Domestic ingredient sourcing is becoming more and more important in our supply chain. And at the heart of plant-based protein processing is PURIS's pea processing plant located in Dawson, Minnesota.
As the largest production facility for organic pea protein in the U.S., our Dawson location not only creates jobs in the local economy but also supports North American farmers and provides sustainable ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers, positively impacting our food supply.
PURIS pea Processing: How It WOrks
Throughout processing, all ingredients are verified and certified to meet SQF, HACCP, Certified Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, and Halal requirements.
Building Sustainability into every part of Our Process
Every pea that enters our processing plants has been grown using our proprietary non-GMO pea seeds by farmers who are enrolled in our PURIS Grower's Program. This approach delivers multiple benefits, including:
Economic: Provides reliable income streams for farmers
Sustainability: Helps regenerate soil through nitrogen fixation
Agricultural: Regenerative agriculture practices increase yields and decrease input costs for subsequent crops
"PURIS was founded on the development of proprietary non-GMO seeds with the idea that someday plant-based proteins would play a large role in feeding millions of people," says Nicole Atchison, CEO of PURIS. "That someday is here. PURIS offers producers the ability to participate in a value-added, closed-loop system, while providing the market for ingredient manufacturing in the Midwest."
Traceable systems build trust
Our sophisticated tracking system assigns unique codes to every batch, allowing us to trace each product back to its origins. When peas arrive in Dawson from our Harrold plant, we can identify exactly which North American farmer grew them — creating accountability throughout the supply chain.
"The development of proprietary seed stock and partnering with Midwest producers is key to producing PURIS's industry-leading pea protein isolate," Atchison adds. "Our priority remains developing higher-yielding pea varieties with improved agronomic attributes that benefit everyone in our ecosystem — from growers to food makers to consumers."
Growing Production Capacity Through Targeted Investments
Our Dawson plant's journey has been fueled by significant partnerships and investments. Cargill's joint venture with PURIS began in 2018 with a $25 million investment to enhance our Wisconsin facility. In 2019, an additional $75 million investment specifically targeted the Dawson plant, allowing us to:
- Significantly increase our processing capacity
- Expand our network of non-GMO and organic producers
- Meet the rapidly growing demand for our organic pea protein isolate, starches, and fibers
Fueling consumer demand for plant-based options
The plant-based protein market continues to expand as consumers seek alternatives that align with their nutritional goals and values. Food and beverage manufacturers increasingly turn to pea protein for its functional benefits and nutritional profile.
PURIS pea protein stands out for its clean flavor profile and is produced exclusively by non-GMO and organic farmers in North America and manufactured in the Midwest.
PURIS has established a strategic presence across the U.S. with two facilities dedicated exclusively to pea processing. Currently, we have the following locations:
- PURIS Global Headquarters (Minneapolis, MN)
- PURIS Genetics Office (Oskaloosa, IA)
- PURIS Soy Processing (Randolph, MN)
- PURIS Pea Manufacturing (Dawson, MN)
- PURIS Pea Processing (Harrold, SD)
KnoW Where Your Ingredients Come From
When you partner with PURIS, you'll always know where your ingredients come from — and feel confident in your product claims. Learn more in one of our latest webinars.
