Ardent Mills, a premier flour-milling and ingredient company, announced the opening of its brand-new state-of-the-art Port Redwing Mill in Gibsonton, Fla. The mill builds upon Ardent Mills' strategic growth plan by strengthening supply chain agility, increasing efficiency and product consistency, and expanding the ability to meet customer needs.

The new production site further strengthens the company’s plant-based protein portfolio and enables BENEO to meet the growing demand for plant-based food and feed ingredients.

American Key Food Products (AKFP) is expanding its gluten-free cassava flour line. Cassava is a root vegetable that is naturally gluten-free and native to tropical climates in South America and Asia. It is milled into bakery-quality flour by AKFP’s partner companies through sophisticated processes. 

Flour + Water Foods offers four boxed dried pastas developed by co-chefs Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow to bring the craftsmanship of Flour + Water’s cuisine to the home table. 

Ardent Mills introduces two new ingredients—Egg Replace™ and Ancient Grains Plus™ Baking Flour Blend—to help customers capitalize on new market growth, meet evolving consumer preferences for quality ingredients and great taste, and help alleviate supply chain challenges.

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks protein with Dr. Baljit Ghotra, co-CEO and co-founder of EQUII Foods, a San Francisco Bay-area start-up whose Equii retail and foodservice breads and bread mixes boast two times more protein, 30% fewer carbs, and 50% less sugar compared to other leading brands.

Solely says it used its signature, patented cold-pressing process to transform dried green bananas into a traditional fusilli shape and texture. The dark-colored Organic Green Banana Fusilli Pasta cooks to an al-dente texture in just four minutes and is ready to be topped with a sauce or other ingredients.

A successful product formula needs just the right ingredients in the right proportions. The same axiom applies to a great company and/or a disruptive innovation. It requires just the right combination of people, process, product and consumer appeal—which in this case, involves protein, an essential dietary macronutrient.

Italy’s MILLBO has established a North America presence with the opening of Millbio North America, Rochelle Park, NJ. With this east coast location, the company has expanded its sales and customer support teams for continued growth and business development in the Americas.

The Illinois Wheat Initiative will bring together faculty to collaborate on research related to wheat cultivation in Illinois. The hope is that other entities throughout the wheat value chain — including growers, millers, and food companies — will invest in the Illinois Wheat Initiative to advance the industry. 

Based on these findings, the report further outlines opportunities to spark innovation in flour and grain-based foods across a wide range of industry sectors.

Ardent Mills is conducting both an internal and external search, and the board seeks to announce a new CEO in the near future. 

Wallace brings nearly 30 years of experience and a successful track record of leadership in business growth, strategy, commercial, trading and risk management in the food and agriculture industries.

The investment will enable Lotus Foods to further scale its business by deepening investments along its value chain, from sourcing new global rice cultivation communities to growing and diversifying its customer base.

EQUII created a complete protein flour using fermentation, with the launch of its flagship Bread products last year. EQUII’s goal is to disrupt age-old fermentation methods with modern day innovation, combined with culinary art to make animal-free products that deliver great taste and complete protein.

This cereal provides an excellent source of vitamin E to help protect nervous systems, and incudes curated vitamins and minerals like Zinc, Folic Acid and B vitamins to support natural melatonin production.

Each bar delivers 20g of protein per serving. They are also gluten free, low sugar and under 200 calories, making them a nutrient-packed alternative to the sugary snacks and desserts that inspired the new flavors.

"Our new chewable line represents our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and aligning with the desires of today's fitness enthusiasts and athletes," said Jad Khairallah, Universal’s senior vice president of marketing. “We understand that convenience, speed, and customization are essential to their success, and our delicious chewable energy and recovery offerings embody these principles."

The Brain Omega 3 Bar® features naturally occurring flavonoids and 8g of protein to offer better bioavailability of ingredients to nourish both the brain and body.

The new milk chocolate peanut spread is made from six pure ingredients, including premium nuts, high-grade NZMP whey protein and Nutiani’s specialized phospholipid concentrated WPC.

Offering an array of flavors, Coconut Cult's lineup includes staple varieties such as Original, Chocolate Mousse, Harvest Strawberry, and the newly introduced Orange Dreamsicle. 

Yes Whey!!!™ harnesses 15g of high-quality whey and milk protein isolates and 2g of creatine monohydrate to help support skeletal muscle growth, strength, recovery, energy production and athletic performance.

Available in both Buttermilk and Original varieties, the pancake mixes have 15g of protein per serving and can be made by just adding water.

Candy fanatics and protein enthusiasts alike can now enjoy the smooth taste of iconic Reese's peanut butter in a new, better-for-you format with 18g of protein and 3g of sugar.

This new formula adheres to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) guidelines, ensuring precise thickness for those with swallowing difficulties. 

