{{short description|American businessman (born 1954)}} {{Infobox person | name = Gary Hirshberg | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1954}} | birth_place = Manchester, New Hampshire, United States | education = The Derryfield School | alma_mater = Hampshire College (BA) | occupation = Chairman and former CEO of Stonyfield Farm | political_party = Democratic | spouse = Margaret Hirshberg | children = 3 }}

'''Gary Hirshberg''' (born 1954)<ref name="interview">{{cite news |last1=Teather |first1=David |title=King of organic yoghurt adds UK to milk round |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/may/18/supermarkets.food |accessdate=26 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=May 18, 2007}}</ref> is an American businessman, co-founder and the former CEO of Stonyfield Farm, an organic yogurt company based in Londonderry.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Gary Hirshberg |url=https://hirshberginstitute.com/gary-hirshberg/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> He joined the company shortly after its founding in 1983 and stepped down in 2011, remaining as its chairman. Hirshberg is also the founder of the NGOs Organic Voices and the Northeast Organic Farm Partnership.<ref name=":1" />

In 2011, Hirshberg was mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate against New Hampshire's junior U.S. Senator John E. Sununu.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110918/NEWS0604/709189959/0/news11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023332/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110918/NEWS0604/709189959/0/news11|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2017|title=With Lynch out, lengthy list eyes governor's seat {{!}} New Hampshire|work=UnionLeader.com|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Hirshberg was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1954. He is an alumnus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, graduating in 1976, and of The Derryfield School in Manchester, New Hampshire.<ref name="interview" />

==Career== Early in his career, Hirshberg served as executive director of the New Alchemy Institute, a research and education center focused on organic farming, aquaculture, and renewable energy.<ref>{{cite news |title=PAN in conversation Gary Hirshberg |url=http://www.panna.org/pan-conversation-gary-hirshberg |accessdate=26 October 2018 |publisher=Pesticide Action Network |date=November 4, 2013 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027022503/http://www.panna.org/pan-conversation-gary-hirshberg |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1983, Hirshberg joined the board of The Rural Education Center (TREC), a small organic farming school with seven cows in Wilton, NH, where Stonyfield was founded. He served as CEO of Stonyfield from its inception until 2011, during which time the company reached $360 million in annual sales.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stonyfield exec urges Bates grads to doubt 'experts' |url=http://www.sunjournal.com/stonyfield-exec-urges-bates-grads-doubt-experts/ |accessdate=26 October 2018 |publisher=Sun Journal |date=May 26, 2013 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061535/http://www.sunjournal.com/stonyfield-exec-urges-bates-grads-doubt-experts/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Stonyfield Farm === During his tenure as CEO, Stonyfield allowed customers to "adopt" cows and learn about farms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moss Kanter |first1=Rosabeth |title=Adopt a Cow: Strategy as Improvisational Theater |url=https://hbr.org/2010/10/adopt-a-cow-strategy-as-improv.html |accessdate=26 October 2018 |publisher=Harvard Business Review |date=October 12, 2010}}</ref> Participants received a photo of their sponsored Stonyfield cow, updates about life on the farm and issues facing small farmers, and information about farming methods. Other Stonyfield programs included "Profits for the Planet", by which Stonyfield donated 10% of profits annually through grants to environmentally focused non-profit organizations, and "Salute Your Commute", a program designed to encourage consumers to use alternative modes of transportation to help reduce carbon emissions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Makower |first1=Joel |title=Gary Hirshberg: Changing the Culture and 'Stirring It Up |url=https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/01/07/gary-hirshberg-changing-culture-and-stirring-it |accessdate=26 October 2018 |publisher=Green Biz |date=January 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Delves Broughton |first1=Philip |title=Taking Care of the Customer |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123914815543399105 |accessdate=26 October 2018 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 8, 2009}}</ref>

Under Hirshberg's leadership, Stonyfield's compounded annual growth rate reached over 23%. In 2001, Hirshberg arranged the sale of Stonyfield to Danone and remained CEO for 10 years. In January 2012, he named former Ben & Jerry's CEO Walt Freese as his successor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120112/NEWS02/120119976/0/|title=Hirshberg steps down at Stonyfield, former Ben & Jerry's CEO to take over {{!}} New Hampshire|work=UnionLeader.com|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>

After stepping down, Hirshberg became chairman and the managing director of Stonyfield Europe, launching organic brands in France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain.

