Localized Sweetener Alliance (LSA)

Our Mission

Industrial white sugar takes a massive environmental toll by contributing to a global food system that drives nearly one-third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it’s wise to consider localized sweetener options at commercial scales. Whether it’s tree saps in the Pacific Northwest, agave in the Southwest, or sweet sorghum in the Midwest, there are localized alternatives to refined sugar. These more sustainable choices showcase distinct regional flavor profiles without relying on hyper-processed bliss points which drive overconsumption that leads to health problems.

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community" — Aldo Leopold

A sustainable sweetener market must address the impact of agricultural beekeeping on biodiversity. While commercial honeybees (Apis mellifera) are vital to agriculture, managed hives can outcompete native pollinators for limited forage. The Localized Sweetener Alliance (LSA) seeks to promote responsible co-existence by connecting commercial beekeepers with local businesses and funding grants to boost revenue that would empower apiarists and communities to plant dedicated habitats for native wildflowers and pollinators.

Core Goals

Supply Chain Integration

Facilitate partnerships between regional alternative sweetener producers and local businesses in their vicinity.

Business Incubation

Assist alternative sweetener producers with the resources to found, scale, and grow their operations.

Economic Advocacy

Champion policies that empower small-scale sweetener producers and incentivize the local businesses that support them.

Ecological Stewardship

Advocate for policies and agricultural subsidies that reward beekeepers who actively mitigate their impact on native pollinators.

Key Initiatives

Policy & Research

Advocacy & Legislative Reform

LSA will lobby for policies that accelerate the growth, development, and adoption of local sweetener enterprises. This includes advocating for food manufacturer subsidies, state grants for alternative sweetener producers, and tax incentives for businesses that utilize sweeteners from local sources.

The Pollinator Offset Policy

Lobbying for subsidies that reward commercial beekeepers who plant designated acreages of native floral forage to offset their hives' impact on wild pollinators.

Academic Publication

Publishing scientific white papers and agronomic studies to guide policy on sweetener yields, economic impact, and pollinator health.

Industry & Supply Chains

The LSA B2B Network

Hosting regional matchmaking hubs to directly connect sweetener producers with local bakeries, beverage makers, and food manufacturers.

Cross-Industry Collaboration

Creating dedicated spaces to bring diverse sweetener producers together with external experts, including eco-economists, biologists, and supply chain managers.

The LSA Grant Program

Funding industry excellence by awarding micro-grants for achievements such as "Most Sustainable Producer" and "Highest Native Forage Offset."

Education & Outreach

Harvesting & Processing Workshops

Organizing, sponsoring, and promoting hands-on educational seminars dedicated to DIY and small-scale sweetener harvesting, pressing, and preparation.

Public Showcases

Holding community tasting competitions and bake sales to highlight regional sweetener producers, educate consumers, and drive local demand.

Habitat Awareness

Launching public campaigns to explain the commercial vs. native bee dynamic and advocating for urban pollination projects.

Founding Board of Directors

Join the Board

Kyle Howington — Founder & Interim Steering Chair — Develops the initial strategy, governance structure, and organizational framework. Driven by a passion for connecting public health initiatives with community-supported agriculture, Kyle launched LSA to bridge gaps between regional food producers, craft businesses, and ecological conservation. In this founding role, he oversees early-stage partnerships, guides the development of LSA’s national network, and leads the recruitment of the alliance's multidisciplinary expert board.

Director of Governance & Compliance (Board Seat Status: Open / Seeking Candidates) — Provides strategic legal and organizational oversight to ensure the LSA operates with structural integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. This volunteer leadership seat is responsible for establishing corporate bylaws, maintaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, reviewing policy frameworks, and advising the board on legal structures as LSA scales. This role is ideal for a practicing or retired attorney, non-profit professional, or governance specialist with a strong commitment to regional food systems, agricultural sustainability, and ecological stewardship.

Director of Economics & Resource Policy (Board Seat Status: Open / Seeking Candidates) — Provides strategic research direction and economic guidance to demonstrate the financial and ecological viability of regional sweetener supply chains. This volunteer leadership seat leads LSA’s policy research into crop yields, eco-economic impacts, regional market dynamics, and agricultural incentives that support alternative sweetener producers and local businesses. This role is ideal for an agricultural economist, resource economist, agroforester, or environmental policy researcher who is committed to building sustainable food systems that advance local community interests.

Director of Commerce & Logistics (Board Seat Status: Open / Seeking Candidates) — Provides strategic guidance to bridge the gap between regional sweetener producers and commercial food craft markets. This volunteer leadership seat leads LSA’s B2B partnership initiatives to help local sap, sorghum, honey, and fruit-sweetener producers meet commercial fulfillment requirements. This role is ideal for a commercial food procurement manager, supply chain executive, food systems consultant, or corporate chef with deep experience in ingredient sourcing, B2B matchmaking, farm-to-table partnerships, and regional logistics.

Director of Science & Pollinator Ecology (Board Seat Status: Open / Seeking Candidates) — Guarantees that LSA’s agricultural initiatives, community grants, and policy recommendations remain firmly grounded in sound environmental science. This volunteer leadership seat oversees research on native pollinator dynamics, forage availability, and habitat restoration to ensure managed honeybee operations co-exist sustainably with wild ecosystems. This role is ideal for an ecologist, entomologist, conservation biologist, or environmental researcher specializing in pollinator health, native plant botany, or agroecology.

Director of Strategic Development & Outreach (Board Seat Status: Open / Seeking Candidates) — Leads LSA’s capital strategy to secure the foundational funding necessary to scale regional programs and processing infrastructure. This volunteer leadership seat drives grant acquisition, donor relations, and corporate sponsorships to fund LSA’s operational outreach goals. This role is ideal for a non-profit development director, professional grant writer, foundation officer, or fundraising consultant with a proven track record in agricultural, environmental, or public health grantmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a localized alternative sweetener?

Localized alternative sweeteners are natural, minimally processed sweetening agents sourced, produced, and typically consumed regionally. This includes honey, sweet sorghum syrup, tree saps (such as maple or bigleaf), and concentrated fruit juices. These are considered sustainable alternatives to heavily refined and supply-chain-intensive cane, beet, and corn sugars.

Why focus on more than just honey and bees?

While honey is a vital regional sweetener, commercial honeybee hives can outcompete and disrupt wild, native pollinators. A resilient ecosystem requires a diverse approach that balances responsible beekeeping with a wide variety of other agricultural sweetening crops.