SunOpta (NASDAQ:STKL) is a diversified natural and organic food and beverage company that specializes in plant-based foods, beverage systems, and specialty ingredients. Operating through two core segments—Plant-Based Foods & Beverages and Fruit-Based Foods & Beverages—SunOpta develops and manufactures a wide range of non-dairy alternatives such as almond, soy, oat and other plant-based milks. In addition to beverages, the company produces plant-based yogurts, creamers, frozen fruit products, and functional ingredients including seeds, grains and pulses, catering to retail, foodservice, and ingredient customers worldwide.
Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SunOpta traces its roots back to 1973 when it was founded as Stake Technology Limited. Over the past four decades, the company has expanded its footprint across North America, Europe and Asia through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. Its vertically integrated supply chain encompasses sourcing of raw organic and non-GMO crops, in-house manufacturing facilities with specialized aseptic and cold-chain capabilities, and relationships with farmers and co-packers. This integrated model allows SunOpta to maintain quality control from field to finished product while responding to evolving consumer trends in health, sustainability and convenience.
SunOpta’s leadership team is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Ennen, who joined the company’s board in 2018 and took on the CEO role in 2019. Under his guidance, SunOpta has pursued digitalization initiatives to optimize operations and strengthen food safety protocols. The company’s board of directors comprises seasoned executives with backgrounds in agriculture, food and beverage, and consumer products industries. SunOpta continues to invest in innovation, sustainability and responsible sourcing, emphasizing traceability and transparency across its product lines to meet growing demand for clean-label and environmentally friendly food solutions.
