A new range of organic milk and butter products under the brand name MU has been launched into the Canadian market by Sunrich Valley, a newly created division of Stake Technology.
Sunrich has certified a number of organic farmers who will supply the raw milk to a certified organic processor. The products will be distributed in eastern Canada to the mass market as well as to health food and specialty outlets.
Farm certification is a lengthy process involving the elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers on the farm for three years prior to certification. In addition, the dairy cattle must be treated with homeopathic medicine since antibiotics are not permitted.
As a result, the supply of organic milk has been slow to develop with market demand exceeding supply, the company said. Sunrich will continue to work with farmers to expand the availability of organic milk.
Sunrich's president, Richard Graham, is a pioneer in the development of the organic milk market in Canada. "Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of organic foods and the farming methods used to produce them. We are excited to be offering families this organic milk alternative and intend to broaden our product line to meet increasing demand," he said.
Sunrich intends to introduce other organic products including cheeses and cultured products over the next two years.
Stake Technology is an owner/operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focused on environmental responsibility and the health and well being of its communities. Currently, the company has three business units: the SunRich Food Group, which specialises in identity-preserved (IP) grain products and natural food ingredients from seed to packaged product and supplies 55 per cent of the soy milk concentrate in the US; the Environmental Industrial Group, a producer, distributor, and recycler of industrial materials; and Steam Explosion, which markets clean pulping technologies.