SunOpta has enhanced its production capabilities for fruit snacks by completing an expansion project exceeding $25 million at its Omak, Washington facility.
This investment introduces a new dedicated production line for healthier fruit snacks, anticipating a 25% increase in output to better cater to the rising consumer demand across various channels, including retail, foodservice, club, and e-commerce.
At the Omak location, which employs over 260 individuals, SunOpta manufactures natural and organic fruit snacks for clients throughout North America. This facility is integral to SunOpta’s manufacturing operations, forming part of a wider network comprising seven production sites across six distinct markets.
The expansion aligns with the growing appetite for healthier snack choices. Brian Kocher, the Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta, remarked, “Demand for better-for-you fruit snacks continues to accelerate, and this expansion positions us to meet that momentum head-on. 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.”
SunOpta’s fruit snack offerings utilize an apple base blended with fruit and vegetable juice concentrates like strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and pomegranate. These products are created without artificial colors and come in various formats, including bits, twists, strips, and sandwich-style snacks.
The company noted a growing consumer preference for snacks made with genuine fruit ingredients, with an increasing interest in options that feature simpler ingredient lists. Their research and development team is committed to crafting fruit snacks with fewer components, steering clear of high-fructose corn syrup and the nine major allergens identified in the United States.
This expansion follows SunOpta’s acquisition by Refresco, a strategic move aimed at bolstering manufacturing capabilities across beverage, plant-based, and healthier snack categories. The additional capacity is anticipated to facilitate future growth and enhance supply chain agility for brand owners, retailers, and foodservice operators.
