SunOpta, a Refresco company that delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks, today announced the opening of its newly expanded production line for better-for-you fruit snacks at its Omak, Wash. facility to meet increased customer demand. The expansion represents an investment of over $25 million and is expected to increase fruit snacks production capacity by 25%.
“Demand for better‑for‑you fruit snacks continues to accelerate, and this expansion positions us to meet that momentum head‑on,” said Brian Kocher, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta. “By investing in our existing footprint and capabilities, we’re strengthening our ability to support customers with the scale, flexibility and reliability they need today and well into the future.”
In recent years, consumers have increasingly sought snacks made with real fruit and no artificial colors. SunOpta’s fruit snacks meet that demand, using an apple base and juice concentrates from strawberries, blueberries, lemon, pomegranate and other fruits and vegetables to achieve flavor and color. The snacks are produced in familiar, accessible formats, including bits, twists, “sandwiches” and strips.
Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SunOpta operates seven manufacturing facilities in six markets, with fruit snacks production on both North American coasts, creating access and efficiency for its customers. SunOpta employs more than 260 people at its Omak, Washington facility where teams manufacture natural and organic fruit snacks that are sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels.
SunOpta’s award‑winning R&D team crafts fruit snacks with as few as five real fruit ingredients, no high-fructose corn syrup, and none of the U.S. Big 9 allergens. SunOpta offers options that range from classic berry flavors to tropical and seasonal varieties while continuing to innovate across flavors, textures and formats to meet evolving consumer preferences.
“Our fruit snacks platform reflects what SunOpta does best: combining innovation, quality and operational excellence at scale,” added Kocher. “This expansion reinforces our leadership in the category and our commitment to helping customers grow with confidence.”
“Here in Omak, our team is ready to meet customer demand for better-for-you fruit snacks made with real fruit and no artificial colors. We are proud to have the capacity, manufacturing expertise and team to make it happen,” said Plant Director Terry Llewellyn.
SunOpta recently joined the Refresco family, through an acquisition that supports future growth across the U.S. co-manufacturer’s facilities and broadens its ability to meet evolving customer needs in beverages, plant-based beverages and better-for-you products.
About SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta, a Refresco company, delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels across North America. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Refresco
Refresco is the leading independent beverage solutions provider for preeminent global and local beverage brands, with production in North America, Europe, and Australia. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from carbonated soft drinks, juices, RTD teas and mineral waters to energy drinks, sports drinks and plant-based beverages in carton, (Aseptic) PET, cans and glass. Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand and environmental responsibilities. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 15,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.refresco.com.
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