The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), in partnership with Riviana Foods Inc. and Harvest Food Group, announced the launch of individually quick frozen (IQF) cooked whole grain sorghum, now available for purchase at Harvest Food Group.
This milestone marks the latest innovation effort by USCP to ensure this nutrient-rich, versatile and resource-efficient grain meets growing demand for convenient, high-quality ingredients in food manufacturing, foodservice and retail markets.
“As an IQF ingredient specialist, Harvest Food Group is excited to offer IQF cooked sorghum for the first time,” said John Vanek, Director of Sales, Ingredients & Co-Manufacturing at Harvest Food Group. “Thanks to Riviana’s innovation and processing capabilities, we can now provide IQF cooked sorghum and sorghum-based blends, side dishes and meals in a variety of pack sizes and styles for industrial, foodservice and retail applications.”
“Riviana is proud to partner with the Sorghum Checkoff to launch Ready-to-Eat (RTE)-grade IQF Sorghum,” said Terry Stover, Senior Vice President of Special Markets Sales at Riviana Foods Inc. “We’ve spent years perfecting the science of cooking and freezing both conventional and organic ingredients in a single, continuous process, and that expertise is what makes this new RTE-grade IQF Sorghum an innovative and easy-to-use addition for restaurants and food manufacturers alike.”
Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD, Director of Nutrition and Food Innovation at USCP, said the launch fills a critical need in the marketplace. “The food industry is seeking nutritious, consistent and ready-to-use grains that meet both operational and consumer needs. IQF sorghum offers a convenient, high-quality solution while conserving resources, a win for both customers and the environment. For sorghum producers, this represents a new, high-value market opportunity that connects the farm to the food supply chain in meaningful ways.”
Leveraging industry insights and strong partnerships with foodservice and CPG leaders, the Sorghum Checkoff demonstrated agility in responding to market need, collaborating with Riviana Foods and Harvest Food Group to bring an IQF sorghum product to life. This effort, spanning taste testing, quality control, supply chain coordination and production scale-up, demonstrates the Checkoff’s commitment to innovation and to ensuring this nutrient-rich grain reaches tables across America.
