The Annex by Ardent Mills has announced a new partnership with Colorado Quinoa, LLC to clean, mill and market quinoa grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. Through the relationship, commercial customers benefit from the many advantages of US-grown quinoa including stable pricing, scalable supply, sustainability and traceability back to local farms, all backed by the resources and support of Ardent Mills.

“We are excited to collaborate with Colorado Quinoa as part of our commitment to ancient and heirloom grains, plant-based ingredients and value-added products,” says Shrene White, general manager, The Annex. “By being the exclusive supplier of Colorado Quinoa™, we are furthering our commitment to family farms, the future of food and making The Annex the go-to source for domestically grown quinoa for our customers.”

A recent study conducted by The Annex pointed to the strong association that consumers have for quinoa. The study found that in retail products, quinoa ranked in the top 10 ingredients in terms of driving health perception and purchase intent. Its extraordinary versatility makes it a popular component on restaurant menus, where its culinary presence continues to grow.

“We chose to work with The Annex because they have the skills and capabilities required to make Colorado Quinoa a nationally and internationally viable quinoa variety,” says Paul New, Colorado Quinoa. “Additionally, working with The Annex and Ardent Mills means we are supported by a trusted international supplier with expertise in processing, R&D, culinary, food safety, sustainability and marketing expertise.”

For commercial customers looking for a sustainable and domestic source, Colorado Quinoa offers comparable taste, color, size and cook volume to varieties of South American white quinoa, with the added benefits of a stable supply chain, competitive prices and scalability. It is an exceptional supplement or alternative to imported white quinoa and increases opportunities for domestic growth, selling and consumption.

“Quinoa grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley has an amazing sustainability story,” White says. “Growers in the valley are seeking ways to increase water levels in the Rio Grande Aquifer, which provides 240 million gallons of water per day for public use. Quinoa has very low water requirements, so it gives regional growers a profitable crop rotation option that promotes water conservation, soil biodiversity and sustainability.”

Colorado Quinoa is the latest addition to The Annex’s dynamic portfolio of innovative grains and is available in white and multicolor varieties. Additional technical information, specifications and samples of Colorado Quinoa are available upon request from The Annex.