Nature’s Path Foods USA $1.4M Meal and Rest Break Settlement, Washington Hourly Workers May Be Owed a Payment No Claim Form Required

Nature’s Path Foods USA Inc. agreed to pay $1,395,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging it failed to properly compensate employees for missed and noncompliant meal and rest periods in violation of Washington state law. The lawsuit was filed by plaintiff Rick Weidkamp in King County Superior Court, Case No. 25-2-10112-6 SEA, before Judge Jim Rogers.

Here is the most important thing to know before you read further: you do not need to file a claim form. If you qualify, a check will be mailed to you automatically — as long as the Settlement Administrator has your correct address.

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$1,395,000 (Gross)
Claim Deadline	No claim form required — payment mailed automatically
Who Qualifies	Non-exempt hourly employees who worked for Nature’s Path Foods USA in Washington state between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2026
Payout Per Person	TBD — pro rata share of Net Settlement Amount
Proof Required	No
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved — Final Approval Hearing August 7, 2026
Payment Breakdown	40% wages (W-2) / 60% damages, penalties, and interest (1099)
Settlement Administrator	Simpluris
Official Website	settlementnpfu.com
Administrator Phone	(888) 369-3780
Administrator Email	[email protected]
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	July 13, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	August 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. — King County Superior Court, Courtroom E-733, Seattle
Last Updated	May 20, 2026

Current Status of the Nature’s Path Foods Settlement

• The settlement has been preliminarily approved by Judge Jim Rogers of King County Superior Court.
• The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for August 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Jim Rogers, King County Superior Court, 516 Third Avenue, Courtroom E-733, Seattle, WA 98104. The hearing is also accessible remotely via Zoom.
• Settlement payments will be mailed after the Court approves the settlement and all appeals are resolved. All checks will expire and become void 120 days after the date of issuance.
• The opt-out and objection deadline is July 13, 2026. If you take no action, you remain in the class and receive a payment automatically.

What Is This Lawsuit About? Weidkamp v. Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc., Case No. 25-2-10112-6 SEA

Nature’s Path Foods USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Nature’s Path, North America’s largest independent organic breakfast and snack food brand. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Blaine, Washington — just south of the Canadian border — where it produces organic cereals, waffles, granola bars, and other products under brands including Nature’s Path, EnviroKidz, Love Crunch, and Qi’a.

Plaintiff Rick Weidkamp claimed in the lawsuit that Nature’s Path Foods USA violated Washington law by failing to compensate him and other class members for missed and noncompliant meal and rest periods. Nature’s Path denies any wrongdoing.

Washington state has some of the strongest break laws in the country. Under WAC 296-126-092 — the specific regulation at the heart of this case — employers must provide a 30-minute meal break to non-exempt employees for every five hours of work, between the second and fifth working hour. The break is compensable whenever employees are required to remain on duty on the premises or at a prescribed work site in the interest of the employer.

Washington law also requires a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours of work, scheduled as near as possible to the midpoint of the four-hour work period. Non-exempt employees cannot be required to work more than three hours without a paid rest break.

The lawsuit also cites violations of RCW Chapters 49.12, 49.46, 49.48, and 49.52 — Washington’s core wage and hour statutes — and WAC Chapter 296-126, the state’s labor standards regulations. The claims include violations of these statutes, along with claims for injunctive relief, damages, penalties, interest, liquidated damages, and attorneys’ fees.

In plain English: if workers at the Blaine, Washington facility missed breaks, had their breaks cut short, or were required to remain on duty during what should have been a rest or meal period — without being properly compensated — that is what this lawsuit is about. This type of unpaid wages lawsuit is one of the most common forms of employment class action in Washington state.

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Are You Part of the Nature’s Path Foods USA Settlement?

Defendant’s records show you are part of the Settlement Class if you worked as a non-exempt hourly employee for Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc. between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2026 — the Settlement Class Period.

You may be part of this class if:

• You worked as a non-exempt (hourly) employee for Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc. in Washington state at any time between March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2026
• You held an hourly, non-management position at the company’s Washington facility — including production, manufacturing, warehouse, or similar roles
• You are a current or former employee — both are included
• You experienced missed, shortened, or on-duty meal or rest periods that were not properly compensated

You are likely NOT included if:

• You worked for Nature’s Path Foods USA only outside Washington state
• You were classified as an exempt salaried employee — the class covers non-exempt hourly workers only
• You are a named defendant or an officer/director of the company

If you are unsure whether you are included, contact the Settlement Administrator at (888) 369-3780 or [email protected].

How Much Will You Get From the Nature’s Path Foods Settlement?

The individual payout amount is not fixed — it is calculated on a pro rata basis from the Net Settlement Amount, which is the $1,395,000 gross fund minus court-approved attorneys’ fees, costs, and the plaintiff’s service award.

Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve attorneys’ fees of $465,000 plus costs and expenses of $15,000, and a service award for plaintiff Rick Weidkamp of $25,000 — all paid from the gross settlement amount.

After those deductions, the remaining net fund is divided among all eligible class members based on each worker’s proportional share — likely weighted by the number of workweeks or hours worked during the class period. The more time you worked for Nature’s Path Foods USA in Washington during the class period, the larger your share is likely to be.

Settlement payments will be characterized as 40% wages — reported on a W-2 — and 60% damages, penalties, and interest — reported on a 1099. This means part of your payment will be treated as ordinary income for tax purposes, and the rest may be treated differently. Consult a tax professional if you have questions about the tax treatment of your specific payment.

