From Forest to Fuel: How Save the Rainforest Bars and Rainforest Foundation US Unite for Planetary Health
Nearly four decades ago, famed musician Sting and his wife, actress and producer Trudie Styler, pledged to stand alongside Brazil’s Kayapo people in their struggle against deforestation. That pledge became the Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS), a grassroots organization committed to defending both the Amazon rainforest and the Indigenous communities who call it home. Today, RFUS’s mission stretches far beyond Brazil, with projects active in Peru, Guyana, and across Mesoamerica—all driven by the core principle that environmental protection is inseparable from Indigenous rights.
At its heart, RFUS believes in a rights-based approach to environmental preservation. As Executive Director Suzanne Pelletier puts it, “Supporting Indigenous peoples as the primary guardians of the rainforest is fundamental to everything we do. This is not just about forest protection; it’s about supporting their rights, livelihoods, and ways of life.”
Indigenous Leadership at the Center of Conservation
The Amazon rainforest is home to an estimated 1.5 million Indigenous people. These communities have cultivated deep relationships with their lands over millennia—relationships grounded in stewardship, not exploitation. RFUS supports these communities by providing training in land management, legal advocacy, territorial monitoring, and policy development.
Why focus on Indigenous leadership? Because the data is clear: forests managed by Indigenous peoples are more resilient, absorb more carbon, and are less susceptible to deforestation than even national parks. “Deforestation is the second leading cause of carbon emissions on the planet,” explains Pelletier. “Yet forests protected by Indigenous peoples are some of the most effective carbon sinks we have.”
Last year alone, RFUS helped more than 200 Indigenous communities strengthen their internal governance and financial management systems—investing not just in forest conservation, but in the autonomy and resilience of those best equipped to lead it.
A Superfood Bar with a Purpose
Half a continent away, Lauren Feingold and Ashanty Williams were building something else rooted in the Amazon—Save the Rainforest Bars, a superfood-packed snack company born from a love of nutrition and a respect for the earth. As athletes and wellness advocates, the duo was determined to craft a clean, energizing bar made from the most potent natural ingredients they could find. Many of those, they discovered, came straight from the Amazon.
“Over time, we became more informed about where our ingredients were coming from,” says Feingold. “We started to learn more about the Amazon region and how it’s been affected by deforestation.”
That awareness sparked action. Introduced to Rainforest Foundation US through a business connection, Feingold and Williams were immediately drawn to the organization’s mission. It wasn’t just about trees—it was about people, sovereignty, and sustainability. “We were inspired by the powerful work RFUS has done to protect the ancestral lands of the Amazon,” Feingold says.
The partnership was a natural fit.
Profits with Purpose: A Model for Eco-Entrepreneurship
Today, Save the Rainforest Bars donates 5% of all profits directly to RFUS. It’s a tangible way to give back to the source of their nutrient-rich ingredients while helping preserve the ecosystem and communities that cultivate them.
“We understand that the benefits of eating nutrient-dense, functional ingredients only happen when you protect Mother Earth—the magical source of our amazing ingredients,” Feingold reflects. “It’s been an honor to partner with such an important organization and to do our small part.”
The bars themselves are as vibrant and nourishing as the region that inspires them. Produced in a raw, paleo-certified facility, flavors like Mango Cashew, Mexican Chocolate, and Blueberry Matcha combine powerful superfoods with a chef’s touch and an athlete’s sensibility. More than just snacks, they’re a celebration of rainforest abundance—and a call to protect it.
Healing Ourselves, Healing the Planet
This collaboration between a mission-driven nonprofit and a conscious food brand underscores a deeper truth: environmental health and human well-being are intertwined. When companies choose transparency, ethical sourcing, and environmental partnerships, consumers are empowered to make choices that nourish both their bodies and the planet.
And for RFUS, the story is full circle. From a seed planted in 1988 by artists and activists, the foundation has grown into a force supporting hundreds of Indigenous communities across the Americas. Through tools, training, and advocacy, they ensure these communities can safeguard their ancestral lands—lands that sustain global biodiversity, regulate the climate, and inspire the ingredients in your snack bar.
