TGIFOOD

MILKY WAYS

Almond milk startup says oat milk too problematic to add to lineup for now

Almond milk startup says oat milk too problematic to add to lineup for now
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash

Oat milk is all the rage these days among fancy coffee-shop frequenters. But it faces environmental issues.

An almond milk startup says oat milk is too problematic to add to its lineup for now. New Barn Organics, a California-based almond milk producer, says it’s not rushing into making beverages from oats until a cleaner supply is available.

Oat milk is all the rage these days among fancy coffee-shop frequenters – for its froth-ability and as part of the trend toward plant-based foods. But it faces environmental issues, according to Ted Robb, chief executive officer of New Barn, the startup backed by former Whole Foods Market Inc. Co-CEO Walter Robb, who’s also on the company’s board.

Most oats are “bathed in glyphosate”, Ted, Walter’s son, said in a recent internal memo to company employees. The memo referenced Roundup, the world’s No. 1 weedkiller, whose active ingredient is glyphosate. He also said oats create “very little value” for farmers.

I’m not opposed to making an oat milk some day, but it needs to be done right,” he said.

That includes regenerative organic oats, grown in the US as a cover crop, and transparency through the supply chain, Robb said. Bloomberg DM

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Daily Maverick Elections Toolbox

Feeling powerless in politics?

Equip yourself with the tools you need for an informed decision this election. Get the Elections Toolbox with shareable party manifesto guide.