US-based food company General Mills is planning to more than double its organic acreage sourcing for ingredients, to reach its goal of 250,000 acres by 2019.
The increase in acreage is to meet the growing demand for natural and organic foods and it looks to boost sales from organic and natural products.
At the Consumer Analysts Group of New York conference in February, General Mills US Retail executive vice president and COO said that the company was targeting $1bn in net sales from organic and natural products by 2019.
General Mills has increased organic acreage since 2009 by 120% and claims to be one among the top five organic ingredient purchasers, and the second largest buyer of organic fruits and vegetables in the North American packaged food sector.
General Mills supply chain executive vice president John Church said: "To achieve the growth we anticipate for our natural and organic brands, we will need a more robust pipeline of organic growers.
"We're building strategic relationships directly with farmers for our products and are dedicated to working with growers to optimize production and quality, adopt standard practices and accelerate supply."
Since 2000, the company has been investing in organic and natural foods category and has acquired a portfolio of natural and organic brands worth $675m.
Its portfolio now includes Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, LRABAR, Liberté, Mountain High, Food Should Taste Good, Immaculate Baking, and Annie's. In January, meat snacks maker EPIC Provisions was added to the list.
In order to secure organic ingredients, the company has been building a vast network by associating with Organic Farming Research Foundation, which encourages the adoption of organic farming practices through research, advocacy and education.
In Canada, the company has lent its support to Prairie Organic Grain Initiative (POGI) with $50,000 investment. The organization works towards the improvement of quality and quantity of organic field crops grown in Canada. POGI addresses the shortfall of organic grain growers by helping conventional growers to shift to organic farming.
Besides, General Mills is also part of Organic Trade Association's Grain, Pulse and Oilseed Council, which is an industry forum that works towards increasing supply of organic grain, oilseeds and pulses.
Image: General Mills commits to increase organic ingredients sourcing. Photo: Courtesy of PR NewsFoto/General Mills Inc.
