Arran Stephens

Arran Stephens OBC (born 1944) is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is co-founder of Nature’s Path, a leading manufacturer of organic foods. He is regarded as a pioneer in the food industry and has received numerous acknowledgments for his work promoting sustainable agriculture, organics, and opposition to genetic food modification.

In 1971, Arran (and Ratana) opened LifeStream Natural Foods, a retailer, manufacturer and distributor of organic foods that was eventually sold to Kraft Foods in 1981. Around that time, Arran and Ratana would go on to open “Woodlands,” a successful vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver. In 1985, the Stephens’ founded Nature’s Path, and by 1990 would open North America’s first certified organic breakfast cereal production facility in Delta, British Columbia.

Originally focusing on cereals and breads, the company now sells a variety of products including toaster pastries, waffles, and granola. Nature’s Path has grown to distribute its products to over 40 countries worldwide, with several hundred employees and production facilities in Canada and the United States. The company’s product line has remained 100% certified organic since its founding and the company remains family-run and privately owned. In 2012, Nature’s Path acquired Que Pasa Mexican Foods, a producer of organic tortillas, chips, and salsas. Two of the Stephens’ four children, Arjan and Jyoti, are active in leadership within the company.