This week is Manufacturers Week in Minnesota and the Crookston Chamber of Commerce has been celebrating by highlighting the Crookston manufacturers with news stories and tours. Today we find out more about SunOpta. 
Sunflowers and sunflower processing have long been an integral part of the agriculture and manufacturing industries in Crookston. Dahlgren & Company was founded in 1955, and acquired by SunOpta in 2010. SunOpta is a leading global company that sources organic ingredients, develops innovative products for brand owners, and packages healthy and organic food. Their Crookston SunOpta plant manufactures bird food, and processes (roasts) sunflowers, soybeans, and chickpeas.
SunOpta Inc. is a leading global company focused on organic, non-genetically modified (“non-GMO”) and specialty foods. They specialize in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products, integrated from seed through packaged products, with a focus on strategic vertically integrated business models. SunOpta’s raw materials are sourced from over 60 countries and they have relationships with over 5,000 growers. They add value to the raw materials they source, turning them into a variety of food ingredients for food manufacturers. SunOpta’s field-to-table approach includes using raw materials and ingredients to produce consumer packaged products for retail and foodservice use. Their consumer packaged products include aseptic and packaged beverages, healthy snacks, roasted grains, flexible pouches and more, with a consistent eye on end products that are of the highest quality and value.
SunOpta’s Global Ingredients segment combines its North American and international raw material sourcing and supply operating segments focused on the purchase, processing, and sale of specialty and organic grains, seeds, fruits, grain- and cocoa-based ingredients, and other commodities used in the natural and organic food industry. Its products include organic fruit- and vegetable-based raw materials and ingredients, sweeteners, cocoa, coffees, ancient grains, nuts, seeds and pulses, and other organic food products; identity preserved (IP), non-GMO and organic seeds and grains, including soy, corn, and sunflower for food applications.
The Consumer Products segment provides healthy and organic food products that are consumer-packaged to retailers, foodservice distributors and food manufacturers with a range of branded and private label products. Consumer Products’ packaged food products are categorized into three commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. It offers aseptic beverages, including soy, almond, rice, coconut, sunflower and other non-dairy and alternative beverages, such as organic dairy and nutritional beverages, including milk, broths, and teas.
A key manufacturer in Crookston and long-time contributor to the local economy, SunOpta in Crookston currently employs approximately 100 personnel, with full-time, part-time and temporary workers. Applications can be found online at www.sunopta.com/careers, or applicants can stop out at their office at 1220 Sunflower Street Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30 pm to pick up an application. Multiple openings are currently available, including Class B Boiler Operator, Master or Journeyman Electrician, Roasters, Packagers and Hand Packagers. Along with competitive wages, SunOpta offers an enticing benefits package including health benefits, 401k with Company match, and tuition reimbursement.
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