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{{Short description|North American dairy company}}
{{Infobox brand
{{Infobox company
⚫
|logo=[[File:Horizon Organic logo.png|200px]]
|name=Horizon Organic
| name = Horizon Organic
⚫
| logo = Horizon Organic logo.png
|image=
| logo_size = 150
|type=
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
|currentowner=[[WhiteWave Foods]]
| industry = [[Dairy]]
|origin={{flagcountry|USA}}
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
|introduced=1991
| founded = {{start date and age|1991}}
|discontinued=
| founder = <!-- or: | founders = -->
|related=
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
|markets=[[United States]]
| fate =
|previousowners=
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
|trademarkregistrations=
| hq_location_city = [[Broomfield, Colorado]]
⚫
|website={{URL|http://www.horizondairy.com/}}
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| area_served = <!-- or: | areas_served = -->
| key_people =
| products = [[Milk]], [[butter]], [[cheese]], [[eggs]], [[cream]]
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = {{ubl|[[Dean Foods]]|{{smaller|(2004–17)}}|[[Danone]]|{{smaller|(2017–present)}}|[[Platinum Equity]]|{{smaller|(2024–present)}}}}
⚫
| website = {{URL|https://horizon.com}}
}}
}}
'''Horizon Organic''' is an American company, founded in 1991, that produces [[organic milk]] products.
'''Horizon Organic''' is an American company that produces [[organic milk]] and other [[organic food]] products. Largest supplier of organic milk in [[North America]], its products are sold in supermarkets and grocery stores.


Founded in 1991, it produces [[organic milk]] in Maryland and also purchases the majority of its organic milk (more than 99 percent) from more than 700 dairies in 23 states.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.horizon.com/faqs?f%5B7%5D=field_faq_category%3A100 |title=FAQs {{!}} Horizon |website=www.horizon.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825230543/https://www.horizon.com/faqs?f%5B7%5D=field_faq_category%3A100 |archive-date=2017-08-25}} </ref> Horizon Organic's products are certified organic by the [[USDA]] and advertised as free of antibiotics, growth hormones and pesticides.
==Description==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2012}}
Horizon Organic is the largest supplier of [[organic milk]] in North America. Its products are sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. Horizon produces [[organic milk]] on a 4,000-cow dairy in Idaho (2,400 milking cows) and an 800-cow dairy (475 milking cows) in Maryland. The company also purchases the majority of its [[organic milk]] (more than 90 percent) from more than 600 dairies in 22 states. Prior to being acquired by (now former parent company) Dean Foods, Horizon was a public company and owner of the organic dairy brands: Juniper Valley Farms, The Organic Cow of Vermont and [[United Kingdom]] brand [[Rachel's Organic]]. Horizon Organic's products are certified organic by the USDA and advertised as free of antibiotics, growth hormones and pesticides. In 2013, [[WhiteWave Foods]] (owner of the Horizon brand) became an independent company from Dean Foods.


Prior to being acquired by [[Dean Foods]] in 2004, it was a public company and owner of the organic dairy brands: Juniper Valley Farms, The Organic Cow of Vermont and [[United Kingdom|UK]] brand [[Rachel's Organic]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iatp.org/news/dean-foods-company-completes-acquisition-of-horizon-organic-holding-corporation |title=Dean Foods Company Completes Acquisition of Horizon Organic Holding Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2003/jul/01/business/fi-organic1 |title=Archives - Los Angeles Times |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>
⚫
==History==
⚫
In 2006, the [[Organic Consumers Association]] organized a boycott of Horizon Organic (and [[Aurora Organic Dairy]]), alleging that the company was not following organic standards.<ref name=dairyrephorizon>Lorraine Heller [http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=69952-horizon-dean-foods-organic-dairy-organic-standards Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices]. ''[[Decision News Media|Dairy Reporter/Food Navigator]]'', 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006</ref><ref name=chitriborganic>Andrew Martin [http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0608200391aug20,1,4196286.story?coll=chi-news-hed Organic*]. ''Chicago Tribune'', 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref> In August, the [[Cornucopia Institute]] filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Horizon Organic violated [[National Organic Program]] standards in reference to the amount of time their dairy cows should spend in pasture.<ref name=orlandsentsuppliers>Mark Chediak [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-organic1706aug17,0,278206.story?coll=orl-business-headlines Suppliers of organic milk draw criticism]. ''Orlando Sentinel'', 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref><ref name=baltsunshore>Chris Guy [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.organic28aug28,0,5745460.story?coll=bal-home-headlines Shore farm accused of skirting standards]. ''Baltimore Sun'', 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref> As a result of the boycott, one of the largest natural food cooperatives, [[PCC Natural Markets]] in [[Seattle]], decided to discontinue Horizon Organic products from their customer offerings.<ref name=seatimesboycott>Melissa Allison [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003190574_dairy11.html PCC says Horizon milk will be pulled]. ''Seattle Times'', 11 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref><ref name=khouboycott>Karen Robinson-Jacobs [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/082006dnbusorganicsbiz.33953c1.html Big retailers want piece of organic pie]. ''The Dallas Morning News'', 19 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006.{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref>


