Leading Plant-Based Beverage Brand, Califia Farms Launch Into The UK

LOS ANGELES, United States — US plant-based beverage brand Califia Farms is expanding into the UK, with products set to hit supermarket shelves this month.

Two of the brand’s most popular products – Califia Farms Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Coffee and Barista Blend Almondmilk, have been announced as the first of nine products to be launched by the end of the year.

“Califia Farms Cold Brew Coffee and Barista Blend Almondmilk will be sold in Whole Foods UK from 1 April before further Almondmilk and Cold Brew Coffee products are introduced to the UK market via nationwide retailers such as Sainsbury’s, who will begin stocking the brand from 21 May,” a representative told Just Food.

“It’s exciting to see creative retailers such as Sainsbury’s taking an active lead in curating the best quality products from around the world.”

Known for its commitment to supporting healthy living, sustainable sourcing and mindful nourishment, Califia Farms is one of the fastest growing natural beverage companies in the US. The brand’s Almondmilk and Cold Brew Coffees are top sellers in the natural channel.

Founded in 2010 by beverage visionary Greg Steltenpohl, the company has helped to pioneer the plant-based food and beverage revolution. By creating innovative, healthy and great-tasting premium beverages, it claims to make it easier for consumers to switch to a ‘plant-powered’ and dairy-free lifestyle, without compromise.

By leveraging the UK’s growing demand for dairy alternatives, Califia Farms hopes to cement its presence in what it argues is a key market. If successful, expansion into further international markets could also be on the cards.

Ultimately, the brand says its goal is to create beverages that both retailers and consumers are proud to have on their shelves. And following a minority investment of $50 million in 2015 by Stripes Group, a New York-based consumer and technology growth equity firm, it has been striving to do so.

In 2015, Califia’s revenues doubled, and it increased distribution to more than 27,000 storefronts across the US, including natural, conventional and specialty markets, while just last year the brand announced the addition of five innovative formulations to its popular RTD line-up. The new additions including a Matcha Almondmilk and a coconut smoothie, showed a response to a growing market for RTDs, driven by on-the-go busy lifestyles and consumers trending towards healthier and functional alternatives to carbonated drinks.

With the UK already a nation of coffee and nut milk lovers, Califia Farms is banking on its plant-powered beverages appealing to the market’s ‘millennial-minded’ consumers, these it argues are the consumers who are looking for simpler, cleaner foods with a lower environmental impact and its beverages meet those demands.

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