SunOpta reported strong progress across four areas – products, planet, people and governance – as it seeks to double plant-based business by 2025
Sustainable food and beverage company achieved zero waste to landfill at three plant-based facilities
MINNEAPOLIS—April 25, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, is proud to release its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. This annual update outlines progress made in the 2021 fiscal year, and the steps the company is taking to identify a path forward across four key areas: products, planet, people and governance.
In 2020, SunOpta committed to reduce electricity by 40%, natural gas by 30% and water use by 25% over an eight-year period. The company in 2021 achieved zero waste at three plant-based beverage manufacturing facilities and enlisted internal staff and external consultants to track energy reduction goals. SunOpta seeks to double its plant-based business from 2020 to 2025, and will create real change responsibly, while transparently sharing ESG efforts.
“SunOpta was founded as a sustainable company and sustainability has always been at the core of what we do. We have created actionable next steps and a clear path forward to continue on our journey,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “In addition to being a global pioneer in the sustainable categories of plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage and reducing our carbon footprint with less water, land and emissions compared to dairy-based alternatives, we are also making progress on other initiatives including upcycled ingredients, zero waste and local and regional production as we continue to fuel the future of food.”
Highlights from the 2021 report include:
- Products
- 44 of SunOpta’s branded products are enrolled in The Non-GMO Project.
- SunOpta manufactures more than 300 organic products, including 29 of its own branded products.
- Due to its close proximity to customers across North America, SunOpta’s fourth plant-based production facility in Midlothian, Texas will help eliminate an estimated 15 million freight miles annually, reducing carbon emissions.
- Planet
- Three facilities achieved zero waste to landfill in Allentown, Pa. and Alexandria, Minn.
- 7% of all packaging by weight sourced by SunOpta was recyclable.
- 25 tons of carbon emissions were saved by optimizing transportation.
- SunOpta improved energy efficiency by 6% compared to its 2019 baseline.
- SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center utilizes 13,000 square feet of renewable bamboo flooring, 920 LED light fixtures and four electric vehicle charging stations; solar panels will offset more than 30% of electricity once operational.
- People
- The percentage of female leaders at the director level and above rose to 37%, with a goal of 45% by 2025.
- The percentage of racially diverse salaried employees was 24% in 2021, with a goal of 30% by 2026.
- Governance
- 33% of SunOpta’s Board of Director members are female.
- For accountability on sustainability practices, SunOpta created a Sustainability Steering Committee to gather and analyze data and explore opportunities for ESG improvements.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
Global pioneer upsizes with a focus on innovation to fuel its growth ambitions, seeks to double its plant-based business from 2020 to 2025
Proudly calls Eden Prairie, Minn. home
MINNEAPOLIS—April 4, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot global headquarters and eco-powered innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minn.
SunOpta’s new home was designed to accelerate the speed of innovation, foster collaboration and model the company’s sustainability heritage to positively impact people and the planet. The space, featuring a pilot plant and a research and development center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories.
The sustainably-designed, eco-friendly workplace is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
“Our growth ambitions required this move. We’ve grown our plant-based business by more than $100 million over the last two years through a focus on innovation and new customer development, and we expect this pace of growth to continue,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “This new facility, with a full-scale pilot plant and a huge expansion of the research and development space, will allow us to aggressively develop new products and new customers.”
SunOpta hired Minneapolis firms RSP Architects and Greiner Construction to lead the building’s design and construction, respectively. Both companies brought SunOpta’s passion for sustainability to life throughout the innovative, collaborative space.
“SunOpta’s well-established green initiatives allowed us the opportunity to create a very sustainably-conscious design for their eco-friendly work environment,” said Derek McCallum, design principal of RSP Architects. “The building is utilizing so many sustainable best practices, including layering landscape both inside and out as well as generating more than 30% of its electricity needs from a large solar array.”
