For more than 25 years, Greens First has been rooted in one simple idea: helping people put their health first.
What started as a passion for real nutrition grew into something much bigger — a daily ritual shared by families across generations. And at the center of it all has always been family itself.
This Father’s Day, we sat down with founder Stuart Benson and his son, CEO, Ryan, to talk about the story behind Greens First, what continues to inspire them after all these years, and what it’s been like building the business together as father and son.
What inspired you to create Greens First more than 25 years ago?
STUART:
“Parents and children thought French fries were a vegetable. Research was starting to come out about the antioxidant benefits of fruits and vegetables and the need to supplement with additional superfoods.”
RYAN:
“Greens First was originally created by my father, Stuart Benson, after seeing firsthand how poor nutrition was impacting people’s health and energy levels. He wanted to create a simple, convenient way for people to get more nutrient-dense foods into their daily routine.
For me personally, what inspires me today is continuing that mission and helping introduce Greens First to a new generation. It’s incredibly meaningful to be part of a company that was built with the genuine intention of helping people feel better and live healthier lives.”
When creating the original formula — and continuing to optimize it over the years — what has been most important to you?
STUART:
“Taste, taste, taste. It’s the only way to ensure that customers will stick with it.”
RYAN:
“The most important thing, in addition to quality, has been taste. We take pride in being known as THE BEST TASTING GREENS.
Today, we have six different flavors, with more on the way. We also continuously pay attention to evolving nutrition research and customer feedback so we can keep improving while staying true to the foundation that made Greens First trusted in the first place.”
What do you think makes Greens First different from other greens powders on the market today?
STUART:
“Our longevity and our taste. Our professional requirements in order to serve the healthcare practitioner market have enabled us to create the highest quality product on the market today.”
RYAN:
“What makes Greens First different is that we were never built around trends — we were built around results.
My father created Greens First more than 25 years ago, long before greens powders became mainstream, with the goal of helping people genuinely improve their health through better daily nutrition.
Today, there are countless products on the market, but many are focused more on branding and hype than quality and effectiveness. We’ve stayed committed to using premium ingredients, science-backed formulations, and maintaining the trust we’ve built with healthcare professionals and families for decades.
Being family-owned also allows us to stay focused on quality over shortcuts.”
How has the wellness industry changed since Greens First launched more than 25 years ago?
STUART:
“It has certainly gotten more competitive, which is good because the public is now more focused on health and nutrition. The problem can be some ‘quick buck’ entrants who use hyperbole and create illegitimacy.”
RYAN:
“The wellness industry has changed dramatically. When Greens First first launched, concepts like probiotics, gut health, greens supplementation, and functional nutrition were far less common than they are today.
Now wellness is everywhere, which is exciting, but it has also created a very crowded market with a lot of quick trends. Today, many consumers choose nutritional products based on influencer content, whereas Greens First has truly been healthcare-provider recommended for decades.
I think consumers today are looking for brands they can trust, and that’s something we’re proud of after more than 25 years in business.”
What has it been like working together for so long as father and son?
STUART:
“It has been my greatest pleasure and a dream come true. My son shares the passion of REAL nutrition. Of course, we have our father-son moments, but something positive always comes from them.”
RYAN:
“It’s been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned so much from my father — not just about nutrition and business, but about integrity, consistency, and genuinely caring about customers.
Like any family business, there are challenges, but there’s also a shared purpose that makes it very special. Being able to continue building Greens First with my father is something I’m extremely grateful for.”
Why has keeping Greens First family-owned and family-run always mattered to you?
STUART:
“Once ‘big corporate’ comes onto the landscape, the customer is not looked at individually. Keeping it a family business allows personal relationships and caring for each customer as an extension of our family.”
RYAN:
“Being family-owned allows us to stay true to our values and our mission. We don’t answer to outside investors or large corporations focused on short-term profits.
Every decision we make is centered around quality, customer trust, and creating products we genuinely believe in. Our name is attached to everything we produce, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
What does “Put Your Health First” personally mean to you?
STUART:
“Health is wealth. No matter what life throws at you — and it will — health is the most important.”
RYAN:
“To me, ‘Put Your Health First’ means being proactive about your wellness instead of waiting until there’s a problem. Small daily habits — nutrition, movement, sleep, consistency — can completely change how you feel and function over time.”
What’s one thing you hope customers feel when they start taking Greens First every day?
STUART:
“Energy, alertness, focus, and a general sense of wellbeing. Also, a personal satisfaction that you are taking care of yourself.”
RYAN:
“I hope they feel better overall — more energy, better digestion, and more confidence that they’re doing something positive for their health every single day.”
What are the Benson family favorite Greens First flavors right now?
STUART:
“Original Mint, Peach Mango, and Strawberry Kiwi.”
RYAN:
“Right now, I’d say Peach Mango. It tastes so good just mixed with cold water, but I especially enjoy it in smoothies and healthy ice cream recipes.
I also still love the classic Original Mint because that flavor has been part of Greens First for over 25 years.”
What’s next for Greens First?
STUART:
“Our focus is on simple whole-food nutrition. Food is medicine. We continue to stay focused on research-backed whole-food ingredients that have clinically shown benefits — not short-term trends, but long-term health and longevity.”
RYAN:
“We’re incredibly excited about the future. Our focus is continuing to innovate while staying true to the values that built Greens First over the last 25 years.
We’re expanding our product offerings, growing our online community, and introducing Greens First to a whole new generation while continuing to maintain the trust we’ve earned with healthcare professionals and loyal customers over the years.”
At the end of the day, Greens First has always been about more than greens powder.
It’s about creating simple daily habits that help people feel better, support their families, and take care of themselves in a sustainable way — one scoop at a time.
And for the Benson family, that mission has always started at home.
