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Published Jul 8, 2024

559 Matt McLean: Founder of Uncle Matt’s Organic

Join Matt McLean, founder of Uncle Matt's Organic, as he delves into the intricacies of innovating in the organic juice industry amidst distribution challenges and citrus greening disease, while maintaining sustainability and quality, and shares his evolution from a fourth-generation citrus farmer to a leader in organic certification and national brand expansion.
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  • Family Influence

    Matt McLean's journey into organic farming is deeply rooted in his family's history, tracing back four generations of citrus farming in Florida. Initially, he sought to escape the citrus business, but a chance encounter with a German client reignited his passion for agriculture, leading him to explore organic farming. Matt's grandfather's enthusiasm for organic practices, reminiscent of pre-pesticide farming methods, inspired him to pursue this path.

    I really fell in love with my grandfather's and father telling me about the organic philosophy. And then I knew juice from my import export so I thought this could be the perfect storm.

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    This familial influence was pivotal in shaping his vision for Uncle Matt's Organic, transforming a small family operation into a leading organic juice brand 1 2.

       

    Overcoming Challenges

    Transitioning to organic farming presented significant challenges for Matt, including the devastation of his family's citrus groves by severe freezes in the 1980s. Despite these setbacks, he persevered, drawing on his family's resilience and agricultural expertise to rebuild and innovate. The lack of a clear roadmap for organic farming in Florida meant Matt had to rely on his grandfather's and father's knowledge to navigate these uncharted waters.

    We didn't have a roadmap of how to do it...we had to learn as we go.

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    His determination to succeed led to the creation of Uncle Matt's Organic, a testament to overcoming adversity and embracing risk 2 3 4.

       

    Certification Success

    Achieving organic certification was a crucial step for Uncle Matt's Organic, emphasizing the brand's commitment to purity and consumer trust. Matt went beyond standard organic practices by ensuring his products were certified glyphosate residue free, addressing consumer concerns about potential contamination. This certification process involved rigorous testing by independent third parties, reinforcing the brand's dedication to providing clean, trustworthy products.

    We go to the detox project...and they test to make sure that we're glyphosate residue free.

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    This commitment to transparency and quality has helped Uncle Matt's Organic expand its reach to over 20,000 stores nationwide 5.

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