Pipeline Foods, the first U.S.-based supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on organic, non-GMO and regenerative food and feed, has acquired a 3.4 million bushel grain elevator in Atlantic, IA.
Pipeline Foods, based in Minneapolis, MN, has signed a purchase agreement to buy the facility from Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and is making capital investments in new equipment and improvements needed to upgrade the elevator to test, clean, grade, dry, store and ship organic grains. ADM will continue its conventional soybean origination at the site through segregated operations.
"This acquisition is a key component in Pipeline Foods' mission to increase organic supply chain efficiency and transparency," says Eric Jackson, chief executive of Pipeline Foods. "In owning and operating another facility dedicated to organic grains and oilseeds, Pipeline Foods will have a direct relationship with farmers in the region, helping to ensure identity preservation of the product and allowing us to take ownership at the farm gate, thereby increasing transparency and traceability for all stakeholders."
This investment is positioned to support the growing demand from protein producers for U.S.-grown organic grains. Atlantic is uniquely located in the heart of the western corn belt, at the nexus of major truck and rail routes. This will allow the Pipeline Foods merchandising team to originate organic grain from Iowa and the surrounding states, and improve logistical efficiencies when serving customers on both coasts via the Iowa Interstate Railroad with connections to all Class I major rail lines.
"We're pleased to be able to partner with Pipeline Foods, and look forward to continuing to work with our local farmer partners to source conventional soybeans in and around the Atlantic area," says Pete Goetzmann, regional vice president, ADM Grain.
The Atlantic elevator will be open for operation in mid-September and will accept its first organic grain deliveries shortly thereafter. With the completion of the acquisition, Pipeline Foods will operate six organic processing facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
