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Seed to Spoon Journey – Quaker Oats Visit

This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, with whom I’ve partnered with to learn about the oat journey. All opinions are my own.

Oatmeal is one of those foods that is savored uniquely by each person. When I think about the many recipes I’ve created with this simple, yet nutritious ingredient; I can’t help but smile at the joy that it brings me to eat them for breakfast and as a snack.

Laura Fuentes at Cedar Rapids Iowa

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Quaker Oats facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; also known as the epicenter of the brand’s oat processing efforts into the products we, the consumers, see on the store shelves.

You could say that it was exciting to see how their canisters were made; because did you know that the tube of oats we find at the store are made on site? But no. What was most exciting was meeting a group of people so passionate about oats, that it was contagious.

Quaker supports the agricultural efforts of more than 400 farmers that work alongside them through their Direct Growers program, which started in 2009. These farmers are committed to growing the highest quality oats that meet Quaker’s standards.

groats at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids

And of course, you already know how my heart feels about the amazing farmers that make our food, the food we enjoy eating, possible. To them, their fields are their livelihood and they are passionate about yielding the highest quality oat.

Laura Fuentes in Cedar Rapids Iowa at Quaker Oats

Touring the facility was impressive. It was the first time they had invited a small group to see behind the scenes of the rigorous testing they place in their oat shipments to the milling of the grain into groats and furthermore, into the oat varieties most of us have in our pantry.

I also learned a ton. No, not a lot. I mean a ton. I’m fascinated by how our food is made and therefore, I’m always asking questions that start with “how” and “why.” I must have sounded like a curious toddler to the Quaker team but guys, I was smitten by all the research and quality control processes and facts.

I learned that all of the oat products that we see on the shelf, regardless of the cooking time, start as a groat. What changes is whether the groat is cut with steel blades (Quaker Steel Cut Oats) or rolled to make the gorgeous flakes we know as Quaker Old Fashioned Oats.

That seems pretty self-explanatory, but what I didn’t know is that they rolled the steel cut oats into small flakes to make the Quaker Instant Oats and the Quick 1-Minute Oat! No matter the cut of oat, it’s 100% whole-grain; meaning, the grain itself is intact, and it provides the same nutrition we love from oats.

Quaker oats canisters being made

By the end of lunch with an incredible team of Quaker employees, from the plant facility manager to one of the Direct Grower farmers from Canada that visited the facility with us, what was most apparent is their passion for making a great product.

What is your favorite Quaker Oats variety? Steel Cut, Old Fashioned, Quick 1-Minute, or Instant Oats?

More Travel

  • How to Road Trip Safely this Summer with your Family
  • How Corn is Grown in Iowa | Corn & Black Bean Salsa Recipe
  • Cinnamon Roll Pancake Recipe {Cinnabon Inspired}
  • While in Minneapolis, I had the opportunity to connect with the great people behind Pinch of Yum and brush up on my food photography skills.
    Food Photography Workshop in Minneapolis

Reader Interactions

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  1. Erin

    December 01, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing what you learned with us Laura! I have always wondered about the processing of different types of grains but never researched it for myself. I’m an old-fashioned girl most often but the steel cut oats are great for a thick, creamy different version.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      December 04, 2017 at 8:43 am

      I’m an old fashioned oats girl myself!

      Reply
  2. Cindy

    November 30, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    Very informative. I’ve been using Quaker for years because their flakes are bigger and I always feel like they have better quality.

    Reply
  3. Matt

    November 30, 2017 at 11:07 am

    What a fun trip, Laura.

    Reply
  4. Margaritte

    November 30, 2017 at 10:57 am

    I really enjoyed reading this experience, Laura. So glad you take the time to go places to learn how our food is made. thank you.

    Reply
  5. Sherri Sparaga

    November 20, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    Yum, this is what I have for breakfast every morning! Love my Quaker Oats.

    Reply

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