Arran Stephens
{{short description|Canadian businessman}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Arran Stephens
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=CAN|size=100%|OBC}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1944}}
| birth_place = British Columbia, Canada
| image = Arran Stephens - July 28, 2020 - 6041(4413).jpg
| caption = Arran Stephens (2020)
| image size =
| nationality = Canadian
| occupation = CEO and Co-Founder of Nature's Path Organic Foods, Inc., author, painter
| spouse = Ratana Stephens
| parents =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
Arran Blackburn Stephens (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{{Cite web |url=http://deliciousliving.com/take-action/natures-path-cofounder-arran-stephens-why-prop-37-still-matters |title=Why Prop 37 Still Matters |date=7 November 2012 |publisher=deliciousliving.ca}} and has received numerous acknowledgments for his work promoting sustainable agriculture, organics, and opposition to genetic food modification.
Early life
Arran Stephens was born on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the son of Rupert Stephens, a berry farmer and songwriter, and Gwen Stephens. Stephens has a brother, Godfrey Stephens, a well-known Canadian artist. Stephens is of English and Scottish ancestry.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}} His paternal great-grandfather was Lt. General JM Cripps, of the Bengal Staff Corps, India.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}
Stephens grew up on a berry farm on Vancouver Island until his early teens, when his parents relocated to Los Angeles, following his father's pursuit of a songwriting career. For a brief time, Stephens attended Hollywood High School. In his later teen years, Stephens supported himself as a painter and poet with gallery showings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Vancouver.
In 1964 while living in New York, Stephens became interested in spirituality and mysticism. In 1967 he traveled to India to study at an ashram for seven months under the guidance of well known spiritual teacher Sant Kirpal Singh. In August 1967, Stephens returned to Vancouver and opened The Golden Lotus, Canada's first vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Kitsilano.{{cite web|url=http://spacing.ca/vancouver/2012/08/29/restaurants-that-changed-vancouver-the-naam/ |title=Restaurants that Changed Vancouver |date=29 August 2012 |publisher=Spacing|accessdate=2014-06-11}}
In 1968, Stephens went back to India to study further with Sant Kirpal Singh for six months. On March 4, 1969, he had an arranged marriage to Ratan Mala Bagga, and returned with his bride to Canada.
Beginning of Nature's Path
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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.treehugger.com/culture/arran-stephens-of-natures-path-on-independence-in-the-fast-consolidating-food-industry.html |title=Arran Stephens of Nature's Path on Independence in the Fast Consolidating Food Industry |publisher=treehugger.com}} 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,{{Cite web|url=http://www.treehugger.com/culture/arran-stephens-of-natures-path-on-independence-in-the-fast-consolidating-food-industry.html|title = Corporate Responsibility}} 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.{{cite news|title=Sustainability Runs Deep in Cereal Making Family |url= https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/top-employers/green-employers/sustainability-runs-deep-in-cereal-making-family/article1994663/|date= 21 April 2011 |publisher=Globe & Mail |accessdate=11 June 2014}}
Leadership
Stephens served on the Organic Trade Association (OTA) board during the creation and launch of the USDA National Organic Program.{{cite web|url=http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-story-nature_s_path_s_organic_program_manager_joins_ota_board-16199.html |title=Nature's Path's Organic Program Manager Joins OTA Board - CPGS & Trading Partners - Supermarket Chain |Grocery Chain | Grocery Store Chain | Supermarket News |access-date=2013-02-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308020305/http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-story-nature_s_path_s_organic_program_manager_joins_ota_board-16199.html |archivedate=2014-03-08 }} He was an early supporter and founding board member of the Non-GMO Project.{{cite web | url=https://ota.com/arran-and-ratana-stephens | title=Arran and Ratana Stephens | website=OTA | access-date=2024-09-23}} Stephens was also a vocal supporter of California's Proposition 37 initiative.{{ cite web | title=Why Prop 37 Still Matters? | url=https://www.deliciousliving.com/green-living/natures-path-cofounder-arran-stephens-why-prop-37-still-matters/ | website=Delicious Living | date=2012-11-07 | access-date=2014-06-11 }} Stephens has also served on the boards of The Rodale Institute, and as the Chairman of the Richmond Food Security Society. He has served on the federally incorporated charity, Science of Spirituality of Canada since 1974.
From 1971-1975, Arran served on the leadership board for Organic Merchants, the first organic trade association in North America, predecessor to OFPANA and the Organic Trade Association.{{Cite web|title=Interview with Arran Stephens – By Dr. Catherine Carstairs|url=http://www.arranstephens.com/2003/06/interview-with-arran-stephens-by-dr-catherine-carstairs/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Arran Stephens Blog|date=25 September 2013 |language=en-US}} Furthermore, Arran Stephens also served on leadership boards for the Canadian Health Food Association,{{Cite web|title=Canadian Health Food Association|url=https://chfa.ca/en/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=chfa.ca}} Richmond Food Security Society,{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.richmondfoodsecurity.org/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Richmond Food Security Society|language=en-US}} UBC Land & Food Systems {{Cite web | title=Faculty Advisory Board | url=https://www.landfood.ubc.ca/about/faculty-advisory-board/ | access-date=2024-09-23 | website=UBC Faculty of Land & Food Systems}} and Kwantlen Polytechnic Food Advisory Board.{{Cite web|title=Kwantlen Polytechnic University|url=https://www.kpu.ca/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Kwantlen Polytechnic University|language=en}} He received no compensation for his service on these various non-profit boards.
