Sweet 16 Acts of Love: Celebrating 16 Years of Love Crunch and the Power of Giving Back

Our love of granola began with a wedding favor. 

Sixteen years ago, Love Crunch® Granola was created as a heartfelt thank-you—an organic granola blend shared with friends and family at the wedding of Nature’s Path president Arjan Stephens and health and nutrition strategist Dr. Rimjhim Duggal Stephens. Instead of gifts, guests were invited to give back through acts of service. That simple, deeply personal moment planted the seed for something much bigger. 

Today, Love Crunch is celebrating its Sweet 16—and honoring its roots the best way it knows how: by spreading love far beyond the breakfast bowl. 

Introducing Sweet 16 Acts of Love 

To mark this milestone, Nature’s Path is launching Sweet 16 Acts of Love, a nationwide initiative centered on community, compassion, and connection. In partnership with Feed the Children, the campaign brings hands-on volunteer events to 16 cities across the United States, with additional activations in Canada, all kicking off during Valentine’s week. 

At each stop, volunteers will come together to pack and distribute food for families facing food insecurity—turning shared moments of service into tangible support for local communities. It’s a celebration rooted not in cake or candles, but in collective action, purpose, and care. 

A Partnership Built on Shared Values 

Love Crunch was founded on the belief that food can do more than nourish—it can bring people together and help lift others up. That belief has guided Nature’s Path’s long-standing partnership with Feed the Children, which now spans nearly two decades. 

Together, the two organizations have mobilized more than 135,000 units of specialized aid, including organic oatmeal for families recovering from natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires, as well as baby food and snacks delivered to communities across North America. Through Sweet 16 Acts of Love, that impact will continue to grow in 2026, helping deliver hundreds of thousands more meals to families in need across the U.S. and Canada. 

“Love Crunch was founded on the belief that food can be a powerful way to give back,” said Arjan Stephens. “By working alongside Feed the Children, we’re able to support families with organic nourishment and community-centered care—at moments when it matters most.” 

From One Act of Love to Millions of Meals 

What started as a single act of generosity has grown into a brand defined by the purpose of leaving the earth better than we found it. 

Love Crunch’s giveback model is anchored in Bite4Bite™, Nature’s Path’s long-running commitment to donate food to food banks across the U.S. and Canada. Every year, Love Crunch contributes at least $2 million worth of organic food, and to date, the program has donated more than CAD $57 million to help feed communities in need. 

Beyond donations, Love Crunch is crafted with purpose—from responsibly sourced ingredients to a long-standing commitment to 100% organic and Fair Trade chocolate. From 2021 to 2025, Nature’s Path contributed CAD $714,000 in Fair Trade premiums through our supplier partners. Over the years, these premiums have supported community development projects and helped advance more socially and environmentally responsible practices across the supply chain. Sixteen Cities. Countless Acts of Care. 

Sweet 16 Acts of Love brings this mission to life through hands-on service. Beginning at Feed the Children’s headquarters in Oklahoma City, volunteers will gather in cities across the country, including: 

Each event represents a shared commitment to showing up for neighbors, strengthening local food systems, and reminding families that they are not alone. 

Love That Keeps Growing 

“Love Crunch was born from a simple intention to turn celebration into something meaningful. Sixteen years later, that same spirit lives on through Sweet 16 Acts of Love – showing how small, heartfelt actions can grow into lasting support for families and communities,” said Dr. Rimjhim Duggal Stephens, health and nutrition strategist, Nature’s Path. 

As Love Crunch looks ahead, its purpose remains unchanged: to create food that tastes good, does good, and brings people together. Because every act of love—no matter how small—has the power to make an impact. 

Join Us in Spreading the Love 

Sweet 16 Acts of Love is a celebration of what’s possible when communities come together with open hearts and helping hands. Whether you’re volunteering at an event, sharing a meal, or simply choosing Love Crunch at the store, you’re part of this story.