MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cascadian
Farm™, a pioneer in the organic food movement, is
working to advance climate-beneficial foods with the launch of its
small-batch, limited-edition Honey Toasted Kernza® cereal.
The brand has released only 6,000 boxes – to receive one,
Cascadian Farm is encouraging consumers to join its mission to help
advance climate-beneficial foods through its fundraising site -
DeeplyRootedForGood.com. All proceeds will benefit The Land
Institute to advance further research on Kernza®, a perennial grain
(intermediate wheatgrass) and wild relative of annual wheat, whose
deep roots show promise to benefit the planet by capturing carbon
from the air and storing it in the ground.
"Today's food system is faced with challenges from resource
scarcity to soil health and water quality," said Dr. Lee DeHaan, lead scientist for the Kernza
domestication program at The Land Institute, based in Salina, Kansas. "It is estimated that
agriculture contributes to about 30 percent of global greenhouse
emissions. It has never been more important – or more urgent – to
implement farming practices that are climate-beneficial. Kernza has
significant potential to redirect the course of climate change and
significantly improve planet health."
In 2017, Cascadian Farm and parent company General
Mills announced their work with The Land Institute (TLI) to help
commercialize Kernza.
Early research shows Kernza's long roots may help preserve soil,
enhance soil health, and reduce nitrogen movement into ground and
surface waters. Farmers who produce Kernza don't need to till and
replant the crop every year, minimizing disruption to the soil.
"Honey Toasted Kernza quite possibly is the most important box
of cereal Cascadian Farm has ever made," said Maria Carolina Comings, Cascadian Farm Marketing
Director. "Cascadian Farm has always known agriculture could
contribute to a healthier planet and has been deeply committed to
creating a positive relationship between food and the land where it
is grown. Nearly 50 years later, we're continuing to help shape the
future of farming through the food we make."
Cascadian Farm is committed to helping create a larger-scale
market for Kernza by 2040 through work with partners, as well
as scientists and farmers to improve yields. Commercializing
Kernza on such a large scale is an ambitious goal. Currently,
there are about 1,200 acres of Kernza in production and the yields
are relatively small – about one-quarter that of annual wheat. The
limited-edition cereal is a first step in creating a market for the
grain. Cascadian Farm plans to use the grain in more of its
products from cereal to snacks as more Kernza becomes
available.
"Through our collaborative work with The Land Institute, we hope
that a Kernza variety with yields similar to annual wheat will be
developed," continued Comings. "Further research is also needed
to precisely measure the impact increased acreage of Kernza
will have on carbon sequestration. This is why we are asking
consumers to join us and support this important work through our
Deeply Rooted for Good campaign."
Cascadian Farm is also growing a half-acre test plot of Kernza
on its home farm in the Skagit River Valley of the Cascade
Mountains in Washington. According
to its farm manager, Ashley
Minnerath, no one has tried growing Kernza in the unique
weather conditions that occur on the farm.
"Kernza has never been planted in an environment with this much
rainfall. We get approximately 80 inches of rain a year," said
Minnerath. "We will be looking at how our yield compares to
other areas and its ability to sequester carbon and enhance soil
health at the home farm as well."
People can show their support for the development of
climate-beneficial foods like Kernza perennial grain by visiting
DeeplyRootedForGood.com. A variety of donation levels are
available, starting at $25. All
proceeds directly benefit The Land Institute.
At the $25 level, Cascadian Farm
will send a box of its limited-edition Toasted Honey Kernza cereal,
while supplies last. Supporters at higher levels will also
have their names listed on a plaque at the Cascadian Farm home farm
next to the Kernza test plot which serves to educate and inspire
visitors about Kernza and its potential to have a positive impact
on the environment.
For more information, visit DeeplyRootedForGood.com.
Listen to "A Taste of General Mills" podcast to learn more about
Cascadian Farm's mission to advance climate-beneficial foods,
featuring interviews with marketing director Maria Carolina Comings, as well as experts from
The Land Institute and the University of Minnesota.
https://blog.generalmills.com/2019/04/a-cereal-thats-deeply-rooted-for-good/
About Cascadian Farm
Cascadian Farm, a pioneer in the
organic food movement was founded in 1972 in the Skagit Valley of
the Cascade Mountains of Washington. As part of the General Mills
family of natural and organic brands, Cascadian Farm has grown
beyond its original home farm and is a pioneering supporter of
farmers who use practices that regenerate the land and their
communities. For more information, visit www.cascadianfarm.com.
About General Mills
General Mills is a leading global
food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its
brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley,
Häagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker,
Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai
Ferry, Yoki, Blue and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills
generated fiscal 2018 proforma net sales of U.S. $17.0 billion, including $1.3 billion from Blue Buffalo. In addition, the
General Mills share of non-consolidated joint venture net sales
totaled U.S. $1.1 billion.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cascadian-farm-works-to-advance-climate-beneficial-foods-with-limited-edition-small-batch-honey-toasted-kernza-cereal-300828416.html
SOURCE Cascadian Farm