Nutiva

Nutiva operates as a privately-held food production company specializing in organic, plant-based foods. The company was established in 1999 by John Roulac, a longtime advocate for regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. Roulac’s journey began with a deep respect for nature, fostered during his childhood summers on an island in the Pacific Northwest. This experience shaped his life's work, leading him to found multiple non-profit ecological groups and champion the home-composting movement before starting Nutiva. His venture into the food industry was sparked by an interest in the nutritional and environmental benefits of industrial hemp. He launched Nutiva with an initial offering of 500 hemp seed bars, which he sold from his car.

The company’s business model is centered on selling a portfolio of USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified food products directly to consumers online and through major retailers like Whole Foods Market, Target, and Walmart. Nutiva's revenue is generated from the sale of these goods, with a reported annual revenue of approximately $26.4 million. A core component of its financial strategy involves dedicating 1% of all sales to support regenerative agriculture and organic farming communities, having invested over $5.5 million to date through this initiative.

Nutiva's product lines span culinary oils, plant-based proteins, seeds, and spreads. Key offerings include organic coconut oil, MCT oil, hempseed, chia seeds, and avocado oil. The company introduced its first organic coconut oil in 2002 and has since expanded to become a significant seller of hemp, chia, and coconut products. A notable milestone was the 2004 federal court victory against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, a legal battle led by Roulac that secured the legality of hemp-based foods. The company also works with partners like Natural Habitats on the "Palm Done Right" initiative to ensure a sustainable supply chain for its red palm oil products and was instrumental in bringing Fair Trade USA certification to its coconut oil suppliers in the Philippines in 2015. Operationally, Nutiva achieved a Gold Standard Certification from the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council for diverting over 95% of its facility's waste from landfills.

Keywords: organic foods, plant-based, regenerative agriculture, John Roulac, coconut oil, hemp foods, chia seeds, MCT oil, sustainable farming, non-GMO, USDA Organic, superfoods, Fair Trade Certified, ethical sourcing, food activism, zero waste, climate action, avocado oil, plant protein, eco-friendly food