Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017 - 2

Introducing Great Plains Quinoa

Watch this video to learn more about
Ardent Mills Great Plains Quinoa™

The quinoa plant adapts to different
ecological environments and climates and
is resistant to drought, poor soils and high
salinity. This flexibility is how quinoa is now
being grown in North America.
"Ardent Mills is launching its identitypreserved Great Plains Quinoa with the
largest quinoa growing network in North
America," said Mrs. White. "Our growers
started with a white variety of quinoa that is a tan to creamy in
color with an unmistakably nutty, earthy flavor, which grows on the
high prairie and is traceable to the source."

U.S. Sales of Quinoa Products
600

Millions of USD

L

ike many ancient grains, quinoa continues
to grow its presence in the retail and
foodservice industries as a result of its
versatility and nutritional density. In fact, of all
the ancient grains-a term applied to grains
that have not been hybridized or modified-
quinoa is the most-consumed ancient grain in
the U.S.
"As demand for quinoa grows, food
manufacturers and food service operators are seeking out a stable,
price-predictable and consistent year-round supply," said Shrene
White, General Manager of Specialty, Ardent Mills, Denver. "To
meet these needs, Ardent Mills has formed a partnership with North
American growers to provide a reliable supply to the industry, one
that is not dependent on the traditional and unpredictable supply
chain starting with South American imports."
Quinoa is the common name for Chenopodium quinoa, which
is a grain crop grown for its edible seeds. Its origins are the highaltitude region of the Andes on the western side of South America.
Though quinoa has been consumed forever in South America, only
in the past decade has it been embraced in the U.S.
Quinoa's popularity went mainstream in 2013 when the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) declared
it to be the International Year of Quinoa. Because of its superior
nutrition, the FAO believes that quinoa can play an important role
in eradicating hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Quinoa is comparable in energy to similarly eaten foods such
as beans, maize, rice and wheat, according to FAO. In addition,
quinoa is notable as a good source of quality protein, dietary
fiber, polyunsaturated fats and minerals. It's also a glutenfree grain that has never been genetically modified and has a
glycemic index of 53.

500
400
300
200
100
0

2012

2016

From 2012 to 2016, dollar sales of packaged foods with quinoa
flagged on the package increased more than 700%, according
to Nielsen data.

"There are currently over 100 family farms growing quinoa,
with plans for red and black quinoa in the near future," she said.
"Organic farms are also in development."
Ardent Mills Great Plains Quinoa™ is now available in various
formats including whole seeds, flour, crisps and flakes. Ardent Mills also
offers customized multi-grain blends and bakery and pizza crust mixes.
"Snack bars are currently the number-one application," said
Laurie Scanlin, manager of research, quality and technical. "We
are seeing more cereals, snacks, side dishes and entrees featuring
quinoa. Innovative applications include flatbreads, tortillas and
even sweet treats like confections, cakes and cookies."
This North American quinoa allows Ardent Mills to Nourish what's
next by bringing consistent, year-round supply of cost-competitive
quinoa to the market.

North American-grown Ardent Mills Great Plains Quinoa™ comes
in a range of forms, including flour, flakes, seeds and crisps.



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017

Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017 - 1
Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017 - 2
Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017 - 3
Growing Grain Innovation, Ardent Mills 2017 - 4
https://www.nxtbook.com/sosland/ArdentMills/plant-forward-ardent-mills
https://www.nxtbook.com/sosland/ArdentMills/special-category-report-the-rise-of-organic-grains-and-flours
https://www.nxtbook.com/sosland/ArdentMills/2017_03_01
https://www.nxtbook.com/sosland/ArdentMills/2016_03_01
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com