Awards
In 1997, Stephens received the Canadian Health Food Association Lifetime Achievement Award.{{Cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Awards|url=https://chfa.ca/en/Events/CHFA-Industry-Achievement-Awards/Lifetime-Achievement-Awards|access-date=2020-07-30|website=chfa.ca}}
In 2002, Stephens received the Ernst & Young Manufacturing & Distribution Award.{{Cite web |url=http://www.financialserenity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Oct-2003-BCBusiness-Entrepreneurs-of-the-year.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308015610/http://www.financialserenity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Oct-2003-BCBusiness-Entrepreneurs-of-the-year.pdf |archive-date=2014-03-08 |url-status=dead }}
In 2002, Stephens was honored with the Organics Achievement Award by the CHFA.{{Cite web|title=Organics Achievement Award|url=https://chfa.ca/en/News/Achievement-Awards/Organic-Achievement-Award|access-date=2020-07-30|website=chfa.ca}}
In 2012, The Rodale Institute announced the establishment of the Ratana and Arran Stephens Scholarship Fund, awarding scholarships to war veterans who are students of organic agriculture, made possible through a donation from Nature's Path.{{cite web | url=https://www.rodaleinstitute.org/2012/rodale-institute-announces-establishment-of-arran-stephens-scholarship-fund/ | title= Rodale Institute Announces Establishment of Arran Stephens Scholarship Fund | access-date=2024-09-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403224857/https://www.rodaleinstitute.org/2012/rodale-institute-announces-establishment-of-arran-stephens-scholarship-fund/ | archive-date=2014-04-03 | url-status=dead }}
In 2013, the New York-based Leadership Institute honored Arran Stephens as the recipient of the first-ever Leadership Award for Character, Vision, and Impact at The Leadership Institute's launch event.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newsfromota.com/ota-members/of-note/stephens-to-be-honored-by-the-leadership-institute/ |title=Stephens to be honored by the Leadership Institute -- News from OTA |access-date=2013-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132033/http://www.newsfromota.com/ota-members/of-note/stephens-to-be-honored-by-the-leadership-institute/ |archive-date=2014-05-17 |url-status=dead }} He was also awarded the New Hope Hall of Legends Award, which celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and evolution of the natural products industry.{{cite web | url=https://www.newhope.com/natural-products-expos/hall-of-legends-2013-ceremony-highlights | title=Hall of Legends 2013 ceremony highlights | website=New Hope Network | date=2014-04-04 | access-date=2024-09-23 }}
In 2013, Arran and Ratana Stephens won the Growing the Organic Industry Award from the Organic Trade Association.{{Cite web | title=Arran and Ratana Stephens | url=https://ota.com/arran-and-ratana-stephens | access-date=2024-09-23 | website=OTA }}
In 2013, Arran Stephens was awarded the OTA Organic Leadership Award.{{cite web | title=Award Honorees | website=OTA | url=https://ota.com/about-ota/organic-leadership-awards/honorees/Arran%20and%20Ratana%20Stephens | access-date=2020-07-30 }}
In April 2014, Ratana and Arran won the Stewardship Award for their leadership in the food industry from the Food in Canada magazine.{{Cite web|title=Food In Canada - Canada's Food & Beverage Processing Magazine|url=https://www.foodincanada.com/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Food In Canada|language=en-US}}
In November 2017, Ratana and Arran Stephens won the Leader in Sustainability award given by the Rabobank North America Leadership Awards.{{Cite web|last=jabc|title=Congratulations to our new BLBC Hall of Fame Inductees|url=https://jabc.ca/congratulations-to-our-new-blbc-hall-of-fame-inductees/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=JA British Columbia (JABC) - business education for youth, develop young leaders of tomorrow|date=14 November 2019 |language=en-CA}}
In September 2018, Arran was awarded the Organic Pioneer Award from the Rodale Institute.{{Cite web|title=Organic Pioneer Award Winners|url=https://rodaleinstitute.org/get-involved/visit/organic-pioneer-awards/organic-pioneer-award-winners/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Rodale Institute|language=en-US}}
In November 2021, the University of Victoria (UVIC) conferred honorary doctorate degrees in Education upon Ratana and Arran.{{Cite web|title=Honorary degree recipients|url=https://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/senate/honorary/recipients/index.php|website=University of Victoria|language=en-CA}}
In 2021, Arran and Ratana received the Order of British Columbia. They were among a select few individuals to receive this honor, and they are recognized as extraordinary individuals who made significant contributions to B.C.{{cite web |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/honours-and-awards/order-of-bc/members/p-s|title=Members of the Order of British Columbia: P–S}} The investiture ceremony was delayed to March 2022, due to safety considerations for COVID-19.{{cite web |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022IGRS0004-000267|title=Province’s highest honour recognizes 31 British Columbians|website=Province of British Columbia}}
