Why Organic Integrity Drives Cream of the West
By Jody Manuel, Owner of Cream of the West
In April 2022, my wife, Crystal, and I began a new chapter as the owners of Cream of the West. While the title of "CPG business owner" is relatively new to us, our roots in the Montana soil run deep. We are farmers and ranchers by trade, coming from a lineage that stretches back to the homesteading era.
Our commitment to clean food is not merely a business strategy; it is a personal mission. In 2011, our own family farm became certified organic—a transition sparked by a family health crisis over 30 years ago. That experience ignited a lifelong passion to help repair a broken food system, and it remains the driving force behind every decision we make at Cream of the West.
The Challenge of Consumer Education
In the modern marketplace, consumers are inundated with a sea of labels. One of our primary goals in this new paradigm is to provide clarity amidst the confusion. Specifically, we want to address the relationship between Organic and Non-GMO certifications.
A common misconception is that these labels represent entirely different standards. In reality, any product that is Certified Organic is, by definition, non-GMO. The National Organic Program (NOP) strictly prohibits the use of genetically engineered organisms. As stated in Title 7 CFR 205.206:
"Seeds, seedlings, and planting stock for crops must be untreated and non-GMO."
Furthermore, it is important to note that there is currently no legally grown genetically modified wheat or other small grains in existence. Since these grains constitute the entirety of our cereal ingredients, our products have always been inherently free of GMOs.
Why We Are Moving Beyond the "Non-GMO Project" Label
With this in mind, we have made the intentional decision to discontinue the Non-GMO Project butterfly label. We view this label as redundant and unnecessarily expensive. More importantly, the Non-GMO Project standards are not as stringent or comprehensive as the National Organic Program, which monitors everything from soil health and synthetic pesticide use to the purity of the seeds themselves.
By streamlining our labeling, we are focusing our resources on what truly matters: the integrity of our ingredients.
Quality Without Compromise
When we assumed leadership of Cream of the West, the roasted wheat cereal was sourced as a byproduct from large-scale commercial flour mills. We recognized an opportunity to do better.
Today, we have overhauled our supply chain. We no longer use byproducts. Instead, we source whole, organic wheat grown right here in Montana. By utilizing the primary grain rather than the leftovers of the milling process, we provide a product that is significantly higher in fiber and more nutrient-dense than ever before.
Our Commitment to You
We believe in absolute transparency. If you have questions regarding our sourcing or would like to review our organic certifications, we are more than happy to provide them.
Our goal is to move past the marketing "noise" and return to the values of the homestead: simple, honest, and healthful food. We hope this information provides you with the confidence to keep Cream of the West a staple in your household’s healthy diet.
Jody Manuel
