What Is Barleans?

Barlean's Organic Oils is a family-run farm, fishery and organic seed mill based in Ferndale, Wash. The company sells fresh flaxseed oil, other oils and related nutritional supplements under the Barlean's brand to stores all over the country and internationally. Products also can be bought online from the company's website.

History

• The business originated as a fishery in 1972 run by Dave and Barbara Barlean. With the decline of the fishing industry, the company shifted its focus to pressing organic flaxseed oil in 1989. Barlean's oil first appeared as a consumer brand in 1992. The Barlean children, Bruce, Jo Ann, Karen and Cindy, also are involved in running the company.

Methods

• Barlean's presses its flaxseed on the same day that orders are received and ships immediately to retail stores instead of shipping to a distributor as a means of preserving the freshness of the product. Barlean's requires stores to replace its products every four months instead of the usual one year shelf life on flax oil products.

Products

• Barleans sells flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil capsules, ground flaxseed, fish oil, specialty oils (such as coconut oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil), and olive leaf complex. The company also makes the flax oil blends Total Omega, The Essential Woman and Omega Twin. Barlean's Greens are blends of plant-based ingredients such as barley, wheat and parsley. The Omega Swirl, which is flax and fish oil blended into a fruit smoothie, is geared toward children.

Availability

• Barlean's products are sold online and in health food stores across the United States. International importers also distribute Barlean's products in Canada, Europe and China.