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SunRidge Farms: 44 Years of Organic Innovation, Sustainability, and Staying True to Their Roots

Partner Spotlights 
July 8, 2026

Long before “clean label,” “sustainability,” and “organic” became industry buzzwords, SunRidge Farms was building a business around these principles.

Founded in 1982 by outdoor enthusiast and entrepreneur Morty Cohen, the California-based company began with a simple idea: create the kind of organic trail mix Morty wanted to eat but couldn’t find anywhere else. What started in a garage in Santa Cruz has since grown into an 11-acre, 200,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Royal Oaks, California. Today, SunRidge Farms produces more than 1,000 organic and natural products, including nuts, seeds, dried fruits, trail mixes, granolas, grains, beans, spices, and confections.

But despite more than four decades of growth, the company’s mission remains remarkably unchanged.

“Morty has always believed that consumers deserve food made with integrity,” says Greg Cupstid, SunRidge Farms’ Eastern Regional Sales Executive. “He’d rather not make the sale than compromise the philosophy.”

That philosophy is evident throughout the company’s product line. SunRidge products are made without hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or artificial colorings, and the company continues to expand its offerings of Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, and Non-GMO products. While many food companies have adjusted their standards to keep up with changing markets, SunRidge has remained committed to the values that helped define the natural foods movement in the first place.

And the company’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond its ingredients.

SunRidge’s manufacturing operations utilizes 100% renewable energy sources (wind and solar), with the Royal Oaks facility’s solar panels generating over 50% of the company’s electrical needs. SunRidge also maintains extensive recycling programs, utilizes water-saving landscaping and low-flow fixtures, and relies on green cleaning products and passive solar lighting to reduce its environmental footprint.

In fact, environmental stewardship has always been part of the company’s DNA. “He wants to leave the planet in a better place than he found it,” Greg says of founder Morty Cohen.

That same mindset has shaped SunRidge’s approach to innovation. While the company offers classic staples like trail mixes, dried fruits, and roasted nuts, it continues to develop new products and flavors that reflect changing consumer tastes. From Organic Dragon Fruit Trail Mix and Hatch Chile Fiesta Mix to Fair Trade chocolates and Rainbow Drops, SunRidge has found ways to evolve while staying true to its core values.

Giving back is another key part of the company’s identity. Through select products, SunRidge donates a portion of sales to organizations including the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pollinator Partnership, and Defenders of Wildlife. Employees are also encouraged to nominate causes that matter to them, helping foster a culture of community engagement.

For Ace Natural, partnerships with companies like SunRidge Farms represent what makes the natural foods industry special: a shared commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting healthier food systems.

“Independent natural food stores and co-ops helped build our business,” says Greg. “Ace helps connect us with those communities and customers throughout the Northeast.”

More than 44 years after its founding, SunRidge Farms continues to prove that growth and values don’t have to be at odds. In an industry that’s constantly changing, their commitment to quality, sustainability, and integrity remains as relevant as ever.

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