ST. LOUIS – Bunge North America has purchased the assets of Heartland Harvest, Inc., a producer of die cut pellets used to make extruded foods, Bunge North America said March 6. The pellets are made from a variety of starches, which then are expanded through popping, baking or frying to create extruded food products.
Heartland Harvest opened in 2007 and owns a plant in Kankakee, Ill. The company offers pellets for use in such applications as kosher, non-bioengineered/non-G.M.O., organic and gluten-free.
“Consumer demand for innovative and healthier foods is growing, and H.H.I. ingredients can be used to make better-for-you snacks,” said Wade Ellis, general manager of Bunge Milling. “This facility (in Kankakee) also has the flexibility to use starches such as ancient grains and sweet potatoes as well as corn, rice and potatoes, expanding the product portfolio we can offer our customers.”
Financial terms of the acquisition were not released. Bunge expects to keep a majority of the people working at the Kankakee facility.
