At INFRA, being B Corp Certified means putting people and community impact at the center of everything we do. During B Corp Month, we’re reflecting on how this commitment shows up in all aspects of our business—through benefits that support employee wellbeing, flexible schedules that encourage work-life balance, and a culture that values INFRA employees as whole people. It also extends beyond our walls, with giving initiatives, volunteer efforts, and partnerships that strengthen our involvement in the good food movement and uphold our mission of making sustainable food more accessible for all. Read on to hear from INFRA employees, and Director of People & Culture Michele Lamppa, about how these values come to life across our organization.
Why B Corp?
B Lab’s certification standards require B Corporations to meet a high standard for social responsibility. This extends beyond day-to-day operations to encompass large-scale positive impact—from inclusive stakeholder governance to human rights to diversity, equity, and inclusion. INFRA is proud to champion people-first policies that support a culture of collaboration, autonomy, and inclusivity.
In many ways, INFRA’s commitment to using business as a force for good is innate to our mission and work. As Michele Lamppa, Director of People & Culture, comments “Our mission attracts purpose-driven people who care deeply about creating a better food system. Employee satisfaction isn’t just about creating an inclusive, welcoming work environment, it’s about connecting passionate people to meaningful work.”
This purpose-driven approach also applies to the ways that staff collaborate, problem solve, and work together. Nick Auzenne, Director of Promotional Programs, comments “INFRA feels genuinely collaborative, with easy access to leadership and open dialogue across teams… The culture is less about hierarchy and more about solving problems together.”
INFRA’s B Corp Certification is just another step in realizing a higher standard of social responsibility, for both our members and our employees.
Community Involvement
In addition to fostering a positive and collaborative work culture, INFRA also encourages local community outreach through paid volunteering, employee-led giving, and partnerships with organizations. In 2025, INFRA staff completed over 260 volunteer hours, lending their time to local food banks, urban farms, and other organizations.
“We encourage our staff to give back in ways that align with both personal passions and our broader mission,” Michele says. One way that INFRA offers a personalized approach to giving is our participation in Give to the Max Day, a Minnesota state-wide day of philanthropy that raised just under $40 million last year. Each INFRA employee is given a stipend to support a cause that matters to them. In addition, INFRA’s yearly day of volunteering, titled the “Day of Love,” allows staff to volunteer at organizations that are making a meaningful local impact.
Hailey Craig, Events & Education Specialist, speaks to her experience volunteering with Urban Roots, a youth development organization and urban farm in St. Paul, MN. “Volunteering has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time here. My favorite experience was volunteering with Urban Roots and being able to plant trees in a nearby park that needed some heavy reforestation efforts. We spent the day digging holes, planting baby trees, and watering the plants, and we all ended the day tired, covered in dirt, but more inspired than ever.”
Mission-Driven Work
Above all, INFRA’s mission and purpose is to support independent natural food retailers in making healthy, sustainable foods accessible to all. This purpose is felt deeply by staff, whether they spend their time connecting directly with members in the field, or behind the scenes providing support. This commitment to mission and purposeful impact isn’t just a hiring perk or selling point, it is integral to INFRA as a member-owned cooperative.
As Promotional Programs Coordinator, Sheena Robe, states “INFRA’s mission reinforces the idea that business can be a force for collective well-being… When we strengthen independent stores, we’re also supporting local jobs, food access, and community stability. That interconnectedness shapes how I think about impact, it’s not separate from the workplace; it’s part of a broader ecosystem of support.”
Overall, INFRA’s B Corp Certification is just another step towards creating a positive work culture grounded in accountability, inclusivity, and collaboration. As Michele notes, “this certification means continuing our ongoing effort to approach the employee experience with thoughtfully next and flexibility through everyday practices; openness, cross-team collaboration, and room for individual autonomy. B Corp’s ever evolving standards give us valuable benchmarks to aim towards while evolving our culture of shared purpose and respect.”
Want to learn more about INFRA’s B Corp Certification and what it means for our business? Visit naturalfoodretailers.com/about/infra-b-corp-certification.
#INFRANews#IndustryNews#INFRABlog