Ardent Mills Releases FY26 ESG Report, Highlighting Progress in Community Impact, Inclusive Workplaces and Ingredient Innovation

Record volunteer service, the completion of Project Elle and continued commitment to nourishing people and supporting a more resilient food system.

DENVER, OCT 20, 2026 — Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, released its fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. The report details progress across the company’s Nourish: Intention & Impact framework, organized under four pillars: Communities, People, Planet and Ingredients. 

“As Ardent Mills grows and evolves, we have a responsibility to carry forward what has always made this company strong: our people and our values,” said Sheryl Wallace, CEO of Ardent Mills. “We sharpened our purpose this year to give us a clear direction for the future. Our team is what makes that purpose real, and I’m proud of the care and commitment they bring to serving our communities and helping shape the future of food.” 

In the fourth year of its Nourish: Intention & Impact framework, key ESG highlights include: 

PLANET:

  • Ardent Mills surpassed its 50% renewable energy goal, up from 42.9% last year, through a combination of directly sourced renewable energy, community solar participation and renewable energy credits.  
  • The company also shipped more than 300,000 pallets without stretch wrap in FY26 as part of our stretch wrap reduction initiative, avoiding an estimated 128,000 pounds of plastic and 92 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. 

PEOPLE: 

  • Ardent Mills completed Project Elle, a multiyear initiative representing $15 million in investment to improve employee areas across its facilities, helping create more welcoming, functional and inclusive workplaces.  
  • The company also launched THRIVE, its ninth employee resource group, dedicated to neurodiversity and mental health. Participation across employee resource groups reached 22.6% of the workforce, exceeding the company’s 20% target. 

COMMUNITIES:

  • In FY26, Ardent Mill’s monetary and product donations helped provide more than 3.5 million meals through partnerships with Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, Meals on Wheels America and Breakfast Club of Canada. 
  • Team members contributed a record 13,314 volunteer hours, and the company engaged more than one million students through agricultural education partnerships, such as the National FFA Organization, Agriculture Future of America, MANRRS and AgScape.  

INGREDIENTS:

  • Ardent Mills continued investing in responsible sourcing and ingredient innovation, enrolling more than 423,000 acres in its regenerative agriculture program.  
  • The company also acquired Stone Mill assets in Richardton, North Dakota, to expand capabilities in gluten-free and alternative grains, pulses and seeds. 

Ardent Mills’ ESG strategy is supported by board oversight, executive leadership and a cross-functional steering committee that meets monthly to review progress and support implementation. Its efforts align with four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action. 

As Ardent Mills looks ahead, the company remains focused on strengthening customer and grower partnerships, advancing ingredient innovation and building on investments in its people and operations to help shape a more resilient, nutritious and sustainable food system. 

To learn more about Ardent Mills’ ESG efforts and access the full report, visit the Ardent Mills ESG webpage. 

ABOUT ARDENT MILLS
Ardent Mills is transforming how the world is nourished by connecting consumers to delicious plant-based solutions. As the premier flour-milling and functional ingredient partner, we help customers and communities thrive. We have cultivated a portfolio of traditional and emerging ingredients that power the creation of the foods found on every table. Committed to innovation that improves the quality of life and the planet, our teams create new processes and products that embrace health and wellness, as well as consumer and nutrition trends. We are headquartered in Denver, Colorado and operate more than 40 locations across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. 

  
MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Anthony 
Megan.anthony@ardentmills.com 
636-675-6705