How to Make Sure You Get Your Nature’s Path Foods Settlement Payment

This is the most important practical step for current and former employees: you do not file a claim. The settlement is designed to pay eligible workers automatically from Defendant’s employment records.

However, if you did not receive notice by mail or your mailing address has changed, you must contact the Settlement Administrator to ensure they have an updated address for your settlement payment.

Here is what to do right now:

1. Confirm your address — If you have moved since working at Nature’s Path Foods USA, contact the Settlement Administrator immediately so your check reaches you. Payments returned as undeliverable may result in you missing your payment.
2. Contact the administrator — Call (888) 369-3780, email [email protected], or write to: Rick Weidkamp v. Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc., c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799.
3. Do nothing else — If your address is current and you received the notice, simply wait. You will receive your check in the mail after Final Approval on August 7, 2026 and resolution of any appeals.
4. Do not opt out unless you plan to sue separately — If you request to be excluded, you will not receive a settlement payment. However, you will retain any rights you may have to sue Nature’s Path Foods USA for the same claims independently.

Note that if you do nothing and the Court approves the settlement, you will still receive a payment and will be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court, the Settlement Agreement, and its included release. You will not be able to file a separate lawsuit against Nature’s Path Foods USA for the claims resolved in this settlement.

What Rights Are You Giving Up by Participating?

By staying in the class and accepting a payment, you release Nature’s Path Foods USA from claims related to meal and rest break violations that occurred during the class period. Specifically, each participating class member irrevocably releases and discharges the released parties from all claims during the class period that were alleged or could have been alleged in the action arising out of the facts and circumstances alleged in the action, including claims under RCW Chapters 49.12, 49.46, 49.48, and 49.52, violations of WAC Chapter 296-126, and related damages, penalties, interest, liquidated damages, exemplary damages, and attorneys’ fees.

This release covers meal and rest break claims only for the class period. Participating in the settlement does not waive claims outside the release. If you have claims against Nature’s Path Foods USA for different issues — discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage issues outside this class period — those are not affected by this settlement.

How to Opt Out or Object to the Nature’s Path Foods Settlement

To opt out (exclude yourself):

Send a letter postmarked no later than July 13, 2026, to the Settlement Administrator at P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799. Your exclusion request must include your full name, address, a statement that you wish to be excluded from the settlement, and your signature and date. You cannot exclude yourself by phone or email.

To object:

File a written objection with the King County Superior Court, 516 Third Avenue, Room C-203, Seattle, WA 98104, no later than July 13, 2026. Your objection must include your full name, address, phone, email, the case name and number, your reasons for objecting, and your signature. You must also mail copies to Class Counsel at Emery Reddy, PC, 600 Stewart Street, Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98101 and to Defendant’s counsel at Jackson Lewis P.C., 520 Pike Street, Suite 2300, Seattle, WA 98101.

Key Deadlines — Nature’s Path Foods USA Settlement

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	2025
Preliminary Approval Granted	TBD — confirmed by settlement website being active
Opt-Out Deadline	July 13, 2026
Objection Deadline	July 13, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	August 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. — King County Superior Court, Seattle
Expected Payment Mailing	TBD — after final approval and resolution of any appeals
Check Expiration	120 days after issuance date

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file a claim form for the Nature’s Path Foods settlement? 

No. All Settlement Class Members who do not exclude themselves from the settlement will be eligible to receive a payment. If the Court approves the settlement and you did not exclude yourself, you will receive a settlement payment in the mail. The only action required is confirming the Settlement Administrator has your current address.

Who qualifies for this settlement?

 You are part of the Settlement Class if you worked as a non-exempt hourly employee for Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc. in Washington state between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2026.

What happens if I do nothing?

 If you do nothing and the Court approves the settlement, you will be in the Settlement Class, receive a payment in the mail upon confirmation of address, and be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court and the Settlement Agreement.

Will Nature’s Path Foods retaliate against me for participating?

 No. Nature’s Path Foods fully supports the settlement and will not retaliate in any way against any Settlement Class Member for participating. Your decision to participate, not participate, or object will not affect your employment or the company’s treatment of you as a current or former employee.

When will I receive my Nature’s Path Foods settlement payment?

 If the Court approves the settlement at the August 7, 2026 hearing, eligible class members who did not exclude themselves will be mailed a check after all appeals and other reviews are completed. Realistically, payments are unlikely before late 2026 or early 2027.

Is this settlement an admission that Nature’s Path Foods broke the law? 

No. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Nature’s Path Foods USA. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty, risks, and expense of ongoing litigation, and so Settlement Class Members receive compensation now rather than years later — if ever.

What law did Nature’s Path Foods allegedly violate?

The core regulation at issue is WAC 296-126-092, which requires employers to provide a 30-minute meal break for every five hours of work and a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours of work. The claims also involve violations of RCW Chapters 49.12, 49.46, 49.48, and 49.52 — Washington state’s key wage and hour laws.

What if I moved and did not receive the notice in the mail? 

Contact the Settlement Administrator immediately to update your address at (888) 369-3780 or [email protected]. If the administrator does not have a current address for you, you may not receive your payment even if the settlement is approved.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website — Weidkamp v. Nature’s Path Foods USA, Inc., Case No. 25-2-10112-6 SEA — settlementnpfu.com
• Settlement FAQ — settlementnpfu.com/faq
• Important Dates — settlementnpfu.com/dates
• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries — Meal and Rest Break Requirements — lni.wa.gov
• WAC 296-126-092 — Washington Administrative Code, Meal Periods and Rest Periods

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official settlement website for Case No. 25-2-10112-6 SEA (King County Superior Court) and Washington State Department of Labor & Industries labor standards. Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.