Diversifying Perennial Nut Processing to Increase Farm Revenue and Meet Market Demand

Commodities

Practices

Route 9 Cooperative, consisting of seven regional farms members, is well poised to meet the growing demand for nut flours by both increasing the processing output at their facility and building a replicable model for diverse soft shell nut processing throughout the region. 

Since the region’s newly planted chestnut orchards will take up to a decade to reach maturity and generate income, the 100,000 lb of chestnuts Route 9 ships and processes annually represents only 50% of their capacity. To maximize the cooperative’s income and local employment opportunities we propose adding acorns to meet the coop’s full capacity of soft-shelled nut processing. If successful, Route 9 could diversify their overall market and network. 

We will trial the use of Route 9’s chestnut processing equipment for acorns, develop an acorn flour, and research the use of a coffee roaster to enhance the flavor of nut products. We will continue to work with the local miller that Route 9 partnered with in the SARE OFP 019.22 Partnership Grant.

We anticipate that the nuance in roasting times and temperatures of coffee roasters will result in specialized chestnut and acorn products that artisan beverage and food manufacturers – including bakers, brewers and ice cream makers – want to use. We also expect that the roaster, which will dry and roast up to 60# of nuts per hour, will increase efficiency of Route 9’s current equipment, which requires several days to reach the desired moisture level and flavor.

Objectives:

1. Scale up Route 9 nut processing, incorporating acorns, to increase capacity and revenue.
2. Evaluate current cooperative equipment, test coffee roasters.
3. Distribute findings and samples to target audience.

Outcomes: 

Seven producers and processors will:

1. Increase capacity to process chestnuts and acorns 
2. Increase revenue by:
   1. Adding new products
   2. Increasing product market value 
   3. Developing best processing practices 
   4. Using facilities for expanded storage and distribution 

Long-term Impacts:

1. Increase in chestnut and acorn cultivation to meet growing demand.
2. Model of farmer-owned processing centers replicated in other areas.
3. Increases economic viability of perennial nut production. 

Audience: Nut growers, millers, culinary professionals and food distributors.