Califia Farms Aims to Replace Dairy the Delicious Way

Photo: Califia Farms

Some brands change habits. Califia Farms wants to change the whole food system. Today, we honor Califia Farms as the Seeing Green Solutionist of the Day.

A Mission to Replace Dairy Without Compromise

Inspired by the bounty and optimism of its home state, this California-born company is on a mission to create a future where plants replace dairy without compromise. It’s an ambitious vision grounded in something simple: when plant-based options taste great and perform well, choosing them becomes easy.

California Roots and a Sustainability Mindset

Califia grew from a partnership between founder Greg Steltenpohl and a farmer’s co-op in the San Joaquin Valley. What started as a small, California-born idea has become one of the fastest-growing beverage companies in the natural channel, and the number one plant-based dairy alternative brand in that space. Grounded in its agricultural roots and shaped by a spirit of innovation, Califia continues to reimagine what modern plant-based beverages can be.

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A Plant-Based Lineup Built for Real Life

What’s kept Califia ahead, though, is the sheer range of what they make. Almond, oat, coconut and specialty blends for every taste. Silky plant milks for cereal and cooking. Barista blends that froth like a dream. Indulgent creamers for that perfect cup. Ready-to-drink lattes, cold brew, teas and seasonal favorites that always sell out. Even kitchen staples like Better Half and Heavy Whip, which make going dairy-free in recipes feel effortless. Across the lineup, versatility is the point. Whether you’re blending, baking, simmering or steaming, everything is designed to perform.

And taste? It’s their first, second, and third priority. That’s why so many people aren’t simply dabbling in dairy-free anymore, they’re choosing Califia because they genuinely prefer the flavor.

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Why It Matters: Good for You, Good for Planet

As studies show, a plant-based, dairy-free lifestyle supports heart health, helps maintain healthy cholesterol and meets the needs of the 60%+ of the population with lactose sensitivity. Califia’s products rely on simple ingredients rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and phytonutrients — proof that nutritious and delicious can sit at the same table.

Behind the deliciousness is a climate and planet story that’s impossible to ignore. If half the world switched from dairy to plant-based milk for a year, the impact would be staggering: 10.6 billion gallons of water saved, 215,000 acres of land freed up and more than 189,000 metric tons of CO₂ avoided. That’s the equivalent of taking nearly half a billion car miles off the road, protecting 120,000+ soccer fields worth of land, and preserving more than sixteen thousand Olympic pools of water. Plant-based isn’t just a diet shift, it’s climate action.

Califia’s sustainability work goes far beyond what’s inside the bottle. They’re shifting to 100% recycled plastic bottles, improving recyclability with washable ink labels and moving their packaging toward a circular model that cuts waste at the source. They’re supporting farmers who grow their almonds, oats, coffee, cocoa and vanilla, including partners investing in next-generation practices like biochar that build healthier soil and store carbon long-term. And at their Bakersfield facility, which runs on renewable energy, more than 90% of materials are kept out of landfills as part of an effort that has diverted more than 12 million pounds since 2020.

A People-First Approach to Community Impact

Their community impact is just as intentional. From volunteer programs and food justice partnerships in Los Angeles and Bakersfield to an inclusive workplace where more than half of senior leaders are women, Califia is building a culture where sustainability includes people, not just products. They’re also helping students embrace plant-based living by rolling out plant-milk dispensers in more than 150 campus dining halls, supporting colleges working to lower their food-related footprints.

Helping People Cook Plant-Based With 300+ Recipes

And because food culture is shaped by possibilities, not pressure, Califia removes friction by offering more than 300 plant-based recipes, everything from smoothies and lattes to soups, desserts and holiday favorites. It’s one of the easiest ways they spark curiosity and help people imagine what plant-based living can look like at home.

Califia Farms is a Seeing Green Solutionist because they show what’s possible when sustainability, taste, performance, and innovation all move in the same direction. They’re not just making dairy-free easy. They’re reshaping the idea of what modern plant-based living can be.