MINNEAPOLIS — Horizon Milling today launched EcoFlour™ sustainability solutions, a new customizable ingredient program that utilizes precision agriculture to use fertilizer more efficiently to reduce energy inputs and improve yields, at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) in Las Vegas. The program helps bakery customers satisfy growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and meet their strategic sustainability goals.
Sustainability is a driver of many of today's buying decisions. In fact, more than 50 percent of consumers prefer to purchase products that are manufactured sustainably.(1) Further, environmental sustainability was mentioned as the number two issue – behind food safety – by Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) members.(2)
EcoFlour™ sustainability solutions utilizes technology that combines satellite imagery and soil samples to identify the best use of fertilizer on the farmer's field. The farmer uses this information to apply nutrients to the crop with precision and only where it is needed. Studies show precision agriculture uses less fertilizer than conventional agriculture, uses less energy, and reduces emissions while increasing the amount of wheat grown on the land.
"At Horizon Milling, we help customers innovate around sustainability," said Kyle Marinkovich, marketing manager, Horizon Milling. "With our new EcoFlour™ sustainability solutions, we design customized programs that link the technology and the supply chain from the farmer to the bakery to help customers execute against their sustainability focus areas. Whether it be reducing carbon in their supply chains or developing new products that satisfy demands of eco-conscious consumers, we can design a solution that helps meet their unique needs."
The program utilizes Horizon Milling's supply chain expertise and can be customized to meet specific customer goals and objectives.
Horizon Milling was recognized for this system by IBIE 2010 with a B.E.S.T. in Baking award for its contribution towards environmental sustainability.
To learn more about Cargill at IBIE 2010, including EcoFlour™ sustainability solutions, please visit the Cargill Innovation Exchange.
1.NMI, 2010
2.Foodnavigator-usa.com, 2008
About Horizon Milling, LLC
A leading U.S. flour miller, Horizon Milling, LLC is a joint venture between CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) and Cargill, Incorporated. Horizon Milling combines the expertise of a global food ingredients manufacturer with the supply assurance capabilities of a national, farmer-owned cooperative to provide customers with innovative, flour-related product and service solutions. For more information, visit http://www.horizonmilling.com.
About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.
Source: Cargill