Ardent Mills plans to sell its quinoa processing facility
This facility is responsible for cleaning, polishing, sorting, and color grading a variety of specialty grains, primarily quinoa.
USA – Ardent Mills LLC is reviewing strategic alternatives for its quinoa processing facility in Yuba City, California, as part of a renewed focus on its Emerging Nutrition business.
Alongside this strategic review, Ardent Mills is also evaluating its collaboration with Colorado Quinoa LLC and the associated cleaning facility in Mosca, Colorado.
“As part of our ongoing focus on strategic growth, we’ve decided to sell our Yuba City retail pack facility. This facility has been integral in producing high-quality, value-added ingredients, making it a compelling opportunity for the right buyer. This move allows us to concentrate on our Emerging Nutrition business and provide relevant solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. We remain committed to specializing in Emerging Nutrition and unique ingredients,” said Sheryl Wallace, CEO of Ardent Mills.
Acquired by Ardent Mills in 2020 as part of its Emerging Nutrition segment, the Yuba City operation packages quinoa and other ancient grains for retail, food service, and bulk customers.
Originally built in 2015 under the name Andean Naturals, LLC, the facility has received upgrades since the acquisition.
The 38,000-square-foot facility can process up to 4,000 pounds of quinoa per hour and handles organic white, red, and black quinoa, as well as tri-color blends.
It is also equipped to process other specialty grains, such as amaranth, chia, flax, millet, rice, sorghum, and teff.
Prior to the Yuba City acquisition, Ardent Mills partnered with Colorado Quinoa LLC to clean, mill, and market quinoa cultivated in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
Recently, the company has invested in processing equipment in Mosca to enhance market access for domestically grown quinoa from the region.
The company also stated that it believes that consumer demand for quinoa remains robust due to its appealing nutritional profile, however, long-term success in this category would require additional investment in complementary capabilities that it cannot be able to prioritize at this time.
The decision to sell the Yuba City operation aligns with Ardent Mills’ goal to sharpen the focus of its Emerging Nutrition segment on its specialty ingredient business. The company will continue to offer quinoa as part of its diverse portfolio of specialty grains.
The Emerging Nutrition segment concentrates on alternative grains and products that consumers seek for health, sustainability, and functionality.
This product line includes ancient grains, pulses, organic ingredients, and specialty flours, aimed at delivering nutritional benefits while aligning with trends like high-protein, gluten-free, high-fiber diets, regenerative agriculture, clean ingredients, and clean label formulations.
Ardent Mills has enlisted Chris Nolan from the investment banking firm Dresner Partners in Chicago to oversee the transaction.
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