On April 2, 2024, global investment firm [[Platinum Equity]] announced that it had completed the purchase of a controlling stake in Horizon Organic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.platinumequity.com/news/platinum-equity-completes-acquisition-of-horizon-organic-and-wallaby-from-danone/|title=Platinum Equity Completes Acquisition of Horizon Organic and Wallaby from Danone|work=Platinum Equity|access-date=2024-04-05|language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In 2009, (now former) parent company [[Dean Foods]] was sued by a group of dairymen for allegedly creating a monopoly on milk in the Southeastern U.S.<ref name="npr">Burnett, John. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112002639 "Independent Farmers Feel Squeezed By Milk Cartel"], ''[[All Things Considered]]'', [[National Public Radio]]. 20 August 2009.</ref> In 2010 Horizon published "Organic Standards of Care" guidelines which outlines its livestock and organic dairy practices <ref>[http://www.horizondairy.com/wp-content/themes/horizon/pdf/HO_Standards_of_Care_2010.pdf Horizon Organic Standards of Care] Horizon{{deadlink|date=March 2015}}</ref>

⚫
== History ==
Horizon was founded in [[Boulder, Colorado]] in 1991<ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday Horizon Organic! |url=https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Ferry.pdf |website=United States Department of Agriculture}}</ref> and began selling nationally in 1994. It sponsored a local K-8 school's extracurricular activities and even named their mascot, the Horizon Heifers.

After [[Initial public offering|going public]] in 1998, the company was acquired by Dean Foods.<ref>{{cite news |title=Horizon Celebrates 20 Years of Organic Leadership |date=September 22, 2011 |publisher=BUSINESS WIRE |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110922005517/en/Horizon%C2%AE-Celebrates-20-Years-Organic-Leadership}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kowitt |first1=Beth |title=Danone CEO: Here's Why We're Buying WhiteWave |journal=Fortune |date=Jul 13, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, the [[Organic Consumers Association]] organized a boycott of Horizon Organic (and [[Aurora Organic Dairy]]), alleging that the company was not following organic standards.<ref name=dairyrephorizon>Lorraine Heller [http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=69952-horizon-dean-foods-organic-dairy-organic-standards Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices]. ''Dairy Reporter/Food Navigator'', 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006</ref><ref name=chitriborganic>Andrew Martin [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-08-20/news/0608200391_1_organic-milk-aurora-organic-horizon-organic Organic*]. ''Chicago Tribune'', 20 August 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2014.</ref>

⚫
In August, 2006, the [[Cornucopia Institute]] filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Horizon Organic violated [[National Organic Program]] standards in reference to the amount of time their dairy cows should spend in pasture.<ref name=orlandsentsuppliers>Mark Chediak [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-organic1706aug17,0,278206.story?coll=orl-business-headlines Suppliers of organic milk draw criticism]. ''Orlando Sentinel'', 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029035652/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-organic1706aug17,0,278206.story?coll=orl-business-headlines |date=October 29, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=baltsunshore>Chris Guy [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.organic28aug28,0,5745460.story?coll=bal-home-headlines Shore farm accused of skirting standards]. ''The Baltimore Sun'', 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901083853/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.organic28aug28,0,5745460.story?coll=bal-home-headlines |date=September 1, 2006 }}</ref> As a result of the boycott, one of the largest natural food cooperatives, [[PCC Natural Markets]] in [[Seattle]], decided to discontinue Horizon Organic products from their customer offerings.<ref name=seatimesboycott>Melissa Allison [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003190574_dairy11.html PCC says Horizon milk will be pulled]. ''The Seattle Times'', 11 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524102730/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003190574_dairy11.html |date=May 24, 2011 }}</ref><ref name=khouboycott>Karen Robinson-Jacobs [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/082006dnbusorganicsbiz.33953c1.html Big retailers want piece of organic pie]. ''The Dallas Morning News'', 19 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201536/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/082006dnbusorganicsbiz.33953c1.html |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

⚫
In 2009, parent company Dean Foods was sued by a group of dairymen for allegedly creating a monopoly on milk in the Southeastern U.S.<ref name="npr">Burnett, John. [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112002639 "Independent Farmers Feel Squeezed By Milk Cartel"], ''[[All Things Considered]]'', [[NPR]]. 20 August 2009.</ref> In 2010, Horizon published "Organic Standards of Care" guidelines which outlines its livestock and organic dairy practices <ref>[http://www.horizondairy.com/wp-content/themes/horizon/pdf/HO_Standards_of_Care_2010.pdf Horizon Organic Standards of Care] Horizon {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511070453/http://www.horizondairy.com/wp-content/themes/horizon/pdf/HO_Standards_of_Care_2010.pdf |date=May 11, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2013, [[WhiteWave Foods]] (owner of the Horizon brand) became an independent company from Dean Foods.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/100182341 |title=Dean Foods to raise up to $320M in WhiteWave IPO |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=17 October 2012}}</ref> In April 2017, almost a year after an agreement between the parties was announced,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/13/danone-whitewave-acquisition-2/ |title=Danone's Emmanuel Faber: Here's Why We're Buying WhiteWave {{!}} Fortune}}</ref> the French company [[Danone]] completed the purchase of WhiteWave for $10.4 billion, creating a new unit called DanoneWave.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dairyreporter.com/Manufacturers/Danone-completes-acquisition-of-WhiteWave-to-create-DanoneWave |title=Danone completes acquisition of WhiteWave to create DanoneWave}}</ref>

