Silk (brand) facts for kids
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A glass of Oat yeah! Silk oat milk
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| Type | Plant milk |
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| Owner | Danone (2017–pres.) |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1977 |
| Markets | North America |
| Previous owners |
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Silk is an American brand that makes many different dairy-alternative products. These products are made from plants, not from animals. Silk offers items like soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. They also make plant-based yogurts and creamers. The company is currently owned by Danone, a large food company.
Contents
The Story of Silk: How It Started
Early Days and Growth
The company that created Silk, called WhiteWave Foods, began in Boulder, Colorado, in 1977. At first, they focused on products made from soy, like tofu. The very first Silk product was introduced in March 1996. It was shown at a special food event in Anaheim, California.
Over the next few years, Silk became a very successful brand. It grew into a well-known name for organic food products around the world.
Changes in Ownership
In 2002, WhiteWave, Inc. was sold to another company called Dean Foods. This sale was for more than $300 million. Silk's sales continued to grow, reaching $350 million in yearly earnings by 2005.
As the business got bigger, Silk became the largest buyer of organic, Non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) soybeans in North America. By 2009, Silk stated that all its soybeans came from North America. This included both organic and non-GMO types.
New Products and Independence
In January 2010, Silk introduced a new product: Silk Pure Almond. This was an almond milk and the first product from Silk that was not made from soy.
In 2013, WhiteWave Foods separated from Dean Foods. It became its own independent company, with its shares traded on the stock market.
Awards and Partnerships
Silk has received the Green Power Leadership Award five times. This award comes from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. It recognizes companies that use green energy.
Silk has also supported Farm Aid since 2002. Farm Aid is an organization that helps family farmers. Silk is also part of the Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA). This group shares information about the health benefits of eating soy.
Becoming Part of Danone
In July 2016, a big international company called Danone announced it would buy WhiteWave Foods. The purchase was for $10.4 billion. The deal was completed in April 2017. The new company formed after the purchase was named "DanoneWave."
Product Information and Quality
Understanding Product Changes
In 2009, some news reports mentioned concerns about Silk products. A group called the Cornucopia Institute made complaints to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They said that Dean Foods, the company that owned Silk at the time, changed some products.
The complaint was that Silk soy milk, which used to be made with organic soybeans, was switched to regular soybeans. However, the product barcodes and prices stayed the same. The word "organic" on the packaging was replaced with "natural."
Silk has stated that it only gets its soybeans from farms in the United States. The brand has also had all its products checked by the Non-GMO Project. This project helps make sure products do not contain genetically modified ingredients.
Types of Silk Products
Silk offers a wide variety of plant-based products. These include different kinds of milk, yogurts, and creamers.
- Refrigerated Soy Milk: Flavors like Vanilla, Original, Chocolate, Very Vanilla, and Unsweet Vanilla. Some also included DHA Omega-3.
- Light Soy Milk: Available in Original, Vanilla, and Chocolate.
- Shelf-Stable Soy Milk: These can be stored on a shelf without refrigeration until opened. Flavors include Original, Vanilla, and Unsweetened. There was also a special blend for Starbucks.
- Single-Serve Soy Milk: Small, individual containers in Very Vanilla and Chocolate.
- Seasonal Soy Milk: Special flavors offered during certain times of the year, like Pumpkin Spice, Nog, and Chocolate Mint.
- Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternatives: Made from almond or soy. Flavors include Peach Almond, Strawberry Almond, Vanilla Almond, Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond, Plain Almond, Peach & Mango Soy, Blueberry Soy, Strawberry Soy, Vanilla Soy, and Tropical Pineapple Soy.
- Creamers: For coffee or tea, made from soy or almond. Flavors like Vanilla Soy, Original Soy, Hazelnut Soy, Vanilla Almond, Caramel Almond, and Hazelnut Almond.
- Almond Milk: Many options including Vanilla, Original, Organic Original, Dark Chocolate, Unsweetened Vanilla, Unsweetened, Light Vanilla, and Light Original.
- Cashew Milk: Available in Original, Unsweetened, Unsweetened Vanilla, and Chocolate.
- Coconut Milk: Flavors include Vanilla, Original, and Unsweetened.
- Almond+Coconut Blend: A mix of almond and coconut milk in Original and Unsweetened blends.
- Protein Nut Milk: Options with 2g Sugar, Vanilla, and Chocolate.
- Oat Yeah! OatMilk: Includes The Plain One, Vanilla, Zero Sugar, and Oatmeal Cookie Creamer.
See also
