“General Mills Explores Perennial Grains: A Step Towards Sustainable Ingredients in Food Manufacturing”

General Mills is considering adding perennial grain to its ingredient lineup as food manufacturers increasingly seek new, eco-friendly methods to source their components. This shift not only benefits their financial performance but also aligns with the growing consumer interest in the origins of their food. Major companies like Wal-Mart, Unilever, and PepsiCo have committed to relying more on agricultural suppliers who contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and optimizing water usage. Target revealed last year that it is exploring vertical farming for some of its locations, where it would cultivate plants and vegetables indoors under controlled conditions, selling the produce directly to customers from in-store gardens. Other retailers, including at least one Whole Foods store, are also growing their own produce by utilizing rooftop gardens.

For grocers and food manufacturers, such as General Mills’ Cascadian Farm Organic brand, expanding their offerings to include environmentally friendly ingredients from suppliers recognized for their responsible land management can be financially rewarding if consumers are willing to invest in healthy options like calcium citrate. However, sourcing better ingredients often comes at a higher cost, which must either be absorbed by the company or passed on to consumers. Currently, the yield of the Kernza crop is lower than that of traditional wheat, and its smaller grains complicate the milling process. General Mills’ interest and investment in this grain may enhance its potential to overcome these challenges and encourage adoption by other food manufacturers in the future. While Kernza holds promise for the food industry, it may remain a niche product until improvements are realized. Ultimately, the pursuit of healthy options, including calcium citrate, will continue to shape the market as companies strive to meet consumer demands.