Califia Farms has announced the passing of the company’s founder and plant-based pioneer, Greg Steltenpohl, aged 67.

Steltenpohl stepped down from his position as CEO of Califia Farms last September, but remained on the board as an executive director.

“It is with a heavy heart we share the news of the passing of our company’s founder, Greg Steltenpohl,” the company said in a statement.

“He built the Califia Farms brand from the ground up with a passion for nourishing people and the planet. Greg touched so many lives on his plant-fuelled journey to make the world a healthier place. He will be profoundly missed. We tip our hats to our visionary founder,” the company wrote.

Prior to launching Califia Farms in 2010, Steltenpohl founded Odwalla Juice Company, which was later acquired by The Coca-Cola Company. Califia Farms specialises in the production of plant-based beverages such as oat milks, nitro cold brew coffees, and mushroom oat and hemp blends.

Under Steltenpohl’s leadership, Califia Farms attracted a wide range of investors, securing $225 million in Series D financing last year.

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