Key Takeaways
- General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is scaling up the Kernza® grain market by introducing the perennial crop into four Cascadian Farm cereal varieties.
- The move quadruples General Mills’ use of Kernza, a climate-resilient grain known for improving soil health and sequestering carbon.
- The initiative creates a stable market for U.S. organic farmers while offering consumers sustainable, great-tasting cereal options.
- General Mills has partnered with The Land Institute and the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative since 2014 to advance Kernza research and adoption.
- Cascadian Farm’s new 1% Kernza Initiative cereals are now available at Whole Foods and Sprouts.
General Mills Accelerates Kernza Market Growth Through Cascadian Farm Cereals
General Mills (NYSE: GIS) announced that it is quadrupling its use of Kernza®, a regenerative perennial grain, with the introduction of four new Cascadian Farm cereal products. The expansion marks a significant step toward scaling the Kernza supply chain and supporting U.S. organic farmers adopting the sustainable crop.
Kernza, developed by The Land Institute, is notable for its deep root system—reaching up to ten feet into the soil—which helps improve soil structure, reduce erosion, enhance water quality, and sequester carbon. As a perennial crop, it grows back each year without replanting, offering both environmental and economic advantages to growers.
Cascadian Farm Expands Sustainable Cereal Portfolio
Cascadian Farm, a pioneer in organic food production, has incorporated 1% Kernza into four of its top-selling flake cereals:
- Honey Oat Crunch
- Honey Oat Crunch with Almonds
- Raisin Bran
- Hearty Morning Fiber
“Kernza’s slightly sweet, nutty flavor is a welcome addition to the breakfast bowl,” said Melissa Gallant, Business Unit Director for Natural and Organic at General Mills. “By putting a little bit of Kernza into Cascadian Farm cereals consumers know and love, we’re creating a stable market for U.S. organic farmers and making it simple for shoppers to select a great-tasting, sustainable option in the cereal aisle.”
This initiative, known as the Cascadian Farm 1% Kernza Initiative, represents a consumer-facing effort to expand awareness and market demand for Kernza while supporting the grain’s long-term commercial viability.
General Mills Collaborative Effort to Scale a Perennial Grain
General Mills began researching Kernza in 2014 in partnership with The Land Institute and the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative. The company first introduced Kernza-based products in 2019 under the Cascadian Farm brand, making it one of the earliest commercial adopters of the crop.
“Delivering a market opportunity for farmers is critical,” said Colin Cureton, Director of Commercialization, Adoption and Scaling for the Forever Green Initiative. “Our team can develop the crop and support farmers growing it. General Mills’ market partnership provides the demand farmers need to bring a new crop like Kernza onto their farm. It’s the foundational piece needed for Kernza acres to keep scaling.”
Driving Market Access and Consumer Awareness
By integrating Kernza into familiar breakfast cereals, General Mills aims to bridge the gap between sustainable agriculture and consumer demand. The addition of Kernza helps build supply chain resilience, supports organic farmers, and demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing regenerative agriculture.
The new Cascadian Farm 1% Kernza Initiative cereals are currently available at Whole Foods and Sprouts, giving consumers the opportunity to participate directly in supporting soil health and climate-friendly farming practices through their everyday purchases.
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