KANKAKEE, ILL. — Heartland Harvest and Indianola, Iowa-based Harvest Innovations have formed a strategic partnership to deliver new gluten-free pasta and chemical-free protein crisps to the food industry.
Heartland Harvest manufactures die cut snack pellets at its facility in Kankakee. The company recently expanded the site to allow for a doubling in capacity, and it has installed a twin screw extrusion system to allow for the manufacture of protein crisps for use in cereals and bar applications. The company also operates a research facility that allows for the development and testing of new food ingredients.

Harvest Innovations operates plants in Indianola and Deshler, Ohio. The company said it uses a chemical-free process to produce non-bioengineered and organic, gluten-free food ingredients. Harvest Innovations said it has invented egg replacers and gluten-free flours that allow companies to avoid egg and gluten allergens in their products.

“The two companies will join forces in their manufacturing and technical capabilities to provide exciting new gluten-free pasta options to the market that are not only gluten-free, but nutritious and great tasting,” said Dennis Bunck, chief operating officer of Heartland Harvest.

Barry Nadler, president of Harvest Innovations, added that “with increased consumer demands and the expansion of health food markets such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, the growing desire for non-G.M.O. and chemical-free alternatives provide a rich field of growth opportunities for both companies.”