Califia Farms Strengthens Market Presence Through Acquisition of Uproot Inc.
Source: DairyNews.today
Califia Farms, a prominent manufacturer of oat, almond, and coconut milk in the United States, has recently expanded its out-of-home product lineup by acquiring Uproot Inc., a company known for its innovative self-serve dairy alternative dispensers. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance Califia Farms' footprint across more than 150 educational and healthcare institutions in the U.S., integrating its extensive product range into Uproot’s dispensing systems.
Los Angeles-based Califia Farms, established in 2010, has made significant strides in the plant-based dairy market, both in the U.S. and the UK, by offering a variety of dairy alternatives, creamers, and ready-to-drink coffee products. The integration of Uproot Inc., founded in 2019 and having launched its dispenser system in 2022, marks a notable expansion of Califia's services to include advanced, on-site beverage solutions in universities, colleges, and hospitals.
The acquisition includes the transition of Uproot Inc.’s management team, including founders Kevin Eve and Jacob Conway, to Califia Farms, enhancing the combined expertise and innovation potential. Califia Farms CEO, Dave Ritterbush, expressed enthusiasm about building on Uproot's achievements, stating, "The founders of Uproot have developed a turnkey solution for dispensing plant-based milk and have achieved impressive distribution in just five years. We look forward to building on this foundation, connecting with consumers in new ways and providing our plant-milks to more people."
Uproot Inc.’s dispensers are marketed as a superior alternative to single-serve cartons, offering faster service, improved cleanliness, and significant reductions in packaging waste. These units use nine-litre bag-in-box systems that are capable of serving multiple sizes, from beverage accompaniments to cereal and coffee creamers, showcasing the brand's oatmilk, soymilk, and chocolate peamilk options. Califia plans to introduce its oat, almond, and coconut milk products to this system, thereby enhancing variety and accessibility at these venues.
Research from the World Coffee Portal underscores the growing popularity of almond milk, which leads the U.S. market as the most preferred dairy alternative among coffee drinkers, particularly those under 35. The acquisition allows Califia Farms to leverage these insights by catering to the evolving consumer preferences for plant-based products in high-traffic environments.
Following a significant investment round in January 2020, which raised $225 million, Califia Farms is positioned to further innovate and expand its product offerings, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and health-conscious consumption. This acquisition is a testament to Califia's strategic vision to dominate the plant-based dairy alternative sector through continuous improvement and market adaptation.
The acquisition includes the transition of Uproot Inc.’s management team, including founders Kevin Eve and Jacob Conway, to Califia Farms, enhancing the combined expertise and innovation potential. Califia Farms CEO, Dave Ritterbush, expressed enthusiasm about building on Uproot's achievements, stating, "The founders of Uproot have developed a turnkey solution for dispensing plant-based milk and have achieved impressive distribution in just five years. We look forward to building on this foundation, connecting with consumers in new ways and providing our plant-milks to more people."
Uproot Inc.’s dispensers are marketed as a superior alternative to single-serve cartons, offering faster service, improved cleanliness, and significant reductions in packaging waste. These units use nine-litre bag-in-box systems that are capable of serving multiple sizes, from beverage accompaniments to cereal and coffee creamers, showcasing the brand's oatmilk, soymilk, and chocolate peamilk options. Califia plans to introduce its oat, almond, and coconut milk products to this system, thereby enhancing variety and accessibility at these venues.
Research from the World Coffee Portal underscores the growing popularity of almond milk, which leads the U.S. market as the most preferred dairy alternative among coffee drinkers, particularly those under 35. The acquisition allows Califia Farms to leverage these insights by catering to the evolving consumer preferences for plant-based products in high-traffic environments.
Following a significant investment round in January 2020, which raised $225 million, Califia Farms is positioned to further innovate and expand its product offerings, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and health-conscious consumption. This acquisition is a testament to Califia's strategic vision to dominate the plant-based dairy alternative sector through continuous improvement and market adaptation.