He resigned from his Danone responsibilities in March 2017 when the US Department of Justice required Danone to divest its Stonyfield holdings. Hirshberg remains Stonyfield's Chair under the new ownership, Lactalis.

== Controversies == The Genetic Literacy Project, a non-profit organization promoting awareness and discussion of genetics, biotechnology, evolution and science literacy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission, Financial Transparency and Governance |url=https://geneticliteracyproject.org/mission-financials-governance/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Genetic Literacy Project |language=en-US}}</ref> has accused Hishberg of promoting an anti-GMO scare campaign in American media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entine |first=Jon |date=2018-07-31 |title=Viewpoint: Stonyfield Organic enlisted 'rapid response team' of academics to 'scare people' about GMOs |url=https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/07/31/viewpoint-stonyfield-organic-enlisted-rapid-response-team-of-academics-to-scare-people-about-gmos/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Genetic Literacy Project |language=en-US}}</ref> GLP's founder, Jon Entine, called Hishberg a "shill propagandist" in a HuffPost op-ed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-30 |title=As Gary Hirshberg Emerges as Face of Anti-GMO Labeling Movement, Science Takes a Hit |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/as-gary-hirshberg-emerges_b_7898444 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

Politico published an article detailing Hirshberg's lobbying activities. The article commented on Hirshberg's attempts to convince Hillary Clinton to "become more involved in the federal effort to establish mandatory labeling, arguing that such a position could help her appeal to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ progressive base and others on the left."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopkinson |first=Jenny |date=2016-10-11 |title=Stonyfield's Hirshberg pushed Clinton on GMO labeling |url=https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-agriculture/2016/10/hirshberg-pushed-clinton-on-gmo-labeling-216798 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref>

==Activities== Hirshberg serves on corporate and non-profit boards including Blue Apron, Inc, Forager Project, Late July Snacks, Orgain, Peak Organic Brewing, Sweetgreen, Sweet Earth Natural Foods, and Unreal, as well as on the Advisory Board of Applegate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=10114570&privcapId=371365420|title=Gary R. Hirshberg |publisher=Bloomberg|accessdate=February 23, 2019}}</ref> He was also the chairman and co-founder of O'Naturals, a chain of fast food restaurants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-06-15-0506150258-story.html|title=What's next for fast food? McTofu?|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=June 15, 2005}}</ref>

Hirshberg is chairman and founding partner of ''Just Label It,'' the national campaign to label genetically engineered foods. He is also the chairman of Organic Voices, a consortium that seeks to eliminate consumer confusion about the benefits of organic foods. In March 2011, President Obama appointed Hirshberg to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, where he served from 2011 until February 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/29/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-32911|title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 3/29/11|date=2011-03-29|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life== Hirshberg is married to writer Meg Cadoux Hirshberg. They have three children, including Ethan, who is the founder of "Ethan's", a functional drink business.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How one father and son duo is tackling the organic industry {{!}} Food Dive |url=https://www.fooddive.com/news/how-one-father-and-son-duo-is-tackling-the-organic-industry/556787/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.fooddive.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The family currently lives in Concord, New Hampshire.

==Publications== Hirshberg is the author of ''Stirring it Up: How to Make Money and Save the World.'' (2008).

