The Co-operators, a Canadian co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under management, has made an undisclosed significant investment in the InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund II as it works to grow its impact investment portfolio.

“We are committed to impact investing because we believe that our invested assets can and should not only help us meet our organization’s financial targets, but also our goal of making communities healthier and more sustainable for future generations,” said Bruce West, executive vice-president, finance and chief financial officer at The Co-operators in a recent press release. “We hope that our investment in the InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund II will serve this dual purpose of achieving financial as well as social and environmental returns.”

Managed by Toronto-based impact investment leader, InvestEco Capital, the InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund II targets investments in expansion-stage, high growth companies across North America that foster sustainability in the agricultural and food sectors.

Launched in 2002, InvestEco has invested in eighteen privately held companies including Vital Farms, Organic Meadow, Maple Hill Creamery, and 100km Foods. Companies included in the InvestEco portfolio typically have between one million and $30 million in revenues at the point of initial commitment, with InvestEco usually holding their investment position for about seven years, according to the firm’s website.

“We are delighted to have The Co-operators as an investor in our Fund,” said Andrew Heintzman, CEO and co-founder of InvestEco Capital Corp in a recent statement. “We believe The Co-operators brings real value to our Fund through their networks and expertise. Their focus on investments that are both profitable and also generate social and environmental returns is a perfect fit for our Fund.”

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Lynda Kiernan