Nature’s Path Buys 2,240 Acres Of Organic Farmland, Partners With Local Organic Farmers
Nature’s Path Buys 2,240 Acres Of Organic Farmland, Partners With Local Organic Farmers
Efforts Help Increase Organic Cropland and Maintain Sustainable Family Farms
Richmond, BC – The organic food industry has seen an explosion in consumer demand over the past few years, rising more than 20 percent annually and making up three percent of the overall food market. And though the amount of organic farmland is also growing, it is at a much slower rate – only a half percenti. of all farmland in North America is dedicated to organic crops.
To help ensure there is organic farmland for future generations of both consumers and farmers, along with a growing supply of organic grains, Nature’s Path, North America’s number one organic cereal brand, has begun to work with farmers to help increase organic acreage. Nature’s Path has partnered with two committed, organic farmers-both located on separate farms in Western Saskatchewan, Canada to expand their farms and grow more organic crops.
“We have the utmost respect for organic farmers and are truly dedicated to assisting them,” said Arran Stephens, Founder and CEO of Nature’s Path. “So rather than purchasing and farming our own land and competing with these great farmers, we decided to team up with them to achieve a win-win for everyone: the farmers, Nature’s Path and the organic consumer.”
Through the partnership, Nature’s Path has selected two experienced organic farmers and purchased 7 quarter sections (1,120 acres) adjacent to each of their farms, adding size to the family farms and allowing them to remain sustainable through the partnership.
There is no financial outlay for the farmer – Nature’s Path owns the land and a portion of the value of the crop. The farmer purchases the seeds, farms the land and owns the majority of the value of the crop. Nature’s Path is able to utilize the crops grown on their land if they are used in their products.
“This approach strengthens our support of, and connection with, the organic farmers in our supply chain, a group we are committed to,” said Dag Falck, Organic Program Manager at Nature’s Path. “It not only helps to ensure the transition of more organic farmland, but allows us to aid in the revitalization of rural communities and family farms. We are excited to refine this model throughout the coming year and expand it to other areas in the future, including the U.S.”
This model helps to increase the amount of organic farmland and goods quickly and effectively under the care of dedicated organic farmers. The alternative option, transitioning non-organic farmers into the organic management system, takes longer. However Nature’s Path is also working to encourage this transition though education, support and consultation. Falck works with industry groups such as the Canadian Organic Growers and the Organic Trade Association on transition assistance programs and regularly speaks to organic and non-organic farmers to offer resources and expertise.
ABOUT NATURES PATH
Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs over 350 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. The privately held, family-owned company produces organic breakfast foods, toaster pastries, granola bars and frozen waffles sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in 40 countries around the world. The company’s innovative brands include Nature’s Path®, Flax Plus®, Hemp Plus®, EnviroKidz® and Optimum®.
i. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2005
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Editors’ note: Nature’s Path believes that sustainability is where our future lies as a people, a society and a company and we endeavor to minimize our ecological footprint while striving to maintain social, environmental and financial integrity. This means that as a company we do our best to create systems that reduce the unnecessary use of resources. Thus most of the communication you receive from us will be electronic, but we are happy to send anything you request in hard copy form as well.