Ardent Mills launches The Annex to focus on unique grains, ingredients

Ardent Mills, North America's leading flour supplier and grain innovator, has announced the launch of a new business unit, The Annex by Ardent Mills, dedicated to exploring and providing food companies and foodservice operators with “next” grains and unique plant-based ingredients.

Driven by a team of experts, The Annex offers the flexibility and speed of a start-up, all supported with the resources, relationships, and expertise of Ardent Mills. It operates as a company-within-a-company, cultivating ties with farmers, university and private research teams, customers, and key vendors to identify, source, grow, and pioneer everything from organic and heirloom grains to leading-edge ingredients.

Innovative Bakery Resources (IBR), another business unit of Ardent Mills, along with its Arlington, Ore. mix facility, are now integrated into The Annex. IBR is an artisan bakery where cutting-edge concepts and craftsmanship come together to help customers quickly take their ideas to market.

“An annex is independent yet is part of something bigger,” said Shrene White, general manager of The Annex. “We’re excited to be empowered by Ardent Mills to be idea cultivators and solution providers. The Annex will support Ardent Mills traditional flour customers and a wide spectrum of new customers by offering a one-of-a-kind product portfolio.”