Yorkton's TA Foods Focuses on Flax

REGINA - Jan 30/06 - SNS -- Yorkton's TA Foods, which sold a rolled oats venture to Minnesota-based Grain Millers, Inc. in 2001, is back with a line of flax based products.

The company offers both organic and non-organic ground seed and cold-pressed oil, which are sold in specialty and retail outlets around Saskatchewan, according to co-owner Terry Popowich.

Flax, known for its oil-rich seeds, is highly recommended for general well-being. It is considered to be one of nature's richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, an important dietary element.

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides, and prevent clots in arteries which may result in strokes, heart attacks and thromboses. Until recently, experts believed the best sources of omega-3 were fish oils. However, flax seed oil contains twice as much omega-3 essential fatty acids as fish oil products, without the fishy aftertaste.

"We grind the seed to break it down because you can't use the whole flax as is. It has to be ground up so you can use it. We package it ourselves under TA Foods' brand. The packaging itself is important. The product has a good shelf life because we nitrogen flush it.

"We learned from the experience we had in oat milling. It was a chance to do something new and different. We started shipping a year ago in October."

The product is not a big mover like oats used to be, but Popowich remains optimistic. "We are actively involved in the U.S. We started looking at Europe because there is quite a bit of demand for organic products in Europe."

Already, Popowich says his company has moved five to eight semi truckloads within a year. The flax initiative employs just three people at the moment, but TA Foods is expanding all the time.

"We are looking at the whole wheat flour sector and at other opportunities. We found a niche in processing locally produced commodities and we are building on our achievements."

To find out more about TA Food's flax products, visit its website at: http://www.tafoods.com/