By Lynda Kiernan
Leading flour-milling and ingredient company Ardent Mills announced the expansion of its specialty grain capabilities and The Annex, its specialty grain and plant-based ingredient unit, with the acquisition of quinoa sourcing, cleaning, and packaging operations in Yuba, California, from Andean Naturals.
Ardent Mills was created through a joint venture encompassing the flour milling operations of Cargill Inc., CHS Inc., and ConAgra Foods Inc., controlling approximately one third of the U.S. flour market. Today, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company’s operations span more than 35 flour mills and bakery-mix facilities, as well as a specialty bakery and Mobile Innovation Center, across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
“The formation of Ardent Mills will provide expanded opportunities for wheat growers and co-ops because the new company’s asset base will provide additional sourcing opportunities. In addition, Ardent Mills’ product innovation capabilities and other strengths will enable these wheat growers to further connect to the consumer marketplace,” said Gary Rodkin, CEO, ConAgra Foods in 2013 when the venture was announced.
Five years later, in 2018, Ardent Mills launched The Annex, a new business unit dedicated to “‘next’ grains and unique plant-based ingredients”. Operating as a company-within-a-company, The Annex’ identifies, sources, grows and pioneers a range of offerings from organic and heirloom grains, to cutting-edge ingredients, custom multigrain blends, and finished breads. The unit now manages a broad portfolio that includes ancient and heirloom grains, organic grains and flours, sprouted wheat, and chickpeas, along with innovative products such as Sustagrain® High-Fiber Barley and White Sonora, an heirloom wheat.
The addition of the Yuba City assets will give Ardent Mills its first gluten-free sourcing and cleaning facility with the ability to expand to include additional grains.
“Our industry is rapidly changing as consumers’ appetite for variety in their diets continues to increase,” said Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills. “As a result, we are making proactive investments in The Annex to meet consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious grains and other sources of plant-based ingredients. With this acquisition, we will be able to offer a complete solution for quinoa and other gluten-free ingredients.”
This milestone follows upon a string of achievements for The Annex, following its acquisition of an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon; the forging of a new partnership with Colorado Quinoa to mill and market quinoa grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley; and its recent investment in its existing mill in the River North Art District of Denver to clean and pack specialty grains.
“In The Annex, we are proud to offer ingredients from passionate, knowledgeable farmers, and this purchase continues that tradition,” said Shrene White, general manager, The Annex. “This company is a longtime leader in quinoa sourcing, cleaning and packing in North America with extensive industry knowledge, grower relationships and a fantastic reputation. This acquisition further supports our commitment to what’s next in grain and plant-based innovation.”
Under the terms of the deal, Sergio Nunez de Arco, president and founder of Andean Naturals, will join Ardent Mills.
“For Andean Naturals, this mutually beneficial acquisition is the natural progression of our mission to share quinoa with the world,” said Nunez de Arco.
“While we’ve built expertise in quinoa sourcing and connections to South American farmers, Ardent Mills brings milling and technical expertise, access to markets and the ability to scale quickly with a sustainable approach. Our team is excited to be a part of Ardent Mills, offering a similar values-based culture and solid vision for growth.”
– Lynda Kiernan is Editor with GAI Media and daily contributor to the GAI News and Agtech Intel platforms. If you would like to submit a contribution for consideration, please contact Ms. Kiernan at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.