SunOpta has been a relentless innovator for 45 years, owning and managing over 50 businesses to enhance sustainability. Since 2000, we have been solely focused on the manufacture and sale of organic food, with a focus on plant-based food and beverage.
1973
Founded as Stake Technology LTD, a company intent on capitalizing on proprietary steam explosion technology to convert biomass into feedstock by pulverizing trees to extract the cellulose thereby using trees to feed animals instead of “people food” like corn and soy.
1999
Acquired Sunrich, an organic corn and soy business. Sunrich was founded in Hope, Minnesota by soy farmers and was one of the pioneers of the soymilk and organic, non-GMO grain industries in North America.
2000
Pivoted to focus on organic food and began the process of divesting all non-food assets.
2000-2015
Completed 37 total acquisitions of food and beverage businesses including:
- Nordic Aseptic, now our Alexandria plant-based beverage facility
- Pacific Fruit Processors, now our Fruit Ingredients platform located in South Gate, CA
- Modesto Aseptic Processing Facility, now our plant-based beverage facility located in Modesto, CA
- Sunrise Growers, now a key part of our healthy fruit platform
2001
Listed on Toronto Stock Exchange (SOY).
2003
Name changed to SunOpta due to the company’s effort to Optimize what the Sun Grows.
2018
Entered oatmilk business at our 3rd Avenue Facility in Alexandria, MN to help fuel the growing consumption of plant-based products.
2019
Joe Ennen named CEO; Divested specialty corn & soy business to Pipeline Foods.
2020
Completed construction on new oatmilk processing facility; launched first consumer brand arbor Bar; divested Tradin Organic to allow further focus on plant-based growth.
2021 and Beyond
As we look to the future, we can’t wait to continue our journey Fueling the Future of Food™.
