Nature's Path

Last updated
Nature's Path Foods, Inc.
Company type Private
Industry Organic food
Founded1985;39 years ago (1985)
Founder Arran Stephens; Ratana Stephens
Headquarters,
Canada
Area served
42 countries worldwide
Key people
Arjan Stephens, President; Jyoti Stephens, Vice-President; Arran Stephens, Co-Founder and Board Member; Ratana Stephens, Co-Founder and Board Member
Products Breakfast cereal; granola, oatmeal, tortilla chips, toaster pastries, waffles
Number of employees
700
Divisions EnviroKidz, Love Crunch, Que Pasa, Qi'a
Subsidiaries Anita's Organic Flour
Website naturespath.com

Nature's Path Foods, commonly known as Nature's Path, is a privately held, family-owned producer of certified organic foods. Originally known for its breakfast cereals, it now has a portfolio of more than 150 products. Founded in 1985 by Arran and Ratana Stephens, Nature's Path employs approximately 500 people, with manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States and sales in more than 40 countries. [1] All of its products are vegetarian, certified organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified. Nature's Path is a triple bottom line social enterprise and is recognized for incorporating the notion of sustainability into its business practices through its support of various charitable and eco-friendly initiatives. [2] The company is regularly named one of Canada's best employers. [3]

Contents

History

The company was founded by Arran Stephens and Ratana Stephens in 1985 in British Columbia, Canada, [1] and its first product was Manna Bread. [4] Previously, Stephens founded Lifestream (1971) Canada's first large organic supermarket and sold a successful line of natural products. Lifestream was sold to Kraft in 1981 but was repurchased by Stephens in 1995. [1] In September 2018, Nature's Path announced plans to move its head office from Richmond to East Vancouver. [5] The Stephens' son, Arjan, became President of Nature's Path in 2023.

Organic farming

The company has purchased 2,880 acres (1,170 ha) of organic farmland [1] in Saskatchewan that it crop shares with family farmers (Fox Valley, Legend Farms, Tompkins Landing Heritage Organic Farms) as well as 2,760 acres (1,120 ha) in Montana [6] (at Wild Horse, Vilicus Farms – including partnership and apprenticeship program) for a total of 5,640 acres (2,280 ha) of organic farmland. Nature's Path serves as an outlet/processor for many independent organic family farmers representing approximately 100,000 organic acres (40,000 ha). [7]

Non-GMO support

Nature's Path has been a staunch opponent of GMO proliferation since 2001, [8] and founder Arran Stephens was an early supporter and board member of the Non-GMO Project. [9] Nature's Path products are tested to bear the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal. [10] The brand sponsored the making of documentary GMO OMG by Jeremy Seifert in 2013 [11] and the Right2Know GMO March in 2011. The company was active in supporting the failed Proposition 37, previously the California Right to Know ballot initiative, for mandatory GMO labeling in California [9] by contributing $600,000, plus time and support, as well as supporting the Oregon and Colorado Right to Know campaigns in 2014. [12]

Products

The company's organic products are sold under the Nature's Path, Love Crunch, Qi’a, Flax Plus, and EnviroKidz brand names in grocery and specialty foods stores in over 42 countries worldwide. [1]

All Nature's Path products are certified organic [13] and vegetarian, many are vegan, [14] and a large number are gluten-free. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gluten</span> Group of cereal grain proteins

Gluten is a structural protein naturally found in certain cereal grains. The term gluten usually refers to the elastic network of a wheat grain's proteins, gliadin and glutenin primarily, that forms readily with the addition of water and often kneading in the case of bread dough. The types of grains that contain gluten include all species of wheat, and barley, rye, and some cultivars of oat; moreover, cross hybrids of any of these cereal grains also contain gluten, e.g. triticale. Gluten makes up 75–85% of the total protein in bread wheat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breakfast cereal</span> Processed food made from grain

Breakfast cereal is a breakfast food made from processed cereal grains. It is traditionally eaten as part of breakfast, or a snack food, primarily in Western societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genetically modified food</span> Foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA

Genetically modified foods, also known as genetically engineered foods, or bioengineered foods are foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA using various methods of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering techniques allow for the introduction of new traits as well as greater control over traits when compared to previous methods, such as selective breeding and mutation breeding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kashi (company)</span> Food manufacturer

Kashi is a maker of whole grain cereals and other plant-based foods sourced from regular farming practices. Founded in San Diego in 1981, the company became a subsidiary of Kellogg's in 2000, and produces about 100 products sold in the U.S. and Canada. Its original cereal, discontinued in 2021, was identified by the tagline "Seven Whole Grains on a Mission". The name "Kashi" is a blended term derived from "kashruth", meaning kosher or pure food, and "Kushi", the last name of the founder of American macrobiotics, Michio Kushi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gluten-free diet</span> Diet excluding proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye

A gluten-free diet (GFD) is a nutritional plan that strictly excludes gluten, which is a mixture of prolamin proteins found in wheat, as well as barley, rye, and oats. The inclusion of oats in a gluten-free diet remains controversial, and may depend on the oat cultivar and the frequent cross-contamination with other gluten-containing cereals.

Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a U.S.-based international organic certification company that is authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "a USDA-accredited certifying agent that operates globally to certify organic operations to National Organic Program standards." It is a for-profit corporation, established in 1989, and headquartered in San Diego, California. It is one of the world's largest certifiers, operating in the United States, Canada, Latin America, European Union, and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whole grain</span> Cereal containing endosperm, germ, and bran

A whole grain is a grain of any cereal and pseudocereal that contains the endosperm, germ, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silk (brand)</span> American brand of dairy substitute products

Silk is an American brand of dairy-substitute products currently owned by Danone after it purchased WhiteWave Foods in 2016.

Food politics is a term which encompasses not only food policy and legislation, but all aspects of the production, control, regulation, inspection, distribution and consumption of commercially grown, and even sometimes home grown, food. The commercial aspects of food production are affected by ethical, cultural, and health concerns, as well as environmental concerns about farming and agricultural practices and retailing methods. The term also encompasses biofuels, GMO crops and pesticide use, the international food market, food aid, food security and food sovereignty, obesity, labor practices and immigrant workers, issues of water usage, animal cruelty, and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Tilth</span>

Oregon Tilth is an American nonprofit membership organization advocating organic food and farming, based in Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon Tilth's purpose is to educate gardeners, farmers, legislators, and the general public about sustainable growing practices that promote soil health, conserve natural resources, and prevent environmental degradation while producing a clean and healthful food supply. Chris Schreiner is the executive director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob's Red Mill</span> Brand of whole-grain foods

Bob's Red Mill is an American brand of whole-grain food marketed by employee-owned American company Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon. The company was established in 1978 by Bob and Charlee Moore.

Eden Foods, Inc., is an organic food company based in Clinton, Michigan. It is best known for its Edensoy line of organic soy milk, and its line of organic Japanese foods and condiments. The company claims to be the oldest independent organic food producer in the United States, and the largest supplier of organic dry grocery items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Non-GMO Project</span> Non-profit organization

The Non-GMO Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focusing on genetically modified organisms. The organization began as an initiative of independent natural foods retailers in the U.S. and Canada, with the stated aim to label products produced in compliance with their Non-GMO Project Standard, which aims to prevent genetically modified foodstuffs from being present in retail food products. The organization is headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. The Non-GMO label began use in 2012 with Numi Organic Tea products.

Genetically modified wheat is wheat that has been genetically engineered by the direct manipulation of its genome using biotechnology. As of 2020, no genetically-modified wheat is grown commercially, although many field tests have been conducted. One wheat variety, Bioceres HB4 Wheat, is obtaining regulatory approval from the government of Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arran Stephens</span> Canadian businessman

Arran Blackburn Stephens is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is co-founder of Nature's Path, a leading manufacturer of organic foods. He is regarded as a pioneer in the food industry and has received numerous acknowledgments for his work promoting sustainable agriculture, organics, and opposition to genetic food modification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 California Proposition 37</span> Rejected GMO law

Proposition 37 was a California ballot measure rejected in California at the statewide election on November 6, 2012. This initiative statute would have required labeling of genetically engineered food, with some exceptions. It would have disallowed the practice of labeling genetically engineered food with the word "natural." This proposition was one of the main concerns by the organizers of the March Against Monsanto in May 2013.

William R. Davis is a Milwaukee-based American cardiologist, low-carbohydrate diet advocate and author of health books known for his stance against "modern wheat", which he labels a "perfect, chronic poison."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Duck Organics</span>

Little Duck Organics is a US based privately held company, that produces certified baby and toddler organic food, sold in 10,000 groceries and retail stores. Founded in 2009 by Zak Normandin, Little Duck Organics has manufacturing location facilities in the United States and sales in more than 30 countries. The company is focused on speciality baby food and won the Most Innovative Award from Natural Products Expo West 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratana Stephens</span> Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist

Ratana Stephens is a Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is co-founder of Nature's Path, a leading manufacturer of organic foods. She has received numerous acknowledgements for her philanthropy and leadership in business.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Heimbuch, Jaymi (2008-10-31). "Arran Stephens of Nature's Path on Independence in the Fast-Consolidating Food Industry". TreeHugger. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  2. "Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability News: Nature's Path: A Quirkily Beautiful Shift Towards Sustainable Branding". Enn.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  3. "BC's Top Employers". Canadastop100.com. 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  4. "Pioneers of organic processing — Oregon Tilth". Tilth.org. Archived from the original on 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  5. Chan, Kenneth (12 September 2018). "Nature's Path Foods' moving headquarters to Vancouver". Daily Hive Vancouver. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  6. Clark, Leilani (2015-01-28). "Growing Organic Cereal From the Ground Up". Civil Eats. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  7. "Nature's Path Gardens for Good". Organic Gardening. Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  8. "How Magic Markers Are Messing Up Our Food System". Commondreams.org. 2001-06-20. Archived from the original on 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  9. 1 2 "Nature's Path Supports Mandatory GMO Labeling". The Gourmet Retailer. Dec 7, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "Verified Products". The Non-GMO Project. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  11. "Nature's Path Presents 'GMO OMG'". Progressive Grocer. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2016-02-25.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. "Uneasy Allies in the Grocery Aisle". The New York Times . September 13, 2012.
  13. "Dag Falck". The Non-GMO Project. Archived from the original on 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  14. ReLove Plan.et (2011-02-09). "♥☺ ReLove Plan.et ☺♥: Ⓥ Vegan Kitchen: Nature's Path Cereal Ⓥ". Reloveplanet.com. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  15. Acosta, Rosie (2012-08-23). "Top 5 Gluten-Free Foods | Fox News Latino". Latino.foxnews.com. Retrieved 2013-04-02.