In 2024, it was reported that Platinum Equity had purchased a controlling stake in Horizon Organic.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.horizondairy.com/}}
* {{Official website}}


{{Dean Foods}}
{{Group Danone}}


[[Category:Agriculture companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Agriculture companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Dairy products companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Dairy products companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Dean Foods brands]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:Organic farming organizations]]
[[Category:Organic farming in the United States]]
[[Category:Organic farming in the United States]]
[[Category:Groupe Danone brands]]
[[Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 02:35, 5 May 2024

Horizon Organic
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryDairy
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
Headquarters
Broomfield, Colorado
,
U.S.
ProductsMilk, butter, cheese, eggs, cream
Parent
Websitehorizon.com

Horizon Organic is an American company that produces organic milk and other organic food products. Largest supplier of organic milk in North America, its products are sold in supermarkets and grocery stores.

Founded in 1991, it produces organic milk in Maryland and also purchases the majority of its organic milk (more than 99 percent) from more than 700 dairies in 23 states.[1] Horizon Organic's products are certified organic by the USDA and advertised as free of antibiotics, growth hormones and pesticides.

Prior to being acquired by Dean Foods in 2004, it was a public company and owner of the organic dairy brands: Juniper Valley Farms, The Organic Cow of Vermont and UK brand Rachel's Organic.[2][3]

On April 2, 2024, global investment firm Platinum Equity announced that it had completed the purchase of a controlling stake in Horizon Organic.[4]

History[edit]

Horizon was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1991[5] and began selling nationally in 1994. It sponsored a local K-8 school's extracurricular activities and even named their mascot, the Horizon Heifers.

After going public in 1998, the company was acquired by Dean Foods.[6] [7] In 2006, the Organic Consumers Association organized a boycott of Horizon Organic (and Aurora Organic Dairy), alleging that the company was not following organic standards.[8][9]

In August, 2006, the Cornucopia Institute filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Horizon Organic violated National Organic Program standards in reference to the amount of time their dairy cows should spend in pasture.[10][11] As a result of the boycott, one of the largest natural food cooperatives, PCC Natural Markets in Seattle, decided to discontinue Horizon Organic products from their customer offerings.[12][13]

In 2009, parent company Dean Foods was sued by a group of dairymen for allegedly creating a monopoly on milk in the Southeastern U.S.[14] In 2010, Horizon published "Organic Standards of Care" guidelines which outlines its livestock and organic dairy practices [15]

In 2013, WhiteWave Foods (owner of the Horizon brand) became an independent company from Dean Foods.[16] In April 2017, almost a year after an agreement between the parties was announced,[17] the French company Danone completed the purchase of WhiteWave for $10.4 billion, creating a new unit called DanoneWave.[18]

In 2024, it was reported that Platinum Equity had purchased a controlling stake in Horizon Organic.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FAQs | Horizon". www.horizon.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-25.
  2. ^ "Dean Foods Company Completes Acquisition of Horizon Organic Holding Corporation".
  3. ^ "Archives - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ "Platinum Equity Completes Acquisition of Horizon Organic and Wallaby from Danone". Platinum Equity. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  5. ^ "Happy Birthday Horizon Organic!" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture.
  6. ^ "Horizon Celebrates 20 Years of Organic Leadership". BUSINESS WIRE. September 22, 2011.
  7. ^ Kowitt, Beth (Jul 13, 2016). "Danone CEO: Here's Why We're Buying WhiteWave". Fortune.
  8. ^ Lorraine Heller Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices. Dairy Reporter/Food Navigator, 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006
  9. ^ Andrew Martin Organic*. Chicago Tribune, 20 August 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  10. ^ Mark Chediak Suppliers of organic milk draw criticism. Orlando Sentinel, 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. Archived October 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Chris Guy Shore farm accused of skirting standards. The Baltimore Sun, 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. Archived September 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Melissa Allison PCC says Horizon milk will be pulled. The Seattle Times, 11 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. Archived May 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Karen Robinson-Jacobs Big retailers want piece of organic pie. The Dallas Morning News, 19 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2006. Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Burnett, John. "Independent Farmers Feel Squeezed By Milk Cartel", All Things Considered, NPR. 20 August 2009.
  15. ^ Horizon Organic Standards of Care Horizon Archived May 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Dean Foods to raise up to $320M in WhiteWave IPO". CNBC. 17 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Danone's Emmanuel Faber: Here's Why We're Buying WhiteWave | Fortune".
  18. ^ "Danone completes acquisition of WhiteWave to create DanoneWave".

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horizon_Organic&oldid=1222287621"