Gene has been an organic foods pioneer and an environmental leader for more than 30 years. In 1972 he founded Cascadian Farm, an organic food company which soon became one of the leaders in the industry. In 1998, with the addition of Muir Glen tomatoes, Cascadian Farm became part of Small Planet Foods. In 2000 Small Planet Foods was sold to General Mills. Gene continued as President of the company’s organic business and by September of 2003, he was appointed as vice president for sustainable development at General Mills.

In addition, Gene currently serves on the boards of the Governor's State of Washington Sustainability Panel, the Rachel Carson Council, and the Center for Organic Education and Promotion.  Mr. Kahn has formerly served on the boards of the Washington State Nature Conservancy, Washington State University College of Agriculture Advisory Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board.