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. 

Maria and Ricardo's tortillas are inspired by the company's deep Mexican roots and baked with the finest non-GMO ingredients to provide superior taste, texture and performance in every tortilla.

Sunrise Balanced Breaks® are made with 100% real, natural cheese paired with flavorful ingredients, making it the perfect morning combination.

A formulation-friendly powder made from amaranth, buckwheat, millet, chia and quinoa, AncienTRIM is key to adding the protein, fiber and essential amino acids of ancient grains to soups, beverages, dairy alternatives, RTM products and more. 

“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 chips are not fried and are free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and trans fat.

Simply Forage™ Granola, a forager’s delight, includes superfood grains, nuts & seeds, and fruit all blended together for a one-of-a-kind granola experience. 

Sethness can help food companies develop new offerings that pass the “eye test” with plant-based products that look more appetizing. As mentioned, the market for meat alternatives and substitutes is booming, and these finished products commonly incorporate caramel color to help achieve the typical appearance of meat. 

The NPD Group, a leading global information company, reports that types of grains that were once eaten on a daily basis by ancient civilizations are growing in popularity again with today's consumers because of their perceived health benefits.

The first product to hit shelves is the whimsically named State Bird Seed, a crunchy mix of puffed quinoa, seeds, herbs, and spices that can be enjoyed on its own as a snack or crumbled as a topping on everything from oatmeal and yogurt to salads and meat.