The Co-operators invests in InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund

GUELPH, ON, July 5, 2016

The InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund II focuses on high-growth, expansion-stage private companies in North America that are promoting health and sustainability in the food and agricultural sector. The Fund is managed by InvestEco Capital, a leader in impact investing in Canada. Previous investments made by InvestEco include companies such as Vital Farms, Organic Meadow, Maple Hill Creamery and 100km Foods. The Fund is marketed to Canadian accredited investors only. 

"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. "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."

"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. "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."

About InvestEco Capital Corp.
InvestEco Capital Corp. is a Toronto-based venture capital investment firm focused on high-growth sustainable companies. Since its inception in 2002, InvestEco has invested in eighteen private companies. These range from companies that are developing renewable energy, water technologies, resource productivity technologies and efficient transportation solutions, to companies that promote health and sustainability in the food and agriculture sector. Today, InvestEco is primarily focused on sustainable food and agriculture, funding many leading food and agriculture brands across North America. For more information visit www.investeco.com.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products.

The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.