SunOpta is a leader in sustainable food and beverage production. With a portfolio of OU Kosher-certified brands—Sown, Dream, and Westlife—as well as private label and co-manufacturing capabilities, the company has positioned itself as a key player in the natural and organic food industry. In addition to its commitment to sustainability and quality, SunOpta has worked closely with the Orthodox Union (OU) to develop an efficient kosher certification process. The OU Kosher RC, Rabbi Binyamin Glick, noted SunOpta’s proactive approach, using OU’s customer portal to streamline compliance and ensure a seamless certification program. Regular collaboration with OU Kosher allows for quick adaptation to new production lines, facilities, and ingredient sourcing. 

Lauren McNamara, Senior Vice President of Business Management, shares insights into SunOpta’s approach to innovation, quality, and kosher certification. 

Q: Can you give us an overview of SunOpta’s business and what sets it apart in the industry? 

Lauren McNamara: SunOpta is a food and beverage company focused on sustainability and innovation. Our primary business areas are aseptic (shelf stable) organic plant-based beverages, broths, teas, nutritional beverages and fruit snacks made with real fruit. We’re unique in that we do more than just manufacture our own brands—we are also a trusted co-manufacturer and private label producer for major retailers and food brands. Our expertise in plant-based products, particularly in oat milk and creamers, has allowed us to create high-quality, differentiated offerings in the market. 

Developing and Acquiring Brands 

Q: SunOpta owns several brands. Were these developed in-house, or were they acquired? 

Lauren McNamara: A mix of both. We created Sown from the ground up—it’s our line of organic oat creamers and cold foaming creams. We saw a gap in the market for organic oat-based creamers, especially since many plant-based consumers also prefer organic options. Given our experience in plant-based milk and coffee applications, it made sense to fill this need. 

On the acquisition side, we own the Dream and West Life brands, which we had already been manufacturing for decades. These brands were originally part of Hain Celestial, and when they decided to divest, we stepped in because they aligned perfectly with our portfolio and mission. It felt like a natural fit since we had already been heavily involved in their R&D and production. 

“Even for people who don’t keep kosher, it’s a symbol of quality.
It’s another vote of confidence that our products meet stringent standards.” 

Q: How does SunOpta balance innovation and product quality, especially with its R&D capabilities? 

Lauren McNamara: Innovation is central to what we do. We have an in-house Innovation Center with a pilot plant where our R&D team develops and refines formulas. This setup allows us to experiment, tweak, and optimize products before scaling them for full production. 

One of our key areas of focus is creating plant-based products that perform well in real-life applications. Our barista series of plant-based milks was developed in response to the growing demand for plant-based options in coffee shops. Regular plant-based milks don’t always froth or mix well with coffee due to acidity levels, so we invested in making sure our barista blends work just like traditional dairy. 

Helping Retailers Develop Custom Products 

Q: Private label and co-manufacturing are significant parts of your business. How does that process work? 

Lauren McNamara: Retailers and food brands partner with us because they rely on our expertise in formulation, production, and quality control. When a retailer wants a private label product—let’s say an oat creamer—they come to us with a design brief outlining their needs. This might include nutritional goals, ingredient restrictions, or specific flavors they want. 

Our R&D team then develops formulations, and the retailer comes to our Innovation Center to taste and refine the product. It’s a collaborative process that ensures they get exactly what they want while leveraging our manufacturing capabilities. 

“Retailers can’t be experts in every product category—that’s why they partner with manufacturers like us.” 

Q: How does kosher certification fit into your operations? 

Lauren McNamara: Kosher certification is an important part of our business. All of our brands are kosher certified, and we work closely with customers who want to ensure their private label products meet kosher standards. We collaborate with rabbis who certify our production lines, ensuring compliance with all necessary requirements. 

For our plant-based products, the certification process is fairly straightforward, but for some of our other product lines—like our private-label broth business, which includes chicken and beef-based broths—it requires closer coordination with kosher certifying agencies. Since broths involve meat-based ingredients, we work hand in hand with kosher supervisors to ensure compliance with all necessary regulations. Our teams follow strict protocols to maintain kosher integrity throughout the entire production process, from ingredient sourcing to final packaging. 

A Commitment to Environmental Responsibility 

Q: Can you speak to the organizational culture at SunOpta? How does sustainability and quality factor into your company ethos? 

Lauren McNamara: Absolutely. Our culture is deeply rooted in sustainability and quality, and that mindset permeates every function of the business. Everyone here is committed to making food and beverages that are not only delicious but also responsibly sourced and produced. 

For example, our procurement team visits the farms where our ingredients are grown to ensure ethical sourcing. Our logistics team is constantly optimizing routes to minimize our carbon footprint. We also invest in sustainable packaging solutions and prioritize waste reduction in our facilities. 

It’s a shared mission across the company—we’re not just manufacturing food and beverages; we’re working towards a more sustainable future. Our employees take pride in that, and it’s a big part of why people choose to work at SunOpta. 

Q: How does SunOpta handle distribution and ensure product consistency? 

Lauren McNamara: Our brands are produced in our Minnesota facility, which allows us to maintain strict quality control while ensuring efficient distribution. From there, our products are shipped nationwide, and we also sell them on Amazon, making them accessible to a broad audience. While our distribution is currently focused on the U.S., we are always exploring new opportunities for expansion, including international markets. 

Ensuring product consistency is crucial, especially as we scale. Our manufacturing processes follow rigorous quality control protocols to ensure that every batch meets our high standards. We also work closely with our supply chain partners to maintain ingredient integrity and consistency across all our product lines. 

New Product Launches and Expansion 

Q: What’s next for SunOpta? Are there any product launches or new facilities on the horizon? 

Lauren McNamara: We recently launched the Sown Cold Foaming Creamer, which is designed for use in cold coffee drinks. With the popularity of at-home specialty coffee-making, we saw an opportunity to create a product that allows consumers to make coffeehouse-style cold foam at home. This launch is just starting to roll out, and we’re excited to see how it performs. 

In terms of expansion, our newest manufacturing plant in Texas opened two years ago, and we’re always evaluating where else we might grow. The demand for plant-based products continues to rise, and we want to make sure we’re well-positioned to meet that demand. 

“Innovation isn’t just about new products—it’s about making sure they meet real consumer needs.” 

Q: What would you like food manufacturers considering SunOpta as a co-manufacturer to know? 

Lauren McNamara: Quality, safety, and certifications are main considerations when choosing a manufacturing partner. We take food safety and quality incredibly seriously. We work to make sure everything we produce meets the highest standards. And the ability to accommodate multiple dietary certifications—including kosher—is a big advantage for companies looking to reach the broadest possible audience. 

We’re proud of the work we do and the partnerships we’ve built, and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality, innovative food and beverage solutions. 

https://www.sunopta.com/