Millet Makes A Mark in Healthy Eating

A sustainable grain that meets the dietary needs of health conscious consumers 

Dryland Genetics has continued to advance the genetics of proso millet through advanced breedings strategies, helping more growers see the benefit of this crop in their operation. But growers aren’t the only ones finding success with proso millet, as the uses for this versatile grain continue to expand further down the supply chain as well.

Proso millet has always been a sustainable crop to grow. Its ability to live on limited water and nutrients, while still producing high yields, has made it an excellent choice for farmers across the U.S.. But one area in which proso millet continues to gain popularity is in the food and beverage industry. As a gluten-free grain, proso millet is a top choice for people battling with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance. 

Jean Hediger, owner of Golden Prairie Inc, said this health concern created a growing interest in proso millet as a substitute for wheat. Consumers seeking gluten-free options started adding proso millet to their diets, along with their friends and family. First, it was out of courtesy—but soon proso millet became the ingredient of choice for many households. 

Golden Prairie Inc started raising proso millet 20 years ago and they are now one of the largest distributors in the country. “We’re certified organic farmers and needed something that could be rotated in the spring with hard red winter wheat,” she said. Incorporating the new crop was an experiment at first, but soon turned into a full blown business as the demand for proso millet grew. 

To meet the demand, Golden Prairie Inc teamed up with other farmers in the area to start producing proso millet, which allowed them to expand their distribution. “We sell it dehulled and distribute it to United Natural Food Incorporated (UNIF),” she said. UNFI is the largest organic and natural distributor in the U.S., with more than 40 warehouses across the country. 

The Consumer’s Choice

Today, the health food sector remains the top market for proso millet in the food and beverage industry. Hediger said most of their proso is sold in 25 or 50-pound bags to households looking for a certified gluten-free grain option. Proso is also widely used in energy bars, breakfast cereals and multi-grain breads. Some processors are also starting to grind proso millet into flour to make it a viable alternative to wheat for baking.

Proso millet is not just for the health food aisle, though. Recently, the malting and brewing industry has found value in the grain also. In fact, many breweries are making gluten-free beer and whiskey, opening the doors to more consumer demand for this versatile crop. 

As the interest for proso millet ingredients grows, so must the infrastructure for processing. “The agriculture industry does a great job of stepping up to fulfill consumer demand because we prepare for what we hope is coming and what we know is in fact coming,” Hediger said. 

Ultimately, Hediger believes that proso millet will become the health food of choice across the country. “I see proso millet being the new quinoa,” she said. Not only does it provide a comparable option in terms of nutritional value, but proso millet leads the way as a more sustainable crop to grow and distribute. In fact, the United Nations deemed 2023 the International Year of Millets, further highlighting the importance and sustainability of this crop.

In the U.S., 60% of the proso millet is currently grown in Colorado—an ideal location for distributing across the country efficiently. Hediger said this fact, combined with proso’s ability to grow with minimal water, makes it an environmentally conscious crop that producers and consumers can feel good about growing and eating.

“We are going to have to start changing our view on the environment because the food we eat is going to be determined by how much water we have,” she said. “I hope proso millet becomes a primary food on every dinner table.”

Through the continued work of Dryland Genetics to bring the latest genetics to proso millet, more growers, processors and consumers are able to enjoy this healthy and sustainable grain. Growers like Golden Prairie Inc are a vital partner to our success and we look forward to continuing to expand the market opportunities and consumer demand for proso millet across the country.