Beginnings

Eden Foods began in southern Michigan in the late 1960s amongst friends sourcing natural food. They were youths, motivated by study of the worldwide phenomenon known as macrobiotics: the centering of one’s eating around whole grain and seasonal local plant foods that are not adulterated by toxic chemicals or nutrient depleted.

Natural foods were simply not available at the time, so an Eden Foods Co-op was started to acquire them. Initial $200 orders to Erewhon in Boston and Chico-san in California were well received and caused a local stir. This led to co-op members traveling rural roads, knocking on doors, looking for farmers to grow food using organic methods.

The Eden co-op grew into a natural food store offering whole grains, beans, soyfoods, sea vegetables, miso, cereals, unrefined vegetable oils, seed and nut butters, and the like. It expanded adding a cafeteria, bakery, and books which became known as the Eden Deli. It was one of very few places in the U.S.A. where you could get natural, organic, macrobiotic food.

Folks came from near and far. Health food stores called asking to get the foods we were carrying. An EDEN brand began to take shape.

In 1972 Eden opened its first warehouse and established relations with artisan Japanese traditional food makers. Imports of sea vegetables, teas, miso, shoyu, umeboshi plums, kuzu root starch, rice vinegar, rice bran pickles, mirin, etc. followed. This solidified Eden as an important natural food source for the United States and Canada.

Gradual Development Since 1968

Eden Foods is the senior natural and organic food company in North America. It remains an independent manufacturer of dry grocery organic food, focused on the relationships necessary to sustain them. Whole grain, beans, and macrobiotic Japanese traditional foods have been core to its product line since 1968.

Over 93% of Eden foods are sold by natural food stores, co-ops, and other retail outlets via traditional natural and grocery distribution channels. The internet, Eden’s website, wholesale sales, and employee purchases make up the remainder.

Eden Foods' two warehouses – in Clinton, Michigan and Fremont, California – handle all the food we distribute

Recent building expansions were designed, constructed, and operate following our commitment to harmonious growth and follow ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’ (LEED) principles. 80% recycled steel locally forged, was used: LED lights, insulation, native flora, and good-neighbor landscaping respect our very close residential neighbors. This warehouse meets a gold LEED certification level, the second-highest possible rating.

Eden tracks the environmental impact of its food upstream from suppliers, through company operations, and downstream, monitoring its social and environmental impacts. Energy efficiency and waste avoidance are tracked by Eden Foods using custom in-house tools.

In 2009 Eden Foods was selected as the best food company in the world, and the third best company overall by The Better World Shopping Guide. They honored Eden Foods' admirable record in social and environmental responsibilities. The company earned A+ and A ratings in ten food categories. This is further explained at edenfoods.com/betterworld.

Local Food Focus

Eden partners with local farmers and pays them directly. Most are within a close distance to Eden Foods' HQ. Colored beans, spelt, soybeans, cabbage, apples, tart cherries, strawberries, and pastry wheat are Midwestern. Other North American organic farm foods include grain and popcorn from the High Plains and Midwest; almonds, pistachios, chickpea, and brown rice grow in California; flax and mustard seed are from Saskatchewan; dulse from Maine; sauerkraut cabbage is from Ohio... see Map below.

Eden prepares 75% of its items at its headquarters: whole grain flours, gomasio sesame salt, unrefined vegetable oil, vinegar, soy sauce, roasted nuts and seeds, packaged snacks, whole grain, sea salt, popcorn, and other grain. EDENSOY is made twelve miles east at American Soy Products, a company Eden founded to bring EDENSOY making from Japan to the U.S. The Eden Organic Pasta Company is in Detroit. Meridian Foods cannery of organic beans, refried beans, rice & beans, and chilies is in east-central Indiana. EDEN organic udon and soba noodles are made at Sobaya Company in Montréal, Canada.

Some Eden food comes from afar. Spanish extra virgin olive oil, high altitude white and red quinoa from the Andes mountains, tomatoes from Italy, chamomile from Egypt, green tea and unique traditional foods from Japan. The soybeans in Eden miso and soy sauces are non-GMO, U.S. Midwestern Eden organic beans.

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