The Stephens received the Canada Marketing Legends Award in 2021 from the American Marketing Association.{{cite web |url=https://ama-toronto.com/inductees/arran-ratana-stephens/|title=Arran & Ratana Stephens|website=American Marketing Association}}
Ratana and Arran won the Sustainable Food Award from Ecovia Intelligence in 2021 for their contributions to building a sustainable food industry. The 2021 awards were hosted online due to the pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HXUNdgzZZs&ab_channel=SustainabilitySummits|title = Sustainable Food Awards 2021|website = YouTube}}
In 2021, Arran and Ratana received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 7th Annual Drishti Awards for their outstanding efforts to contribute to a civil society.{{cite web |url=https://drishtimagazine.com/awards/|title=Awards 2021|date=27 April 2022 }}
In August 2022, Arran and Ratana were inducted into the Grocery Hall of Fame by Grocery Business magazine.{{cite web|url=https://www.grocerybusiness.ca/hall-of-fame-inductees/arran-ratana-stephens/|title=Arran & Ratana Stephens|website=Grocery Business Magazine}}
In October 2022, Arran and Ratana received the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year Award (DEYA) from the University of Victoria.{{cite web|url=https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2022+deya-recipients+media-release|title=Ratana and Arran Stephens named 2022 DEYA recipients|website=University of Victoria}}
In April 2024, Arran and Ratana received the Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.boardoftrade.com/events/7681|title=Governors' Gala & Rix Awards 2024|website=Greater Vancouver Board of Trade}}
In June 2024, the University of British Columbia conferred honorary doctorate degrees in Science upon Arran and Ratana.{{cite web |url=https://graduation.ubc.ca/event/ubc-honorary-degrees/2024-honorary-degree-recipients/|title= 2024 Honorary Degree Recipients|website=University of British Columbia}}
In September 2024, Arran and Ratana received the President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award from Simon Fraser University for their unwavering commitment to the health of both people and the planet.{{cite web | url=https://www.sfu.ca/dashboard/faculty-staff/news/2024/07/celebrating-sfu-community-changemakers.html | title=Celebrating SFU community changemakers | website=Simon Fraser University | access-date=2024-08-20}}
Philanthropy
Arran and Ratana Stephens, and their family company have been involved in many philanthropic efforts over the years, primarily to the following:
- Food Banks across North America (over CAD $41,000,000 in food between 2010 and 2023{{cite web|url=https://naturespath.com/en-ca/blogs/posts/all-thanks-to-you-our-2023-impact|title=All Thanks to You: Our 2023 Impact|website=Nature's Path}}) serving those in need
- Gardens for Good, an initiative of Nature's Path (establishing organic food gardens in underprivileged neighborhoods, community centers and schools)
- Vancouver General Hospital ($2,000,000 to the Gastroenterology Department){{cite web|url=http://worldclasshealthcare.ca/Stories/Arran_Stephens.html |title=Stories |accessdate=2013-02-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104032813/http://www.worldclasshealthcare.ca/Stories/Arran_Stephens.html |archivedate=2012-11-04 }}{{cite web | url=https://vghfoundation.ca/2021/08/25/natures-path-donate-1-million-gastroenterology-vgh/ | title= Nature’s Path co-founders donate $1 million to support clinical care and research at VGH | website=VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation | date=2021-08-25 | access-date=2024-09-24 }}
- Vancouver Coastal Health Withdrawal Management Centre{{cite web|url=https://vghfoundation.ca/2021/11/29/ratana-arran-stephens-donates-3-million-withdrawal-management-centre/|title=$3M gift from Stephens family supports Withdrawal Management Centre|website=VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation}}
- British Columbia Children's Hospital
- St. Paul's Hospital Wellness Garden
- University of British Columbia (UBC Farm / Land & Food Systems)
- University of Victoria (bursaries for students)
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Simon Fraser University
- Science of Spirituality Meditation Centre
- Doctors Without Borders Canada, through a fundraiser exhibition of Arran's artwork at UBC in 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.landfood.ubc.ca/a-luminous-journey-the-art-of-arran-stephens-o-b-c/|title=A Luminous Journey: The Art of Arran Stephens|website=UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems}}
Publications
Stephens has authored three books:
- Journey to the Luminous (Elton-Wolf, 1999)
- Kirpal: Mere Guru, Mere Malik (Skyline Publications, 2024){{cite web | url=https://www.arransart.org/writings | title=Books - Arran's Art | access-date=2024-08-20}}
- Moth & the Flame: Adventures with Three Mystic Adepts of Our Times (Skyline Publications, 2024){{cite web | url=https://www.arransart.org/writings | title=Books - Arran's Art | access-date=2024-08-20}}
Stephens also co-authored with Eliot Jay Rosen The Compassionate Diet—How What You Eat Can Change Your Life and Save the Planet (Rodale Books, 2011).
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Arran}}
Category:Businesspeople from Vancouver
Category:20th-century Canadian businesspeople
Category:21st-century Canadian businesspeople
Category:Canadian chief executives
Category:Canadian philanthropists
Category:Canadian businesspeople
Category:Canadian non-fiction writers