The journey of the Global Phytoplankton Alliance began with a powerful question posed by our founder, David Hunter: Why is Earth’s most nutrient-dense plant not harnessed to fill the nutritional gaps in the modern diet?

Born in British Columbia, Canada, Dave’s life was that of the average man. Years of dedication at his job came at a cost—long days and poor dietary habits left him overweight, constantly fatigued, and suffering from chronic pain. He knew there had to be a better way to achieve sustainable wellness.

That answer came in the form of phytoplankton, a microscopic, single-celled organism no larger than a red blood cell but powerful enough to sustain the entire aquatic food web, from tiny zooplankton to the massive blue whale. Dave first encountered marine phytoplankton while working at a shellfish farm. He witnessed a coworker, who was terminally ill, begin to consume phytoplankton as a joke. A few weeks later, something astonishing happened—the coworker was medically cleared of the previously incurable disease. This incredible story caught the attention of news outlets, leading to thousands of people visiting the farm for phytoplankton. Dave saw firsthand how people returned time and again, and he realized that dedicating his time to building a sustainable and scalable phytoplankton business could change the lives of millions.

Phytoplankton was not new to science. This ancient plant, floating near the surface of the ocean and converting sunlight into life-sustaining energy, was rich in vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential amino acids. It was, quite simply, the purest form of nutrition on the planet. The challenge was that phytoplankton was so small and crucial to nature that no one had been able to harness it as a safe and sustainable human food source.

Determined to bring this hidden gem to the world, Dave founded what would become one of Canada’s most promising health ventures. He spent a decade collaborating with leading algae farmers and scientists and created the world's first commercial phytoplankton product. He named the product after his late mother, Karen Hunter, a dedicated nurse at Maple Ridge Hospital, as a tribute to her legacy of care and compassion. To make this vision a reality, Dave moved his family to Sackville, New Brunswick, to reduce living costs while assembling a dedicated team. The phytoplankton growing facility was established in Cadiz, Spain, where phytoplankton was grown sustainably using micro-filtered Atlantic Ocean water under pharmaceutical-grade safety standards.

Within a year of its launch, Karen Phytoplankton was available in over 180 pharmacies across Atlantic Canada. It soon gained national attention and was even listed by retail giant Costco. The benefits of Karen Phytoplankton extended beyond being a complete source of vitamins and minerals; it supported immune health, cellular function, and detoxification while being vegan, clean, and allergen-free. The supplement created significant buzz in the nutrition world for its unparalleled purity and efficacy.

The Global Phytoplankton Alliance is the evolution of what began in 2005. Supported by expert growers, researchers, health practitioners, and passionate marketers, the Alliance is committed to preserving the quality of this essential nutrient while introducing millions of people to the benefits of phytoplankton. We stand united to ensure that phytoplankton continues to nourish and support the well-being of people worldwide, leaving a legacy of wellness for generations to come.