Who Owns Verdient Foods?

Verdient Foods' sustainability profile was closely tied to its location in Saskatchewan's pulse-growing region and its parent company's sustainability framework.

Pulses, including yellow peas, are among the most sustainable agricultural crops. They fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. They require less water than many other protein crops. Crop rotation including pulses improves soil health and reduces the need for chemical inputs in subsequent crops. Verdient Foods' sourcing of yellow peas from Saskatchewan farmers supported sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Ingredion's sustainability framework, called "Ingredion Sustainability," encompasses environmental stewardship, responsible sourcing, and social responsibility. The company has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline) and has set water reduction targets for facilities in water-stressed areas.

The Vanscoy facility implemented energy-efficient processing technologies and waste reduction programs. The pea protein fractionation process separates raw peas into protein, starch, and fiber fractions, with each fraction having commercial applications, reducing waste. However, the facility's closure in 2025 means these sustainability benefits are no longer being realized at this location.

Verdient Foods did not hold independent sustainability certifications specific to the brand. The brand's environmental performance was reported within Ingredion's consolidated sustainability reporting. Ingredion itself does not hold certifications like B Corp or Fair Trade, though the company reports against GRI and SASB standards.

The closure of the Vanscoy facility has implications for the local community and Saskatchewan's agricultural sector. The facility provided a market for local pea producers and supported employment in the region. The closure reduces local processing capacity for pulse crops, potentially increasing transportation distances for Saskatchewan farmers seeking to sell their crops to processing facilities.

Vanscoy Facility Closure (January 2025): The most significant event in Verdient Foods' recent history is Ingredion's decision to cease operations at the Saskatchewan pea protein processing facility. The closure affected employees and the local community in Vanscoy and surrounding areas. The decision was driven by overcapacity in the pea protein market, moderated demand growth for plant-based protein ingredients, and Ingredion's portfolio optimization strategy. Local agricultural organizations and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers expressed concern about the impact on local pea farmers who had supplied the facility.

Plant-Based Protein Market Volatility: Verdient Foods, like other pea protein producers, was affected by the significant volatility in the plant-based protein market. The rapid growth of 2019-2021 was followed by a sharp moderation in 2022-2024. This volatility created challenges for capacity planning, investment decisions, and customer relationships. Ingredion's investment in expanding the Vanscoy facility's capacity, made during the peak of the plant-based food trend, proved to be excess capacity when demand moderated.

No Major Product Recalls: As of August 2026, Verdient Foods has not experienced any major product recalls. The company operated under Ingredion's food safety and quality management systems, which comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards for food ingredient production.

No Major Regulatory Violations: Verdient Foods has not been associated with significant regulatory violations or food safety incidents. The company's processing operations complied with Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations and international food safety standards.