*''[http://www.justlabelit.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LabelItNow.pdf Label it Now: What You Need to Know About Genetically Engineered Foods],'' co-author, eBook, [http://newwordcity.com New Word City, Inc.] 2012 *[https://www.amazon.com/Anything-Neutral-About-Going-Carbon-ebook/dp/B005AK15WC ''Anything But Neutral About Going (Carbon) Neutral''], eBook, [http://www.newwordcity.com/ New Word City, Inc.] 2011 *[https://www.amazon.com/Stirring-Up-Make-Money-World/dp/1401303447 ''Stirring it Up: How to Make Money and Save the World'']. Hyperion, 2008 *''[https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=17138936299 Gardening for all seasons: The complete guide to producing food at home 12 months a year]'', co-author, Brick House Pub Co., 1983 *''[https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Water-Pumping-Windmill-Book/dp/0931790239/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 The New Alchemy Water Pumping Windmill Book],'' Brick House Pub Co., 1982

==Awards and recognition== Hirshberg has received twelve honorary doctorates and several corporate and environmental leadership awards, including a 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by the US EPA.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/environmental-merit-awards-new-england/2012-environmental-merit-award-recipients#LifetimeAchievement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203045054/http://www.epa.gov/environmental-merit-awards-new-england/2012-environmental-merit-award-recipients#LifetimeAchievement|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|title=2012 Environmental Merit Award Recipients|website=US EPA|date=13 October 2015 |language=en|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> He was named a Yale Gordon Grand Fellow, one of "America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs" by ''Business Week,'' and one of the top ten "Most Inspiring People in Sustainable Food" by ''Fast Company''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1572302/eat-onomics-ten-most-inspiring-people-sustainable-food|title=Eat-onomics: The Ten Most Inspiring People in Sustainable Food|date=2010-03-08|work=Fast Company|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en-US}}</ref> He was featured in the 2008 documentary "Food, Inc."

Awards received by Hirshberg include:

*[http://icahn.mssm.edu/about/departments/environmental-public-health/cehc Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center] Champion for Children award, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://icahn.mssm.edu/files/ISMMS/Assets/Departments/Environmental%20Medicine%20and%20Public%20Health/CEHC2015AnnualReport.pdf|title=Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center Annual Review, 2015|last=Southwick|first=Katherine|date=|website=|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref> *[https://www.unh.edu/social-innovation Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise], Social Innovator of the Year, 2015<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.unh.edu/social-innovation/2015-social-innovator-year|title=2015 Social Innovator of the Year|date=2016-10-26|work=University of New Hampshire|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en}}</ref> *US Environmental Protection Agency Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012<ref name=":0" /> *Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ota.com/about-ota/organic-leadership-awards/honorees/Gary%20Hirshberg|title=Award Honorees {{!}} OTA|website=www.ota.com|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> *[http://www.newhope.com/ New Hope Natural Media] Hall of Legends Inductee, 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newhope.com/tradeshows/hall-legends-2012-honorees|title=Hall of Legends 2012 honorees|date=2012-03-08|website=New Hope Network|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> *Yale University Gordon Grand Fellow, 2010 *[http://www.globalgreen.org/ Global Green Foundation] Millennial Award for Corporate Environmental Responsibility, 1999 *[http://www.millyardcommunications.com/ Business NH Magazine] Business Leader of the Year, 1998 *US Small Business Administration Small Business Leader of the Year, 1998 *Ernst and Young New England Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 1993

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.stonyfieldfarm.com/about_us/26_years_of_making_a_difference/index.jsp Stonyfield Farm Company Bio] *[http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080901/hitched-to-someone-elses-dream.html?title=Hitched+to+Someone+Else's+Dream Hitched to Someone Else's Dream], an Inc. Magazine article on Stonyfield's early days by Meg Hirshberg *[http://asiasociety.org/video/business-economics/healthy-outlook-organic-food-asia-complete Video of discussion with Gary Hirshberg on the organic food industry in Asia at the Asia Society, New York, 11/9/2009] *[https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/551875796/stonyfield-yogurt-gary-hirshberg How I Built This Podcast - Stonyfield Yogurt: Gary Hirshberg]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hirshberg, Gary}} Category:Hampshire College alumni Category:Living people Category:People from Concord, New Hampshire Category:People from Manchester, New Hampshire Category:New Hampshire Democrats Category:American chief executives in the food industry Category:1954 births