Efficiency To Environmental Accountability:Modernizing a100-Year-Old Wellness Icon with Ashton Roberts, Manager of SupplyChain & AnalyticsBragg Live Foods
Blending legacy and innovation through sustainable supply chain strategy, B Corp accountability, and data driven growth.
For more than a century, Bragg Live Foods has been synonymous with health and wellness. Its iconic apple cider vinegar has quietly lived in kitchen cabinets, natural food stores, and wellness routines long before trends made it fashionable. But behind that familiar label is a modern story of data, sustainability, and strategic growth.
On this episode of The Wild Party Podcast, Ashton Roberts, Manager of Supply Chain and Analytics at Bragg Live Foods, shares how she is helping guide a legacy brand into its next chapter. Her work sits at the intersection of sustainability, logistics, and innovation, proving that the supply chain is not just operational, it is transformational.
As Ashton puts it, “I fundamentally believe that good corporate sustainability lives within the supply chain house. That’s where you get things done. That’s where the materials are. That’s where the biggest impact can be made.”
Finding Purpose in the Supply Chain
Ashton’s path to Bragg was not accidental. After earning her MBA in sustainable business practices during the height of the pandemic, she knew she wanted her work to align with her values. Sustainability was not a side project. It was the foundation.
She joined Bragg in 2020 as a supply chain data analyst and quickly found herself immersed in a fast-growing company navigating global uncertainty. What began as building forecasting models and inventory dashboards evolved into managing the company’s S&OP process and serving as the bridge between sales and operations.
“It’s dynamic. It’s exciting,” she says. “I sit at the nexus of when we turn a forecast into an operating plan.”
Her conviction is clear. Sustainability is not a marketing story. It is built into the systems, the sourcing, and the partnerships that make a company function.
Balancing Growth and Global Uncertainty
Managing growth during extended lead times and supply disruptions is no small task. As Ashton explains, lengthening procurement cycles make forecasting more complex, especially for a company launching new products while expanding into new markets.
“When you’re growing, you don’t always have the most foresight into what is going to happen,” she says. “You’re getting new customers, launching new products, and it’s happening really fast. And when lead times start to extend, planning gets tricky.”
Instead of reacting to chaos, Ashton focuses on collaboration. Sales, marketing, finance, operations, and supply chain work together to anticipate demand and translate forecasts into actionable plans. This cross-functional alignment allows Bragg to remain agile while protecting product quality and brand integrity.
Efficiency Is Sustainability
For Ashton, sustainability is not a buzzword. It is measurable.
“I personally believe there is always efficiency in your supply chain to be found,” she says. “An efficient supply chain is a sustainable supply chain.”
Under her leadership, Bragg has optimized distribution networks, centralized warehousing, and increased the use of rail transportation when possible to reduce emissions and costs. These logistical shifts are not glamorous, but they are impactful.
The company has also partnered with Planet FWD to conduct lifecycle assessments and greenhouse gas inventories. One result was transitioning to partial post-consumer recycled material for certain packaging formats.
“It’s about accountability,” Ashton explains. “Recognizing that even if something isn’t directly your operation, your business grows and benefits from it. So let’s work together to improve it.”
Her focus on Scope 3 emissions and supplier collaboration signals a broader industry shift. The future of food supply chains will require transparency, partnership, and shared responsibility.
A Remote-First Culture That Supports Wellness
Bragg’s commitment to wellness extends beyond its products. The company is fully remote, a decision solidified during the pandemic. For Ashton, that flexibility has strengthened both performance and morale.
“Bragg allows its employees to have flexibility in their health and wellness and how they actualize that,” she shares.
Whether stepping away for a midday run, traveling to visit suppliers, or taking time to celebrate a life milestone like her wedding, the culture supports balance. And that balance fuels innovation.
“Your brain never really stops,” she says. “If you give yourself the space to step back, take a break, you come back that much more productive and that much better of a colleague.”
This alignment between internal culture and external mission creates authenticity. It is not just about selling wellness. It is about living it.
The Future of Accountable Supply Chains
When asked what she would change about the food industry’s supply chains, Ashton’s answer is clear: more accountability.
“I’d like to see more accountability for impacts across the supply chain,” she says. “Instead of saying that’s not my problem, recognize that your business grows and benefits from it.”
Her vision reflects a broader truth. Legacy brands do not stay relevant by standing still. They evolve by honoring their roots while embracing innovation.
Bragg has been part of the wellness conversation for over 100 years. With leaders like Ashton Roberts shaping its supply chain strategy, the next century looks just as impactful.
Listen and Learn More
To hear the full conversation with Ashton Roberts, tune in to this episode of The Wild Party Podcast. You will gain insight into how supply chain strategy, sustainability, and values-driven leadership intersect behind one of the most trusted brands in wellness.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.
To explore Bragg’s products or learn more about their sustainability initiatives, visithttps://www.bragg.com and discover how a legacy brand continues to innovate with purpose.
