Natrel
{{Short description|Canadian dairy co-operative}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Natrel
| logo = Natrel Logo.svg
| type = Subsidiary
| industry = Dairy products distribution
| founded = 1990
| parent = Agropur
| hq_location = 4600, Armand-Frappier street
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Z 1G5
| products = Milk, Butter, Cream, Sour cream, Cottage cheese, Ice cream, Cheese, Dips and Spread
| website = {{url|http://www.natrel.ca/}}
}}
Natrel is a Canadian dairy co-operative based in Montreal, Quebec. The brand specializes in milk without antibiotics or artificial growth hormones and distributes the product throughout Canada.
History
File:Festival of Trees 2011 IMG 0437 (5733871456).jpg]]
Natrel was formed in 1990 as the dairy subsidiary of the Agropur agricultural cooperative, headquartered in Longueuil, Quebec.
In 2012 the company began producing shelf-stable milk in collaboration with Tetra Pak.{{Cite news |last=Leung |first=Wency |date=2012-03-27 |title=Why warm milk is getting a cool reception |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/why-warm-milk-is-getting-a-cool-reception/article4096124/ |access-date=2023-01-27}} The first product released in the line was Baboo, a shelf-stable drink aimed towards toddlers.{{Cite web |last=Pagliaro |first=Jennifer |date=2012-02-07 |title=Toddler nutrition: Natrel accused of milking parents' fear with Baboo, a toddler drink |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2012/02/07/toddler_nutrition_natrel_accused_of_milking_parents_fear_with_baboo_a_toddler_drink.html |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}} Baboo received criticism for what some people perceived to be an unnecessary product while the company argued that its formulation of milk protein made the drink easily digestible for young children.
In 2015 the company opened a "Milk Bar" cafe in Montreal in collaboration with coffee company Java U.{{Cite news |last=Krashinsky |first=Susan |date=2015-05-26 |title=Natrel opens 'milk bar' in Quebec café as consumption falls |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/dairy-co-op-natrel-opens-a-milk-bar-in-quebec-cafe/article24629422/ |access-date=2023-01-27}} The company opened a second Milk Bar in Toronto in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Scriver |first=Amanda |date=7 November 2016 |title=Natrel Milk Bar: Toronto's Dairy-Forward Modern Design Cafe |url=https://sprudge.com/natrel-milk-bar-torontos-dairy-forward-modern-design-cafe-106913.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=sprudge.com |language=en-US}}
Operations
As with other Canadian dairy companies, Natrel's butter production peaks in the spring.{{Cite web |title=Inside Canada's national butter reserve, the government stockpile that ensures you can do your holiday baking |url=https://financialpost.com/commodities/agriculture/inside-canada-national-butter-reserve |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=financialpost |language=en-CA}}
= Locations =
- Markham, Ontario
- Longueuil, Quebec
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Amqui, Quebec
- Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Chilliwack, British Columbia
- Victoria, British Columbia - Island Dairy
- Delta, British Columbia - Island Dairy
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.natrel.ca/ Natrel Official Website]
- [http://www.agropur.com/ Agropur Official Website]
{{Agropur}}
Category:Dairy products companies of Canada
Category:Food and drink companies established in 1990
Category:Companies based in Longueuil
Category:1990 establishments in Quebec