Grown in Colorado, Nutiva USA-Grown Organic Hempseed is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and vegan. It also contains 10 grams of protein, three grams of omega-3s, and 500 milligrams of omega GLA, plus 50% of the recommended daily value of magnesium and 20% of the recommended daily value of iron per serving. USA-Grown Organic Hempseed can be added to smoothies, hummus, yogurt, pesto, salad dressings and more.

With a new set of ingredients also comes a new look. Colorful, bold packaging to brighten up a snacking routine and a window panel for a sneak peek at the bar itself makes the change fun and ingredient-forward. An overall upgrade for Health Warrior, the new Organic Pumpkin Seed Bar packs a punch.

Drinkable seed nutrition may seem like an unusual concept, but the results of infusing cold-pressed seed oils and seed powders are promising.

Using a proprietary heat treatment to ensure consistent safety and quality, Manitoba flax is ready-to-eat with a roasted, nutty, mild flavoring.

Prepared Foods takes a look at new better-for-you drinks and supplements introduced in September 2018.

PROBAR® offers a robust line of plant-based performance foods, including Meal On-the-Go, Protein (formerly Base), Bite, Bolt Energy Chews, Nut Butters and live Probiotic Bars.

How About That's trail mix contains 17g of fat, 4g of protein and 3g of net carbs with zero added sugars. The sweet variation is tossed with avocado oil and sea salt, making it a clean, ketogenic trail mix.

Yoi, which means "good" in Japanese, launched in Bay Area independent grocers with its Probiotic Nut & Seedmilks line.

Toodaloo, a new snack brand dedicated to healing the mind, body, spirit and planet, launched a line of adaptogenic trail mixes. Available in five varieties, each trail mix is crafted with care and infused with adaptogenic herbs and superfoods that restore balance.

PSILLI™ will use a variety of mushroom types to create five distinct formulations: Brain Boost to support cognitive and immune function; Study Buddy, a Nootropic supplement; Energizer, a natural energy enhancer; Good Mood a mood optimizer and appetite moderator; and Bedtime, for relaxing.

More than 90% of Americans do not consume enough Vitamin D1. Recommendation intakes are difficult to achieve through natural food sources like fatty fish, egg yolks and certain mushrooms. 

Some foods and ingredients that can help improve both sleep and brain function. Think favorites from the simple— tart cherries, seeds (especially pumpkin seeds), nuts (almonds and walnuts), and kiwi fruit—to the more exotic, like schisandra, turmeric, and saffron.

The chewy cookies pack a guilt-free secret: they are low-carb, high fiber, high protein, diabetic-friendly, blood sugar balancing, dairy-free and contain 7g of plant-based protein.

Anthony & Sons Bakery,a New Jersey bread company, launched its latest brand, The Avocado Bread Company. The bakery created the unique line of plant-based bread products which use fresh avocados, a trending, clean ingredient packed with nutrients. 

NEXE Innovations Inc. added three beverages to its XOMA Superfoods line including a matcha latte, keto cocoa, and turmeric golden milk. Each is available in a 12- and 48-count package

Crafted from ethically-sourced, certified organic plant-based ingredients (single-origin heirloom cacao, coconut sugar and an efficacious dose of lion’s mane mushroom extract), this handcrafted chocolate is a satisfying and elevated health-promoting snack.

Super Multi+ combines vitamins and minerals with five vital blends to support overall health and the immune system.

According to a recent Numerator Survey of Yerba Mate shoppers, 80% are concerned or very concerned with sugar content in their drinks and 69% of the current category leader's shoppers wish there were more unsweetened options available.

The company has filed a patent application for the aronia extract, which has a unique polyphenols profile in addition to strong multiple cellular antioxidant effects. This range expands the diana food™ portfolio of health actives, which forms a part of the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment.

Naked Juice, a brand of Tropicana Brands Group, announced the launch of its new product: Naked Antioxidants Mighty Berry, an excellent source of antioxidants to support immune function, according to the company. 

This all-natural liquid formulation showcases zero calories, no sugar, and no added artificial flavors or ingredients.

Strawberry Lemonade, the latest flavor of their functional hydration and wellness beverages, brings a refreshingly sweet and mildly tart addition to the core Complete Hydration™ beverage line. 

Laird Superfood, Inc. launched Laird Superfood Antioxidant Daily Reds, providing two servings of the daily recommended fruit and vegetable intake in every glass.

ActivatedYou Morning Complete is a daily dietary supplement beverage that embodies "wellness in a glass."  In addition to the new Mixed Berry flavor, Morning Complete comes in two other flavors: Apple Cinnamon and Citrus Medley. 

This launch not only celebrates the empowerment of women through a mindful approach to drinking but also underscores a commitment to social responsibility by supporting the Sad Girls Club, a leading mental health organization, with the aim of providing 1000 Huzzies with access to mental health support this year, alongside a pledge to donate 1% of all Huzzy purchases to support the organization's vital work.