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December 2004 Issue
Dry Edible Beans
New Markets, New Products
Dry edible beans like pinto beans, navy beans and others have long been viewed as beans that are baked and served in a glaze or syrup. Some well
-known brand names include Boston Baked Beans®, Van Camps Pork and Beans®, and others. Brown Beans are a staple at summer barbeques,
family reunions, and many other summer outdoor activities. They are also a main ingredient in many Mexican foods and are widely recognized as an excellent source of protein.
The FarmConnect membership has a large number of producers that either produce dry beans or are interested in producing them. This information
coupled with the positive nutritional attributes in dry beans caused us to begin looking for new innovative markets for dry beans as food ingredients.
At the same time the Michigan Edible Bean Cooperative (MEBC), a group like FarmConnect, was involved in similar research. To avoid duplicating
efforts we partnered with them to cooperatively work on this project and leverage limited resources.
New Products for Specialty Markets
Our market research suggested some possible avenues for supplying specific health food sectors. One of these sectors included supplying
products to the gluten-free market. As we explored this market in more depth, we discovered that by combining dry beans with other food ingredients
we are able to make pasta, cereal, and a variety of different baked goods. Our products are superior in quality and nutrition to many of the products
currently available. Further test marketing efforts to Celiac groups in the US supported the demand for our products.
Heartland Ingredients supported by Value-Added Matching Grants Program
To respond to this market, FarmConnect and MEBC have developed Heartland Ingredients, LLC, to produce and market the gluten-free products.
We hope to begin production in January using a small leased facility in Crookston, MN. For more information about Heartland Ingredients please visit the website at www.heartlandingredients.com.
Celiac Specialties is a baker and retailer the Detroit area. They are currently selling Heartland Ingredients products in their retail store and through their website. You can visit their website at www.celiacspecialties.com if you are interested in learning more about them and how they are promoting our products.
FarmConnect and MEBC have been working on this project for several years. We first introduced this project to you at our March 2004 annual meeting and
in the March, 2004 Connector. This project is an excellent example of the type of activities that we are able to develop while we continue to search for
other new ways to differentiate your production and provide value to you through your membership in FarmConnect.
Funding for Heartland Ingredients
Grants have provided a major source of funding for this project. In October, 2003 FarmConnect and MEBC were awarded a $247,000 USDA Value-Added Matching Grant. We have leveraged this grant by working with
valuable resources available at Northern Crops Institute, the University of Minnesota at Crookston, Michigan State University, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Kansas State University, Ag Utilization Research
Institute, and others.
We expect to be producing and selling product in January. We are currently identifying investment partners to help capitalize the business and secure
additional processing equipment to meet the market demand. If you are interested in investing in the project, please contact Brent Sorenson at bsorenson@farmconnect.com or by phone at 888-654-5077. Top of page
SoyLink
 SoyLink is continuing to work with companies around the world to incorporate its fine soy powder into their products. One recent market development includes
Organic Valley's new soy milk that was introduced in September, 2004. Organic Valley's soy milk uses SoyLink fine soy powder. The product launch started in retail stores in California. The product sales are
expanding to other states in the US as they continue this national product launch. The product was recently added to retail stores in Sioux Falls, SD. You can assist expansion of this product into your
local stores by requesting it from your local grocer. Be sure to request that they carry the product, it should be available to them from their distributor.
Organic Valley is a major supplier of organic dairy products in the US. To learn more about this product and Organic Valley please visit their website at
http://www.organicvalley.coop/products_recipes/products.html?cat=11.
SoyLink has recently signed an international marketing agreement with Clarkson Grain. Clarkson works extensively in Asia and is promoting
SoyLink fine soy powder to customers around the world. You can learn more about Clarkson Grain from their website at www.clarksongrain.com.
On-going Activities
FarmConnect continues to search out and develop new opportunities to add value to your agricultural products. As projects are identified, we must
maintain a high level of confidentiality to allow the projects to develop. It is very difficult to relay information about these projects because:
1. The information changes from day to day
2. The information is sensitive and confidential as we work to develop each new idea.
Thank you for your continued support as we work diligently to carry out the
vision and mission of FarmConnect.
Annual Meetings
FarmConnect will be holding annual meetings at different locations across
the membership base in March, 2005. Details of meeting location and dates will be included in the next Connector and in correspondence to you as we
prepare for annual board of director nominations and elections. Please plan to attend one of the annual meetings. The meetings provide an excellent way to visit with the Board members and staff.
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