Uncle Matt's Organic

Uncle Matt's Organic operates as a prominent American producer and distributor of organic juices and beverages, originating from a long-standing family tradition in citrus farming. The company was founded in 1999 by Matt McLean, a fourth-generation citrus grower from Florida. The inspiration for the business emerged in 1995 when a German customer of McLean's juice brokerage business inquired about organic juice, sparking his interest in this market segment. Starting with just three acres of organic grapefruit in his father's backyard, McLean launched the brand, naming it after his role as an uncle to ten nieces and nephews.

The company's business model is centered on producing and selling premium, 100% organically-grown fruit juices that are free from synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs. Their product line, initially focused on not-from-concentrate orange juice, has expanded to include grapefruit juice, lemonades, fruit punches, teas, and functional beverages fortified with ingredients like probiotics, elderberry, turmeric, vitamins C and D, and zinc. A key differentiator is their Glyphosate Residue Free certification by The Detox Project. Uncle Matt's Organic serves a health-conscious consumer base, distributing its products through major retailers across the United States, including Whole Foods, Publix, Kroger, Target, and Walmart, reaching over 15,000 stores.

The company's journey includes a significant corporate chapter. In 2017, it was acquired by Dean Foods, the largest dairy company in the U.S. at the time, which aimed to expand into the organic beverage space. Matt McLean continued to lead the brand under Dean Foods' ownership. However, following Dean Foods' bankruptcy in 2019, McLean, backed by a team of investors from the organic food industry, repurchased the company in May 2020 for approximately $7.25 million. Since buying the company back, the business has more than doubled, driven by increased consumer focus on health and immunity. The family remains deeply involved, with McLean's wife, Susan, managing marketing and product innovation, and his father and brother overseeing grower relations and research into citrus greening disease.

Keywords: organic juice, citrus grower, family-owned business, Matt McLean, glyphosate residue free, functional beverages, probiotic drinks, organic lemonade, not-from-concentrate, Florida citrus, sustainable farming, B Corporation, organic agriculture, Dean Foods acquisition, company buy-back, healthy beverages, organic products, superfruit punch, elderberry juice, turmeric drinks