The Start of a Juicy Tale

It was in 1945 that after three years of experimentation the National Research Corporation (NRC) of Boston, Massachusetts developed a flavourful orange juice powder from real, delicious oranges. It was made using the same "high-vacuum process" used to dehydrate and prolong the life of such things as penicillin.

A New Segment

In response to the U.S. Army issuing an open order for 500,000 pounds of powdered orange juice the NRC organized the Florida Foods Corporation headed by John M. (Jack) Fox. The new company quickly opened a pilot plant in the heart of the Florida citrus belt.

With the end of the war in sight, the U.S. Army contract was cancelled but the company moved ahead, beginning construction on a full-scale processing plant.

Converting the powdered orange juice into a commercial product proved to be trickier than planned. The solution was an intermediate step - frozen orange juice concentrate which had a rich, fresh-squeezed taste.

The Minute Maid® Name

Now, the product needed a name. From the city famous for its Minutemen militia, a Boston advertising agency came up with the name "Minute Maid" reflecting the convenience and ease of preparation.

A Squeeze Above the Rest

With no additional funds for advertising, Jack Fox began a campaign of his own. Going door-to-door in his hometown of Hingham, Massachusetts he offered free samples. Demand soared, emptying stores of their supply.

Just a few short years later, the Florida Foods Corporations was renamed The Minute Maid Company to reflect the success of the product.

In 1960, the Minute Maid Company was purchased by The Coca‑Cola Company.

In Canada, it was in the 1950's that the Minute Maid Company made its first Canadian acquisition with Clinton Foods of Canada. In 1985 it became known as Coca‑Cola Foods Canada Inc. and in 1996 the name changed a final time to the Minute Maid Company Canada Inc.

While frozen orange juice concentrate is still a family favourite, today The Minute Maid Company Canada Inc. offers a variety of products and flavours. You'll find delicious, ready to drink orange juices, juice blends and fortified juices as well as punches, cocktails and light beverages. But one thing has always stayed the same, the attributes the brand was created on - taste, quality, convenience and most importantly, nutrition.