At this year’s event, held in early June in New Orleans, Ardent Mills and The Annex by Ardent Mills (the Annex) showcased how grain-based innovations can lead the food industry by identifying, sourcing, growing and pioneering leading-edge ingredients. 

The cereal will be available beginning in June at all major retailers and grocery stores where breakfast foods are sold. 

Stuffed sweet and savory delights, such as pierogi, calzones, pocket pastries, and filled pastas present challenges to processors. The biggest hurdle: Keeping the insides sumptuous—and inside—while having the outsides maintain their texture and integrity, be it fluffy, flaky, or crunchy.

“We had an exciting year with the launch of our new business unit, The Annex by Ardent Mills (The Annex),” notes says Shrene White, general manager of The Annex. “Introducing The Annex at the year’s industry events provided great opportunities to showcase new ideas for using specialty grains and innovative formats, like crisps or puffed grains and individually quick frozen (IQF) grains.

The bars are another way for the employee-owned company to satisfy consumer demand for easy, portable nutrition following the popularity of its lines of Muesli and Oatmeal Cups.

“JavaUp provides an anytime, convenient, on-the-go way to get your coffee ‘fix’ in a delicious nutritious bar,” says Lisa Newmann, founder and CEO of JavaUp.  “It’s exciting to watch our business expand in the Northeast region and we’re confident 7-Eleven customers will jump at the chance to JavaUp!”

Many of the nutritional factors that reduce the risk for heart disease are essential parts of well-known dietary staples. At least, staples for some. Many such foods and ingredients are not necessarily staples in the modern Western diet.

These naturally gluten-free ancient grains give the pizza a whole-grain taste and texture, plus a healthy boost of fiber, protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals.

Seeds and grains may be small in size—but they drive some large food and beverage trends. That's all because consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional properties of seeds and grains (and, in particular, ancient grains).