AgroPages-Arcadia Biosciences’ GoodWheat supply chain is progressing in two hemispheres-Agricultural news

Demonstrating its commitment to advancing its GoodWheat™ portfolio of novel, non-GM wheat ingredients with unique health benefits to commercialization, Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKDA), an agricultural food ingredient company, announced additional progress in the development of its supply chain, led by Grant Aldridge, the company’s new Head of Commercial Development.

Since mid-2018, Arcadia has significantly expanded its grower base for unique GoodWheat varieties to provide adequate supply for its consumer and animal feed customers. To preserve the unique characteristics of GoodWheat, the company has developed a robust identity preservation system that ensures the wheat’s unique quality is maintained throughout the supply chain, from seed to food company. In addition, the company just completed counter-season planting of GoodWheat, which will increase seed inventory available for Arcadia’s grower partners. In 2019, the company plans to expand acres in the southern hemisphere which will expedite supply through a two-hemisphere production cycle and will increase access to key markets for the commercial adoption of GoodWheat.

All these activities are being driven by Aldridge, a crop production agriculture expert who brings more than 25 years of experience in agribusiness to Arcadia. Aldridge has served leadership roles in several major agriculture and biotechnology companies, executing new market models for high-value traits in corn, soybeans, melons and novel industrial crops. He has enjoyed a track record of success in every aspect of commercialization, from research and product development to commercial operations like sales, marketing and crop production management. Aldridge has a master’s degree in plant genetics and breeding from Purdue University.

“These supply chain advancements demonstrate our commitment to bringing our GoodWheat portfolio to market, enabling consumers to improve nutrition by eating foods they love,” said Raj Ketkar, president and CEO of Arcadia. “Grant is an excellent addition to our team, and he adds the level of expertise and proven experience that will help us successfully launch GoodWheat.”

“What has impressed me about Arcadia is the progress being made driving tangible innovation in wheat – a crop that has seen limited innovation over the past 75 years,” said Aldridge. “With the GoodWheat product portfolio, we will enhance value throughout the supply chain, allowing growers to capture more value on the farm, consumer packaged goods companies to differentiate their brands in the marketplace, and consumers to get the nutrients they need by eating foods they enjoy.”

Arcadia’s GoodWheat platform is a portfolio of novel non-GM wheat varieties including high fiber resistant starch, reduced gluten and others. These varieties have been specially bred for unique value using Arcadia’s non-GM TILLING platform and can be delivered as organic or conventional wheat. GoodWheat was developed to add value to the entire wheat supply chain, from seed to table, by enabling a wider range of healthy choices to meet evolving consumer demands. First sales of GoodWheat are expected in the next 12 months.