The purchase is intended as a further investment in specialty grain capabilities and in The Annex by Ardent Mills. Andean Naturals’ President and Founder, Sergio Nunez de Arco, will join Ardent Mills.
Yuba City will be Ardent Mills’ first gluten-free sourcing and cleaning facility with the ability to expand to additional grains. This purchase, the release says, follows the acquisition of an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon; theColorado Quinoaexclusivity partnership; and theDenver RiNoinvestment to clean and pack specialty grains.
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Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills, said in the release: “Our industry is rapidly changing as consumers’ appetite for variety in their diets continues to increase. 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.”Shrene White, General Manager of The Annex, added: “In The Annex, we are proud to offer ingredients from passionate, knowledgeable farmers, and this purchase continues that tradition. 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.”
Nunez de Arco said in the release: “For Andean Naturals, this mutually beneficial acquisition is the natural progression of our mission to share quinoa with the world. While we’ve built expertise in quinoa sourcing and connections to South American farmers, Arden 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.”
