Transaction Expands HFI’s Portfolio of Organic, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Ingredients

Healthy Food Ingredients (HFI) announced today that it has reached an agreement to purchase Heartland Flax, a leading manufacturer of flax and flax oil. HFI plans to close the transaction this fall, adding to its current product portfolio of non-GMO, organic, certified transitional, gluten-free, and identity preserved ingredients, including pulses, grains, seeds, soybeans, expeller oils, and Suntava Purple Corn. Heartland will become the fourth brand to join the HFI family, which also includes SK Food International, Hesco/Dakota Organic Products, and Suntava® (and its one-of-a-kind Suntava Purple Corn®), which HFI acquired in late 2015.

HFI will enhance and grow the Heartland Flax facility, based in Valley City, ND, which is in close proximity to other HFI facilities. Brad Hover, HFI CEO, says his company will expand on what Heartland does best to further meet consumers’ growing appetite for foods that are healthy, organic and not genetically modified.

“This acquisition perfectly aligns with our strategic plan to grow HFI through selective brand additions and new, innovative healthy ingredients to feed consumer demand for health and wellness,” Hover said. “We’re excited to form additional strategic partnerships with farmers and food manufacturers, from seed to the food products that nourish lives.”

Heartland Flax has a 5-log micro-reduction process in a gluten-free GFSI facility. In addition, portions of the facility are dedicated gluten-free. It also capabilities of ancient grain processing, retail packaging, and availability of climate-controlled warehouse facilities.

Luther Dietrich, Heartland Flax president, is eager to bring additional value to Heartland customers. “We’ll have greater opportunities to provide solutions for multiple ingredient needs and to expand into new markets, domestically and internationally.”