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.