Nature's Path

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. All of its products are vegetarian and certified organic. Nature's Path is a triple bottom line social enterprise, and has been recognized for incorporating the notion of sustainability into its business practices through its support of various charitable and eco-friendly initiatives. The company is regularly named one of Canada's best employers.

History
The company was started by Arran Stephens and Ratana Stephens in 1985 in British Columbia, Canada and the first product was Manna Bread. The Stephens' son, Arjan, and daughters, Jyoti and Gurdeep, currently work at Nature’s Path. Prior to opening Nature’s Path, Arran Stephens opened Canada’s first large organic supermarket in 1971, called Lifestream, and sold a successful line of natural products. Lifestream was sold to Kraft in 1981, but bought back by Stephens in 1995. Nature’s Path employs approximately 350 people at its three facilities in Canada and the United States.

Awards
Nature’s Path has been voted amongst Canada’s Best 50 Employers in Canada in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012, and among Canada’s Greenest Employers in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Environmental sustainability
In 2008, the company purchased 2,240 acres of organic farmland in Saskatchewan that it crop shares with family farmers. Nature’s Path serves as an outlet/processor for many independent organic family farmers representing approximately 100,000 organic acres. Nature’s Path has been a staunch opponent of GMO proliferation since 2001, and founder Arran Stephens was an early supporter and board member of the Non-GMO Project. Nature’s Path products are tested to bear the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal. The brand sponsored the Right2Know GMO March in 2011, and was active in supporting the failed Proposition 37, previously the California Right to Know ballot initiative, for mandatory GMO labeling in California by contributing $600,000, plus time and support.

Products
The company’s organic products are sold under the Nature’s Path®, Flax Plus®, EnviroKidz®, and Optimum® brand names in grocery and specialty foods stores in over 42 countries worldwide.

All Nature’s Path products are certified organic and vegetarian, many are vegan and a large number are gluten free.