Healthy Food Ingredients’ online marketplace gives smaller bakers access to non-GMO flours

03-May-2019 - Last updated on 03-May-2019 at 08:07 GMT

Purple corn is just one of more than a dozen ingredients now available online to producers in 50-pound quantities. Pic: ©GettyImages/Sarawutnam

The grain, oil and pulse supplier has launched a digital storefront to support producers seeking non-GMO ingredients – including its Suntava Purple Corn – in quantities under 4k pounds.

Healthy Food Ingredients (HFI) aims to fill a void for smaller quantities of ontrend ingredients that many entrepreneurs and growing snack brands are typically unable to attain because of minimum order requirements.

“With HFI Marketplace, we have a way to service this segment of the industry looking for smaller volumes, which includes not only small-to-medium companies, local business and entrepreneurs but also start-up companies, product developers, R&D professionals and chefs, restaurants, institutions, etc.,” marketing coordinator Tara Froemming told BakeryandSnacks.

“Having the ability to purchase smaller quantities gives them an opportunity to utilize healthier ingredient options that meet those trends that consumers are looking for.”

HFI already supplies larger quantities, from multiple pallets up to truckloads of ingredients, to manufacturers.

The initial selection features a baker’s dozen of products, which HFI selected based on demand, according to Froemming, including whole kernel and ground flour made from Suntava Purple Corn, an ancient grain blend of buckwheat, flaxseed and chia seeds, plus organic flax oil and non-GMO corn oil.

“Our plans for additional offerings will be driven by demand for our specialty ingredients.”

The supplier said the marketplace is an extention of its sustainability initiative announced last November. The program strives to reduce landfill volumes, support regenerative agriculture and meet the goals of growers and consumers.

Purple corn

Suntava Purple Corn is a non-GMO, gluten and allergen-free ingredient derived from ancient strains of Andean maize. HFI finalized a deal with the Minnesota-based supplier in December 2015 to include the ‘superfood’ on its product list. At the time, Suntava president Bill Petrich said the company was eager to reach a broader audience.

The vivid color means the corn is high in polyphenols and anthocyanins, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties.

In April, Firebird Artisan Mills introduced a 50% protein crisp made with Suntava.

“Products that visually demonstrate differentiation resonate with buyers,” said Mike Hallman, Firebrid’s VP of sales.

“The eye-catching, unique purple color of our crisp generates immediate association with the health benefits of natural antioxidants not present in common well-established ingredients such as corn, rice or tapioca starches.”

Firebird, a gluten-free manufacturer, plans to introduce more purple corn products, including cereals, clusters and granola.

At SNAXPO held in Orlando, Florida at the end of March, HFI showcased Suntava in a corn salsa served with chips also made from the flour, and in a traditional Andean beverage known as Chicha morada.