When Arran and Ratana Stephens opened one of the first natural foods stores in Canada’s Pacific Northwest, they could hardly have anticipated the ultimate success of the venture.  Lifestream, as the store was known, began creating its own products in 1971, making its organic debut with stone-ground whole-wheat flour.  The business was just a glimpse of things to come for Nature’s Path.  In 1980, nine years after it was founded, Lifestream’s sales totaled $9 million.  Its diverse line at that time included pastries, energy bars, organic juice, cold-pressed oils, vegetarian entrees, and more.  In 1981 Mr. Stephens parted with the Lifestream brand, when it was purchased by Kraft.  The split was temporary, however, as today Lifestream is once again a brand owned by Stephens under the canopy of Nature’s Path.

Nature’s Path got its official beginning in 1985, when the Stephens family baked its first product, Manna Bread, and designed and built a cereal factory in Delta, British Columbia to accommodate their dreams.  The choice they made was especially daunting after the sale of Lifestream, but Arran and Ratana beat the odds when Nature’s Path products began to take off.  The company launched its first line of cereals three years later with Multigrain, Multigrain ‘n Raisin, and Millet Rice cereals, which are all still sold today.  After developing best-selling cereals, such as Heritage Flakes, the company expanded its production facilities to the United States, where company headquarters is now located.  Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., has become the number one selling certified USDA Organic breakfast cereal in U.S. natural food supermarkets.

A Heart for the Earth

Nature’s Path executives don’t sweet-talk too much:  They know the ins and outs of business and the importance of getting a return on their investment.  But company success has always been enjoyed as a result of caring for the earth and a commitment to sustaining its resources.  Producing foods that are whole, healthful, and organic, the company’s values reflect those of company founder Stephens, who advocates for physical and spiritual wellness, as well as a love and respect of the earth.  Stephens’s father, a fruit farmer, set the example for Arran and Nature’s Path when he advised, “Always leave the earth better than you found it.”  It’s something the company implements with enthusiasm today.

For Nature’s Path, treating the earth with care means offering organic products.  The company website, at naturespath.com, educates consumers about the meaning of organic for both the land and the individual.  Nature’s Path points out that while organic foods benefit consumers, organic farming also benefits the environment by improving the fertility of the soil and protecting natural resources.  Stephens holds Nature’s Path to environmental standards he would like the entire food industry to adhere to.  “If we get together on this,” Stephens concludes, “we really can change the world one bite at a time.”

An Inner Harmony

It’s not a coincidence that breakfast, known as the most important meal of the day, is a Nature’s Path specialty.  The company points out that a person eating breakfast regularly will consume more calcium and fiber and less fat, and that whole grain cereals, such as those made by Nature’s Path, are credited with delivering phytonutrients and antioxidants.  Nature’s Path understands the importance of the first meal of the day for children as well as adults.  The company website notes studies that indicate kids who eat a daily breakfast have enhanced school performance and improvement in attention and behavior.  Even for adults, a good breakfast will help stay attention and energy as the day wears on. 

The breakfast foods made by Nature’s Path offer whole-grain, low-sodium, high-fiber, organic, and low-fat options for starting the day off right.  For those with a celiac diet, gluten-free cereals, waffles and breakfast bars are available as well.

Nature’s Path foods are full of nutrition, and are developed with holistic health in mind.  When Nature’s Path created its Optimum Zen cereal, the phrase “for inner harmony” seemed an appropriate description.  Optimum Zen includes ingredients like fiber, inulin, and ginger to soothe the intestine and digestive tract.  It’s just one of many cereals the company has created that target a specific area of health and diet.  But have no fear—each product is created with taste in mind as well as nutrition.  With delicious, creative ingredients such as organic honey and raisins, freeze-dried raspberries, or cinnamon and vanilla, each spoonful of cereal is full of zip and light sweetness.

The entire Nature’s Path product line includes hot and cold cereals, Manna breads, waffles, and bars produced under the brand names Lifestream (LIFSTR), Envirokids (ENVKID) as well as Nature’s Path (NATPTH).  See your Prairie News for a complete listing.

Nature’s Path Facts

Did You Know:

Nature’s Path was named one of Canada’s top 100 employers in 2003.

Its production facilities, located in both the U.S. and Canada, total over 200,000 square feet. 

In 2002, Nature’s Path produced 22.9 million pounds of cereal.  This would fill about 29 million boxes, which, when laid end-to-end, would reach from Seattle, WA to Hong Kong!

Nature’s Path Recipes

Organic Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

 1 package of Nature’s Path organic Apple Cinnamon Hot Oatmeal

¾ to 1-cup milk

? cup whole wheat flour

½ tbsp vegetable oil

½ tsp baking powder

Empty contents of Apple Cinnamon oatmeal packet into medium sized bowl, add ½ cup milk, let stand for 10 minutes.

Mix flour and baking powder. Add flour mixture, ¼ cup milk and vegetable oil to oatmeal mixture. Stir until blended, do not over stir. More milk can be added depending on desired consistency. A runnier mixture will make a thinner pancake. Drop 3 tbsp of mixture onto non-stick pan at medium heat. Cook for 1 minute each side. Serve with syrup, fresh fruit or your favorite pancake toppings.

Serves 2, makes 4 large pancakes or 6 small pancakes.

Vegetable Crunch (Corn and Sweet Potato Casserole)

Gluten free

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

1 orange or lemon

1 cup Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise

1 cup Nature’s Path Cornflakes, lightly crushed

1 cup of tinned or frozen corn (cooked)

½ cup onion, chopped

½ green pepper, chopped

1 tbsp butter

1 cup grated medium or strong cheddar cheese

¼ cup parmesan cheese

cracked or ground black pepper

Place sweet potato in a medium saucepan, add water to cover. Place a large strip of the lemon or orange rind (1/2” x 2”) in with potatoes and water. Bring to boil and then simmer until fork tender. Drain water and discard rind. Mash potatoes.

Saute onions and green pepper with butter until tender. Add corn, mashed sweet potatoes and Mesa Sunrise to onion mixture, mix well. Spread in 9x9 greased pan or casserole dish. Spread topping evenly over dish – in this order – Cornflakes, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, black pepper.

Bake at 3500F for 30 minutes or until topping is slightly browned.

For a spicy version add 1 tbsp of finely chopped jalapeno peppers to onion and green pepper mixture and sauté.

Serves 5-6