Additional features of the new SunOpta headquarters and innovation center include:
The new center was not only built to create a sense of community and collaboration with current employees, but also to attract top industry talent. SunOpta has a global workforce of more than 1,400 employees across 14 locations in three North American countries, including more than 150 at its new location.
“Collaboration and innovation go hand in hand,” continued Ennen. “While other companies are downsizing their office spaces, SunOpta is upsizing to achieve our growth ambitions by encouraging problem-solving and innovation in person. It is a simple but effective approach: build the right environment, hire the best and brightest minds and empower them to make an impact. This new space combined with our flexible approach to hybrid working brings us together to sustain innovation.”
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center is located at 7078 Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minn. For more information on SunOpta and to view open positions, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
Proudly calls Eden Prairie, Minn. home
MINNEAPOLIS—April 4, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today unveiled its new 65,000 square-foot global headquarters and eco-powered innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minn.
SunOpta’s new home was designed to accelerate the speed of innovation, foster collaboration and model the company’s sustainability heritage to positively impact people and the planet. The space, featuring a pilot plant and a research and development center eight times the size of its previous location, will further expand co-manufacturing, private label, ingredient and branded product offerings across all categories.
The sustainably-designed, eco-friendly workplace is a key investment to achieving strategic business and growth goals, including doubling the plant-based business by 2025.
“Our growth ambitions required this move. We’ve grown our plant-based business by more than $100 million over the last two years through a focus on innovation and new customer development, and we expect this pace of growth to continue,” said Joe Ennen, CEO, SunOpta. “This new facility, with a full-scale pilot plant and a huge expansion of the research and development space, will allow us to aggressively develop new products and new customers.”
SunOpta hired Minneapolis firms RSP Architects and Greiner Construction to lead the building’s design and construction, respectively. Both companies brought SunOpta’s passion for sustainability to life throughout the innovative, collaborative space.
“SunOpta’s well-established green initiatives allowed us the opportunity to create a very sustainably-conscious design for their eco-friendly work environment,” said Derek McCallum, design principal of RSP Architects. “The building is utilizing so many sustainable best practices, including layering landscape both inside and out as well as generating more than 30% of its electricity needs from a large solar array.”
Additional features of the new SunOpta headquarters and innovation center include:
- Nearly 13,000 square feet of renewable bamboo flooring and 920 LED light fixtures
- 630 plantings, six indoor trees, a living plant wall and six skylights to bring in nature
- Replicas of customer barista bars for accurate research and development
- Employee amenities to inspire teamwork, including integrated office technology for hybrid meetings and a fitness studio with classes taught by employees
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Coming this spring:
- 36,000 square-feet of solar paneling (743 panels)
- Outdoor amenities, including: five outdoor garden planters for employees to grow organic produce, grills, a spacious deck with pergolas
The new center was not only built to create a sense of community and collaboration with current employees, but also to attract top industry talent. SunOpta has a global workforce of more than 1,400 employees across 14 locations in three North American countries, including more than 150 at its new location.
“Collaboration and innovation go hand in hand,” continued Ennen. “While other companies are downsizing their office spaces, SunOpta is upsizing to achieve our growth ambitions by encouraging problem-solving and innovation in person. It is a simple but effective approach: build the right environment, hire the best and brightest minds and empower them to make an impact. This new space combined with our flexible approach to hybrid working brings us together to sustain innovation.”
SunOpta’s new headquarters and innovation center is located at 7078 Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minn. For more information on SunOpta and to view open positions, visit sunopta.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SunOpta Presents Reimagined Dream™ and Rebranding of Westsoy to West Life™
SunOpta introduces Dream™ Organic “Whole” and “2% Fat” Ricemilk and West Life™ 16g Protein Smoothie Blends; Rebrands legacy plant-based beverage trailblazers
MINNEAPOLIS—March 10, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today introduced new products and rebranding efforts and for legacy plant-based beverage brands Dream™ and Westsoy, now known as West Life™. Dream Organic “Whole” and “2% Fat” Ricemilk and West Life 16g Protein Smoothie Blends will debut at retailers nationwide this fall.
