ADM has expanded its regenerative flour program by implementing a segregated supply chain system that allows bakers to trace flour back to specific farms practicing regenerative agriculture, replacing the previous mass balance model where regenerative and conventional wheat could mix.
- Segregated supply chain: Wheat from regenerative farms stays physically separated throughout ADM's processing and milling operations, replacing the previous mass balance approach
- Farm-to-mill traceability: Independent and craft bakers can now trace their flour back to specific farms practicing regenerative agriculture techniques
- Regenerative practices: Participating farmers use techniques like cover cropping and reduced tillage to improve soil health and biodiversity through ADM's re:generations initiative
- Sustainable transportation: ADM incorporates electric heavy goods vehicles for farm-to-mill transportation as part of the program
- Product consistency: The flour maintains the same specifications and performance as before, with changes affecting only tracking and documentation
ADM is stepping up its regenerative agriculture program with a new traceability system that tracks wheat from field to flour mill.
The company announced Tuesday that its Nature’s Gold regeneratively sourced flour will now move through a segregated supply chain, allowing bakers to trace their flour back to specific farms practicing regenerative agriculture. The shift marks an expansion of the program that launched earlier in the UK.
Under the new system, wheat grown by participating farmers stays physically separated as it travels through ADM’s supply chain. The approach replaces the previous mass balance model, where regenerative and conventional wheat could mix during processing.
“Moving from a Mass Balance to a segregated supply chain is the natural next step in that journey,” said Ashley Fuller, managing director of ADM Milling UK. “It strengthens the integrity and traceability of our proposition while maintaining the reliable flour performance our customers depend on every day.”
The program connects to ADM’s re:generations initiative, which works with UK farmers to adopt practices aimed at improving soil health and biodiversity. Participating growers use techniques like cover cropping and reduced tillage, though specific practice requirements weren’t detailed in the announcement.
Independent and craft bakers represent a target market for the program, particularly as consumers ask more questions about food sourcing. The segregated model gives bakeries a clearer story about their ingredients’ origins.
“Independent bakers want products that perform consistently and allow them to tell an authentic story to their customers,” Fuller said.
Jonathan Lane, managing director of ADM Agriculture, said the company’s control over multiple supply chain stages makes the traceability possible. ADM works directly with growers, handles grain collection, and manages milling operations.
The program also incorporates electric heavy goods vehicles for some farm-to-mill transportation, though the company didn’t specify what percentage of shipments use zero-emission trucks.
The flour maintains the same specifications as before, according to ADM. The change affects tracking and documentation rather than the product itself.
