News on organic grains, ancient grains, frozen fruit and other interesting updates from the food business world.
General Mills To Double Organic Acreage Sourcing To Meet Growing Demand For Natural And Organic Foods
General Mills announced released a statement that it plans to accelerate its commitment to more than double the organic acreage from which it sources organic ingredients.
General Mills executive vice president announced that the company expects to reach $1 billion in net sales from natural and organic products by 2019.
General Mills is the second largest buyer of organic fruit and vegetables in the North American packaged food sector, and by moving its $1 billion net sales target from 2020 to 2019, it’s showing it has no plans to slow down growth in this segment – having already increased the organic acreage it supports by 120 percent since 2009.
Since 2000, General Mills has acquired a portfolio of natural and organic brands that totaled $675 million dollars in pro forma net sales in Fiscal Year 2015, ranking General Mills the third largest natural and organic food maker in the U.S. The portfolio includes Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, LÄRABAR, Liberté, Mountain High, Food Should Taste Good, Immaculate Baking, and Annie’s. In January, the company acquired meat snacks maker EPIC Provisions.
Sprout launches baby food with Puffed Quinoa and Ancient Grain baby crisps
The trend in Quinoa puffs and other forms of processed quinoa is becoming more apparent as Sprout announced a major expansion of its organic baby and toddler food line last week with the addition of 15 new purees and snacks, including the category’s first quinoa-based puff and ancient grain-based crisp products.
The launch happened at Expo West 2016 and the statement released by the company states “With over 50 SKUs now in its portfolio, Sprout is the only brand that has pledged to formulate its baby and toddler puree products with only organic, non-GMO whole fruits and vegetables, no concentrates, and no preservatives, fillers or thickeners. Sprout is also the first brand to commit to honest labelling, ensuring the names of their varieties match the primary ingredients in the recipe. To reinforce its commitment to transparency in labelling and ingredients, Sprout has added an honestly pledge to its baby and toddler puree packaging.”
They also released a range of whole grain and fruit snack made with sorghum, amaranth and quinoa with a taste and texture appropriate for toddlers – available in Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry flavors.
11% growth in natural and organic foods in the USA last year
foodbusinessnews.net report that the segment is seeing growth as a result of consumer demand, with 57% of these sales coming from the mass market channel. They report that “A key theme behind a number of trends in product development displayed at Expo West is a back-to-basics approach to food.”
Big growth in Exports from South America
Yuma News Now report on a trade mission of US businesses to Peru and Chile.
Quote: “South America has been one of the fastest-growing world regions for exports of U.S. farm and food products, and Chile and Peru have been among the most rapidly growing markets in the region,” said Vilsack. “I look forward to joining U.S. agricultural leaders to explore the many market opportunities that exist in this part of the world, particularly in light of the fact that both Chile and Peru are part of the TPP.”
Meanwhile in Argentina all the main newspapers are writing about a miracle in Argentina that is just normal in any other country: Macri as president has visited the Expoagro agricultural show and was the first president to attend in 10 years. His visit was a huge sign of the support the agricultural sector can expect from him and his cabinet, and it’s great news for farmers and exporters alike.
He said that the agro is the main financial driver for the country and pledged extra investment to increase wealth and employment.
Angelina Jolie promotes Ancient Grains Diet
Ancient Grains gets a celebrity endorsement from Hollywood. Last week, mic.com released an article about Angelina Jolie’s ancient grain diet: “She’s into eating products made from ancient grains and raves about their health benefits,”
