SSGA launches specialty grains action team

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) team often refers to the organization’s main priorities as the “three legs on a stool.” Since SSGA’s inception in 2019, transportation and soya are the two stool legs that have received more attention, but with the launch of the Specialty Grains (SG) action team, that will no longer be the case. SG action team members recently met to set its core priorities and activities for the upcoming year.

This action team will focus on all specialty crops, their products and derivatives. This, of course, is not a short list. With many organizations focusing on grains, including the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Dry Bean Council, Ameriflax, and more, SSGA will have plenty of collaborators in this realm.

“The purpose of the action team is to focus on containerized shipments of identity-preserved (IP) grains,” says SG action team chair Sheila Sauve. “With many potential partners, we will have our work cut out for us to develop relationships and work with these groups to bolster the entire industry.”

A few of the markets identified as priority for this action team include Southeast Asia, North Asia and Europe. Hybrid rye and grains for brewing and distillation are some priority crops.

SSGA staff member David Miller has been tasked with developing programming and events for this action team. To assist in increasing exports of IP specialty grains, possible future activities include web calls with prospective customers in key markets, a healthy food ingredients conference, trade missions and other overseas activities. Contact Miller by email to participate in the action team.

“There is an abundance of U.S.-grown specialty grains that have great potential in overseas markets,” Sauve says. “This action team looks forward to advancing and communicating the great value of IP field crops. Traceability is so important in specialty grains and customers want assurances of quality.”