Kernza® and General Mills: A Regenerative Recipe for the Future
A Breakfast Choice with a Purpose
Cascadian Farm is making waves in sustainable food innovation with the integration of Kernza, a deep-rooted perennial grain, into its popular cereal line. The cereals introduce consumers to Kernza, known for its potential to improve soil health, water retention, and carbon sequestration. This innovative addition to Cascadian Farm’s portfolio provides consumers with a delicious and convenient way to support regenerative agriculture — a natural and exciting evolution of Cascadian Farm’s longstanding and ongoing commitment to sourcing ingredients from certified organic farms.
Powerful Motivators
As a global food company, General Mills’ business is rooted in agriculture. Its commitment to regenerative agriculture aims to promote widespread restoration of ecosystems for the benefit of the communities, consumers, and food systems that depend on them.
Meeting Evolving Consumer Sustainability Expectations
Today’s consumers increasingly demand products that align with their values. Kernza offers market differentiation through sustainability, excellent taste, and a simple, feel-good way for shoppers to support eco-friendly practices. Melissa Gallant, General Mills Natural & Organic Business Unit Director, says, “We’ve received a lot of enthusiasm toward Kernza’s® on shelf presence, which highlights how the cereal is a climate-smart choice for consumers.”
Kernza® continues to gain recognition in consumer trend reports as interest in climate-smart ingredients grows. Whole Foods named Kernza® a top 10 food trend in 2022 and spotlighted it again in their 2025 “More Sustainable Sips” category. PCC Community Markets also highlighted Kernza in their top food trends for 2025, underscoring its staying power as a sustainable standout.
Creating Farmer Opportunities
By incorporating Kernza® into its supply chain, General Mills helps create new markets for perennial crops and supports farmers adopting practices that improve long-term ecosystem health.
Supporting Planetary Health, Supply Resilience, and Organizational Sustainability Goals
With its ability to thrive on fewer inputs and promote sustainable farming practices, Kernza and other perennials are uniquely positioned to support long-term resilience – an ambition at the center of General Mills’ goals of:
- Advancing regenerative agriculture across 1 million acres by 2030
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030
- Championing the regeneration of water resources in priority watersheds
“Being a CPG (consumer packaged goods) company that relies on the land and soil to subsist,” Melissa says, “we have this imperative to focus on ecosystem health to ensure a resilient food system in the long term.”
Innovation and Progress
Bringing a new perennial grain like Kernza® into the mainstream food system is no small task, but General Mills is meeting the opportunity with patience and agility. When General Mills planned to launch its first Kernza product launch in 2019, a wet season in the upper Midwest led to crop failure, making a large-scale release impossible. Rather than abandon the effort, General Mills shifted direction and transformed the launch into a fundraising opportunity for The Land Institute. This innovative pivot turned a setback into continued momentum for their regenerative agriculture goals, enabling vital research into plant breeding, ecosystem services, and market enablement.
Creating a great product was just the beginning. With its nutty, slightly sweet flavor, Kernza® is a natural fit for cereals and snacks. The next step has been building awareness, introducing shoppers to a grain that’s new to many but packed with familiar benefits. As more products hit the shelves like nationally distributed Patagonia Provisions beers and an expanding lineup of cereals and crackers, Kernza® is gaining recognition. Consumers are beginning to connect with the name, the flavor, and the purpose of Kernza®.
Why More Brands Should Embrace Kernza®
Incorporating Kernza® into product lines can offer sustainability benefits and smart business opportunities. As extreme weather continues to threaten agricultural supply chains, investing in resilient, regenerative crops like Kernza can help reduce risk and enhance supply stability. It also offers a powerful way to build credibility with stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond surface-level claims.
Collective action is key to the future of Kernza®. The more companies that use the grain, the more viable it becomes for farmers to grow it at scale. That demand fuels investment in infrastructure, lowers costs throughout the value chain, and accelerates the transition to a more regenerative food system. By joining the movement now, brands have a chance to help shape that future and benefit from it.
Ready to learn more? Explore other success stories and join the movement toward a more resilient food future.