Hälsa Foods, manufacturer of oat milk yogurts, has launched a programme to help dairy farmers grow organic oats in a Scandinavian tradition.
The dairy-free yogurt brand is bringing its Scandinavian method to organic farmers, as it reportedly results in a cleaner, more nutritious and higher quality oat crop.
Hälsa oats are currently grown in Scandinavia with a zero-water footprint.
The company has assembled a coalition of Scandinavian organic farmers, researchers and environmental experts to support the conversion process.
As part of the programme, Hälsa will put together a guidebook and video that will serve as a blueprint for other farmers on how to grow premium oats.
The first farm to be converted is located in upstate New York, in the town of Hoosick.
The owners of the High Meadows of Hoosick farm, Eric and Jamie Ziehm, and Sam Cottrell, said: “Our goal is to build a biodiverse and biodynamic eco system that has the ability to regenerate its resources. We hope this will have a positive impact and also inspire our fellow farmers who are facing many challenges today.”
The company, which secured backing from Danone, uses a 100% clean non-dairy manufacturing platform to create its oat milks and yogurts.
“Oats are one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milks and other products,” said Hälsa co-founders Helena Lumme and Mika Manninen.
“We are currently importing our organic oats from Scandinavia because we cannot find the quality that meets our standard in the United States. At the same time, US dairy farms are struggling due to slumping milk sales. So, we thought, why not come up with a solution that benefits both of us and our planet?”
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