Nature’s Path: how next gen was inspired to lead at firm

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There is no one path for rising generations in enterprising families. In this series we talk to members of next generations, whether they choose to take on a role in the family business, or its wealth stewardship, or to carve their own path.

A staple at health-food and grocery stores, Nature’s Path Foods breakfast and snack-food company is a private, family-run firm that grew out of a journey of self-discovery to India.

Seeking enlightenment and a better path in life, Arran Stephens, the son of a berry farmer in Vancouver Island, set out on a journey in the late 1950s. Through art, poetry and meditation, he eventually found himself in India, where his future wife, Ratana, was a lecturer in Uttar Pradesh.

They came together in 1969 and brought their pioneering visions regarding vegetarianism and environmentalism back to Canada, opening a vegetarian restaurant, then a natural food store in 1971.

Based in Richmond, B.C., Nature’s Path was founded in 1985, later acquiring brands such as Anita’s Organic Mill and Que Pasa Mexican Foods.

Now selling in more than 50 countries and with manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States, the company follows a triple bottom line model of socially responsible, environmentally sustainable and financially viable business.

Beyond practising regenerative organic agriculture, the company invests in research, and education and their manufacturing facilities have obtained zero waste certification.

Their philanthropic initiatives include Gardens for Good – about $100,000 in grants to organic community gardens – and donating a minimum of $2 million worth of food to food banks annually. A portion of the company’s EnviroKidz brand sales is donated to support endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for children worldwide and has raised about $US4.2 million to EnviroKidz Partners.

Now, the founders have passed the torch to the next generation.

Arjan Stephens is the president of Nature’s Path and Jyoti Stephens is vice-president of mission and strategy, leading the company’s sustainability initiatives, including ethical sourcing, climate strategy, waste, community engagement and sustainable packaging. Arran Stephens is chair and Ratana Stephens a member of the board of directors.

Can you share with us the story of your grandfather Rupert’s original business on Vancouver Island?

Arjan Stephens: “Our grandfather, Rupert Stephens, was a veteran of World War I and song writer. Rupert grew berries first on Mountain Valley Farm near Duncan, on British Columbia’s beautiful Vancouver Island, and then on the 80-acre Goldstream Berry Paradise near Victoria.

At Goldstream Berry Paradise, Rupert relied on natural materials like kelp, manure, and compost, shunning the synthetic agricultural methods that were gaining popularity in the post-war years. One day while on the farm he told our dad to ‘always leave the soil better than you found it,’ which has evolved into our purpose at Nature’s Path, which is to always leave the Earth better than we found it.”

Jyoti Stephens: “Rupert’s ethos and sustainable farming practices laid the groundwork for what our family business stands for today. We consider him a pivotal part of the movement against chemical farming methods, a man who, decades ago, already understood that for life to be sustained, the earth must be nurtured.”

How did your parents come to found Nature’s Path?

JS: “The story of our parents, Arran and Ratana, is like a cross-continental narrative that is rooted in idealism, love, and a shared passion for bettering the world through organic food.

In the late 1950s, our father, Arran, was seeking enlightenment through art, poetry and meditation, embodying the beatnik dream.

Simultaneously, our mother Ratana was breaking boundaries in India, becoming the first in her family to attend university and later becoming a lecturer in Uttar Pradesh.

Destiny brought them together in India in 1969, and from that point, their individual dreams fused into shared ventures, including founding the first vegetarian restaurant in Canada and the first natural food store, Lifestream, in 1971. All of their efforts culminated in the founding of Nature’s Path in 1985.”

What are your parents’ roles, both together and separately, in the business?

AS: “While Arran is often seen as the ‘visionary,’ who brought a passion for organic and innovative food, Ratana is seen as the heart, with an incredible combination of financial knowhow and emotional depth. They are both tenacious and one of their favorite sayings is that a success is a failure that never gave up.”

JS: “I like to think of our parents as more than life partners; they are soulmates in the pursuit of a better world. They epitomize what it means to be ‘one soul in two bodies,’ as one of their mentors once told them, and their synergy has been the driving force behind our family’s dedication to its founding principles.”

How did you become involved in the family business?

AS: “From the get-go, our involvement in the family business felt as organic as the foods we produce. Our first job? Stickering boxes for a penny apiece. Those early years laid the groundwork, whether we were working in the family restaurant or in one of the many summer internships we did.
At Nature’s Path, my roles varied – data entry, operations, you name it. But my ‘aha moment’ came during my last year of university when a mentor suggested that I should consider making a career at Nature’s Path. Intrigued, I delved into operations and learned so much.

This understanding and knowledge allowed me to eventually set up our factory in Mississauga. I then transitioned into marketing and product development. The creative aspect of the business captivated me, and I eventually pursued an MBA to further contribute to the company. Over the last 20 years, I’ve grown right alongside Nature’s Path, and every day brings a new lesson.”

JS: “Like Arjan, I wore multiple hats during summer internships. However, my academic interests initially diverged.
I completed an undergrad in sociology, studied music, and was deeply involved in environmental activism. I wasn’t convinced that business was my calling until a summer internship at Nature’s Path.

Our then-marketing director encouraged me to translate my passion for sustainability into actionable business practices. I’m very grateful that our parents encourage me to pursue this work and bring my passion for sustainability to the company.”

AS: “Both of us have found that Nature’s Path has given us a unique platform to align our personal passions with our professional lives. It’s a place where we can make a difference – not just in business but also in the larger community. The freedom to innovate and drive change based on our interests has been incredibly fulfilling.”

How do you both honour your family’s mission while also bringing your own visions for the future to the business?

AS: “The ethos that Grandpa Rupert instilled in us is the foundational bedrock for Nature’s Path. As stewards of this legacy, we aim to honor that principle by continuing to increase our organic agricultural footprint, which we view as our greatest homage to both our family and to the broader community. The way we market, innovate, and develop new products will naturally evolve with time, but our purpose will endure.”

JS: “Our parents have been incredible champions of organic agriculture, which, as a food company, is one of the most important ways we can positively impact the planet. We’ve built on this foundation to an expanded set of commitments, including socially responsible sourcing, more sustainable packaging, addressing climate impacts and achieving zero waste certification in our production plants.

Additionally, we’re investing in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies. Our perspective on sustainability is dynamic, growing and evolving just as we do. As our understanding of environmental and social issues continues to mature, so will our strategies and commitments.”

Do you have any advice for rising generations in enterprising families, whether they choose to take a role in the family business or not?

AS: “Taking on a leadership role in a family business comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities, especially if you’re passionate about sustainability.

I’d say the first step is to become a change agent within your family and your business. Model the behaviors and initiatives you wish to see. Understand that change can be both big and small; sometimes it’s a sweeping new policy, and sometimes it’s as simple as implementing a recycling program.

The environmental challenges we face today are complex and require diverse solutions. Don’t shy away from dreaming big and look for win-win opportunities.”

JS: “It’s crucial to understand that the status quo isn’t sustainable. As environmentalist David Suzuki once said, ‘There’s no business to be done on a dead planet.’ If the business you’re involved in isn’t yet focusing on sustainability, make it your mission to change that.

Lead by example and persevere. Whether you’re the first generation or the next, bring your passion for sustainability to the forefront of your family business. It’s not just good for the planet; it’s good business sense.”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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