Califia Farms acquires self-serve dairy alternative dispenser brand Uproot Inc.

Los Angeles-based Califia Farms has expanded its out-of-home portfolio of products and services with the acquisition of Uproot Inc.

Founded in 2019, Uproot Inc. launched its self-serve dairy alternative dispenser system in 2022 and has installed units at more than 150 US education campuses and hospital canteens.

The Uproot Inc. Management team, including founders Kevin Eve and Jacob Conway, will join Califia Farms as part of the transaction – the sum of which has not been disclosed.

Turnkey solution

“The founders of Uproot have developed a turnkey solution for dispensing plant-based milk and have achieved impressive distribution in just five years. We look forward to building on this foundation, connecting with consumers in new ways and providing our plant-milks to more people,” said Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms.

Uproot Inc. markets its dispensers as offering greater speed of service and cleanliness than single-serve cartons while reducing packaging waste.   Dairy alternative products are packed in nine-litre bag-in-boxes, which are refrigerated and can serve 40 beverages, 80 cereal-sized servings or 160 coffee creaming servings. The Uproot dispenser unit currently serves the brand’s proprietary oatmilk, soymilk and chocolate peamilk products. In a press release, Califia Farms said the deal will enable it to serve its own oat, almond and coconut ranges at hundreds of US dining locations.

World Coffee Portal research found that almond milk is the most frequently ordered dairy alternative among US coffee shop consumers, with 25% of those surveyed typically pairing it with their coffee beverages. Oatmilk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk and soya milk also featured in the top ten responses, with oat and soya’s popularity significantly higher among consumers aged 35 and under.

Founded in 2010, Califia Farms primarily operates in the US and UK, distributing plant-based dairy alternatives, creamers and ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages to Horeca clients and direct-to-consumers via its e-commerce site and retail partners.

In January 2020, the business raised $225m to increase manufacturing capacity and expand its product portfolio.