“The Dream and Westsoy brands were pioneers that brought incredible growth to the plant-based movement in the 1990s,” said Mike Buick, general manager, SunOpta. “It was time to accelerate innovation with new products in the category, for which these trailblazers were originally known, and reinvigorate and reposition these brands for today’s consumer.”
New Category Innovations
Dream and Westsoy have each been around for more than three decades, giving SunOpta the chance to innovate and launch new plant-based beverage products based on the unique strengths of their bases.
The new Dream innovations -- Dream Organic “2% Fat” Ricemilk and Dream Organic “Whole” Ricemilk -- capitalize on the smooth, creamy mouthfeel and texture of ricemilk, considered to be most similar to dairy milk. “2% Fat” contains five grams of fat per serving and is best for everyday use. “Whole” contains 8 grams of fat per serving and is ideal for cooking, baking, drinking and smoothies. Both variations are lactose and dairy free, certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified gluten free and contain five key nutrients found in dairy: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. The 32-fluid ounce, shelf-stable offerings have an MSRP of $4.29.
The West Life 16g Protein Smoothie Blend seeks to innovate around one of the top uses for plant-based beverages, smoothies. This new product is specially designed for smoothies, with naturally high plant-based protein from soy. Just eight ounces of the product offers more protein than a scoop of the leading powdered, plant-based protein, and eliminates the dusty, clumpy residual mess in the blender. Both flavors, Unsweetened Plain and Chocolate, will be available in 32-fluid ounce for an MSRP of $5.69. The varieties are perfect for a smoothie or cereal, or delicious to drink on their own. In addition to 16 grams of complete protein per serving, the product is lactose and dairy free, contains nine essential amino acids and is a good source of six different vitamins and minerals.
Consumer-First Rebrands
As new owners of both brands, SunOpta realized it was time to update the traditional branding of both product lines and confirmed its rationale with detailed consumer research.
Dream’s rebrand channels the dairy milk-like texture and taste of ricemilk to give consumers the perfect plant based milk and dream of a world without compromise. Dream is the second most-popular shelf-stable, plant-based beverage, best known for its ricemilk. The new package’s symbol of a glass with wings represents the emotional component of the brand’s name and the iconic milk bottle is inspired by consumer feedback to the superpower taste and texture of ricemilk. Illustrations of rice grains on the packaging celebrate the beverage’s base ingredient.
Westsoy’s rebrand included the updated name, West Life, and taps into the concept of fuel to highlight soy’s protein benefits, a top reason consumers buy plant-based beverages based on SunOpta’s research. Westsoy is a shelf-stable soy beverage with USDA organic certification and the American Heart Association certification of a heart-healthy product, boasting eight to nine grams of protein per cup. The core of the rebrand is West, a direction and a state of mind celebrating protein powered adventure that the West has always symbolized. The updated packaging spotlights the protein content and the new logo conveys a destination and still features the famous Westsoy heart icon.
SunOpta seized the opportunity in April 2021 to acquire both pioneers to boost innovation and add to its owned product portfolio. The move will also contribute to SunOpta’s trajectory to double its plant-based business in less than five years.
SunOpta will be showcasing the rebrands and sampling Dream and West Life, among other products, at booth #770 at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. from March 10 to 12. Visit the websites for Dream and West Life for more information. To learn more about SunOpta, visit sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. For nearly 50 years, SunOpta has manufactured natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN, Dream, West Life and Sunrise Growers. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Horton
simmerpublicrelations@gmail.com
(207) 838-0084
SunOpta Presents Reimagined Dream™ and Rebranding of Westsoy to West Life™
SunOpta introduces Dream™ Organic “Whole” and “2% Fat” Ricemilk and West Life™ 16g Protein Smoothie Blends; Rebrands legacy plant-based beverage trailblazers
MINNEAPOLIS—March 10, 2022—SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, today introduced new products and rebranding efforts and for legacy plant-based beverage brands Dream™ and Westsoy, now known as West Life™. Dream Organic “Whole” and “2% Fat” Ricemilk and West Life 16g Protein Smoothie Blends will debut at retailers nationwide this fall.
