Innovation

Oat & Mill’s main innovation is its circular production model. From their dedicated dairy-free facility, they work directly with local farmers to use overripe fruits, such as strawberries, that would otherwise be discarded. This approach not only reduces food waste but also provides naturally sweet ice cream, benefiting both the business and the environment.

They also have implemented new packaging to further reduce their carbon footprint. The packaging eliminates plastic by using paper as well as a sugar cane lining in the cup. The sugar cane acts like plastic, allowing the container to remain durable.

This circular system not only eliminates waste, but focuses on creating supplier relations with local farmers/producers, enabling a tight knit group of partners that cut down on transportation costs and emissions. By integrating small to medium sized suppliers, Oat & Mill is doing their part in reducing carbon emissions and keeping landfills empty.

Sustainable ice cream created in a circular system

Inspiration

Candace Tierney was inspired to create a plant-based ice cream alternative. Her interest in oat milk began after noticing its popularity in Sweden in 2015. She started with a small stall at a local farmers’ market, and due to high demand and positive feedback, decided to expand to grocery stores. However, once they made this leap, Candace realized the amount of waste that came into shipping into big grocery stores.

"And it's pretty obvious when you don't have a background of this and then you start to see a full pallet pile of plastics from one day's production and you start to think wow okay there must be something I can do here."

She was extremely shocked at the amount of trash that was being produced day-in, day-out, and decided to make a change. She went to suppliers and asked for orders to be filled in paper containers, rather than plastic, to cut down on their overall waste. From this, the idea of a circular system with zero waste got momentum, and Oat&Mill has stayed committed to this idea to create a cleaner world for their community.

Overall impact

The impact of this innovation has been significant for both the business and the community. In the short term, the company has greatly reduced its waste by working directly with farmers to acquire fruits that would otherwise be lost. This hasn't come without a cost though. They have spent time and energy communicating with farmers on how to create more sustainable packages for raw ingredients, and resources on innovating a new packaging that is plastic-free. In the short-term, this has cost them financially, however with this goal being consistent with their mission statement, long-term is has a much more positive outlook.

In the long term, Oat & Mill has established a more sustainable supply chain and has inspired other local small businesses to adopt similar practices. Additionally, they have raised awareness among consumers about the importance of responsible production, establishing themselves as a model of sustainability in the food industry. 

With the company starting off at local farmer's markets, this no waste approach to their business aligns perfectly with their company values. They haven't forgotten their roots, and because of this their long term effects include high retention of consumers. Candace mentioned during her interview that customers used to drive three to four hours to get their hands on a tub of her ice cream, and this is in part due to the local ingredients she uses.

Business benefit

Thanks to its sustainable model, Oat & Mill has reduced costs by minimizing waste and strengthening relationships with local suppliers. This has improved efficiency and generated unique products, such as strawberry ice cream made from overripe fruits. In addition, it has led to partnerships with various grocery stores across Ontario that focus on providing organic, local foods. A key example of this is Sobeys, which is the organization that Oat & Mill partnered with for their local strawberry ice cream. They are also stocked in other grocers similar to Sobeys, such as Whole Foods, Nester Markets, and Foodland. Their circular system, as well as a commitment to sustainability, have helped them market themself to obtain these partnerships. 

The innovation has strengthened Oat & Mill’s brand image as a leader in sustainability, attracting local consumers interested in eco-friendly products and expanding its market across Canada. Employee wellbeing has also risen from these commitments, as employees feel they can be more confident about the work their company is doing.

Social and environmental benefit

This innovation benefits both society and the environment by reducing food waste and promoting more sustainable production. By purchasing products from local farmers that would otherwise go unused, Oat & Mill supports the local economy and minimizes the carbon footprint associated with ingredient transport.

Their focus on recyclable packaging and reducing plastics in their supply chain also aligns the company with environmental protection goals. With excess waste becoming a larger problem everyday, companies like Oat & Mill that are committing to zero-waste and using resources to undertake these endeavours are especially admirable, and exactly what the world needs right now. With many news sites reporting we are nearing the 'tipping point' of Earth's ecosystem, it is now more important than ever for companies to pivot to sustainable practices.

Interview

Candace Tierney, Founder