodynamic farming principles. These standards go beyond basic organic certification in areas such as farm management, soil fertility, animal husbandry and biodiversity. The practical point for shoppers is to check the certification shown on the exact Holle product rather than assuming every item in the brand carries identical certification.
For a deeper explanation of the certification itself, read our guide to the Demeter standard and biodynamic farming.
Why soil health is central to the Demeter approach
One of the main ideas behind biodynamic agriculture is the farm as a connected system. Holle describes this approach as a closed agricultural cycle in which soil fertility, crops and livestock are managed together.
The company specifically highlights humus formation as part of its environmental strategy. Increasing organic matter in soil can improve water and nutrient retention, while healthy soils can also store carbon. These are agricultural benefits associated with soil-management practices; they should not be interpreted as a claim that an individual package of formula has no environmental impact.
Biodiversity measures on Demeter farms
Holle also connects its Demeter sourcing strategy with biodiversity. In its current sustainability reporting, the company describes measures such as natural fertilization, restrictions on certain agricultural chemicals and the allocation of part of usable farmland to biodiversity initiatives.
Biodiversity measures can include maintaining habitats, supporting a wider range of plant and insect life and reducing pressure on agricultural ecosystems. The exact practices can vary by farm and certification program.
Holle's goat milk supply and Demeter conversion
Holle has reported a specific project involving goat milk sourcing in Germany. By the end of 2022, the company says that 11 goat farms from an organic goat milk cooperative had been converted to Demeter standards. Holle later reported that its four-product goat milk range was launched in Demeter quality in 2023.
This is a more meaningful sustainability claim than simply saying that all goat formula is environmentally friendly. It identifies a concrete supply-chain project and a certification standard that can be checked.
You can compare the current products in our Holle Goat Milk Formula collection.
Greenhouse-gas accounting, reduction and compensation
Holle's current environmental information states that greenhouse-gas emissions occur throughout its value chain and that the company calculates its carbon footprint using the GHG Protocol.
The company describes a hierarchy that includes reducing emissions through changes to packaging and production processes and supporting environmental projects for emissions that remain. Holle has also changed how some climate claims are presented on packaging as legal and regulatory expectations around environmental marketing have evolved.
That distinction matters. Terms such as climate neutral or climate positive can depend on the accounting methodology and the role of offsets or compensation projects. For that reason, this article does not treat those terms as a blanket claim about every Holle product.
Packaging and resource efficiency
Packaging, energy, water and transport are all part of the environmental footprint of food production. Holle states that it works to reduce resource use and improve production processes as part of its sustainability strategy.
Its current company reporting also discusses efforts to shorten transport distances and improve milk-processing efficiency within parts of the supply chain. These operational changes are relevant because sustainability is not limited to what happens on the farm; processing and logistics also contribute to a product's total footprint.
Organic does not mean zero environmental impact
Organic and biodynamic standards can change how agricultural ingredients are produced, but no packaged food product has zero environmental impact. Farming, processing, packaging, storage and transportation all use resources.
A more accurate comparison is therefore to ask which practices a manufacturer uses to reduce impact, how those practices are certified or measured, and whether the company publishes current information about its goals and results.
Does Demeter automatically make a formula better for a baby?
No. Demeter certification describes agricultural and processing standards. It is not a medical recommendation and does not make a formula automatically more suitable for every baby.
When choosing formula, first confirm that the product is appropriate for the baby's age and feeding needs. Then compare ingredients, stage, preparation instructions and any specialty indication. Environmental or certification preferences can be considered after those basic suitability questions.
For a broader selection framework, see How to Choose Baby Formula: Stages, Ingredients & Needs.
Which Holle formulas are available?
Our current catalog includes Holle cow milk, goat milk and A2 formula options across several age stages. Availability can change, so use the live collection pages to verify the products and stages currently offered.
What to check when sustainability matters to you
- Look for the certification shown on the exact product package.
- Distinguish EU organic certification from Demeter biodynamic certification.
- Check whether environmental claims describe measured reductions, farming practices or compensation projects.
- Prefer current manufacturer reporting over older marketing statements.
- Keep environmental preferences separate from medical or nutritional suitability.
Frequently asked questions
Is every Holle product Demeter certified?
No. Holle says that the majority of its products carry the Demeter label, but shoppers should verify the certification on the exact product they are buying.
What is biodynamic farming?
Biodynamic farming is an agricultural approach that treats the farm as an interconnected system and places strong emphasis on soil fertility, closed nutrient cycles, biodiversity and animal husbandry. Demeter is the best-known certification system for biodynamic agriculture.
Does Holle measure its carbon footprint?
Holle states that it calculates greenhouse-gas emissions across its value chain according to the GHG Protocol and combines reduction measures with environmental projects for remaining emissions.
Is Holle formula environmentally impact-free?
No packaged formula is impact-free. Agricultural production, manufacturing, packaging and transportation all require resources. Holle's sustainability program is better understood as a set of practices intended to reduce and manage those impacts.
A more useful way to evaluate Holle's sustainability
Holle's environmental positioning is strongest where it is tied to specific practices: long-term biodynamic sourcing, Demeter certification on qualifying products, soil and biodiversity initiatives, greenhouse-gas accounting and supply-chain projects.
For wholesale buyers, those factors can be useful when comparing brands, but they should be evaluated alongside current product specifications, certification on the package and the operational requirements of your market.
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