The Annex by Ardent Mills has forged a partnership with Colorado Quinoa, LLC to clean, mill and market quinoa grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.

Through the relationship, commercial customers will benefit from the many advantages of U.S.-grown quinoa including stable pricing, scalable supply, sustainability and traceability back to local farms, all backed by the resources and support of Ardent Mills, according to the company.

“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 of 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 associations 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.

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.