“The Dream and Westsoy brands were pioneers that brought incredible growth to the plant-based movement in the 1990s,” said Mike Buick, general manager, SunOpta. “It was time to accelerate innovation with new products in the category, for which these trailblazers were originally known, and reinvigorate and reposition these brands for today’s consumer.”
New Category Innovations
Dream and Westsoy have each been around for more than three decades, giving SunOpta the chance to innovate and launch new plant-based beverage products based on the unique strengths of their bases.
The new Dream innovations -- Dream Organic “2% Fat” Ricemilk and Dream Organic “Whole” Ricemilk -- capitalize on the smooth, creamy mouthfeel and texture of ricemilk, considered to be most similar to dairy milk. “2% Fat” contains five grams of fat per serving and is best for everyday use. “Whole” contains 8 grams of fat per serving and is ideal for cooking, baking, drinking and smoothies. Both variations are lactose and dairy free, certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified gluten free and contain five key nutrients found in dairy: calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. The 32-fluid ounce, shelf-stable offerings have an MSRP of $4.29.
The West Life 16g Protein Smoothie Blend seeks to innovate around one of the top uses for plant-based beverages, smoothies. This new product is specially designed for smoothies, with naturally high plant-based protein from soy. Just eight ounces of the product offers more protein than a scoop of the leading powdered, plant-based protein, and eliminates the dusty, clumpy residual mess in the blender. Both flavors, Unsweetened Plain and Chocolate, will be available in 32-fluid ounce for an MSRP of $5.69. The varieties are perfect for a smoothie or cereal, or delicious to drink on their own. In addition to 16 grams of complete protein per serving, the product is lactose and dairy free, contains nine essential amino acids and is a good source of six different vitamins and minerals.
Consumer-First Rebrands
As new owners of both brands, SunOpta realized it was time to update the traditional branding of both product lines and confirmed its rationale with detailed consumer research.
Dream’s rebrand channels the dairy milk-like texture and taste of ricemilk to give consumers the perfect plant based milk and dream of a world without compromise. Dream is the second most-popular shelf-stable, plant-based beverage, best known for its ricemilk. The new package’s symbol of a glass with wings represents the emotional component of the brand’s name and the iconic milk bottle is inspired by consumer feedback to the superpower taste and texture of ricemilk. Illustrations of rice grains on the packaging celebrate the beverage’s base ingredient.
Westsoy’s rebrand included the updated name, West Life, and taps into the concept of fuel to highlight soy’s protein benefits, a top reason consumers buy plant-based beverages based on SunOpta’s research. Westsoy is a shelf-stable soy beverage with USDA organic certification and the American Heart Association certification of a heart-healthy product, boasting eight to nine grams of protein per cup. The core of the rebrand is West, a direction and a state of mind celebrating protein powered adventure that the West has always symbolized. The updated packaging spotlights the protein content and the new logo conveys a destination and still features the famous Westsoy heart icon.
SunOpta seized the opportunity in April 2021 to acquire both pioneers to boost innovation and add to its owned product portfolio. The move will also contribute to SunOpta’s trajectory to double its plant-based business in less than five years.
SunOpta will be showcasing the rebrands and sampling Dream and West Life, among other products, at booth #770 at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. from March 10 to 12. Visit the websites for Dream and West Life for more information. To learn more about SunOpta, visit sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
About SunOpta, Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. For nearly 50 years, SunOpta has manufactured natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN, Dream, West Life and Sunrise Growers. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Horton
simmerpublicrelations@gmail.com
(207) 838-0084