Buckwheat Milk Launches at Whole Foods Markets

The new dairy alternative seeks to boost domestic crop production following an October 2026 national retail rollout.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Organic Food

Buckwheat Milk Launches at Whole Foods Markets

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In October 2026, Paige Hansen introduced a new buckwheat-based milk product into national Whole Foods Markets. Developed at the Cornell Food Venture Center, the beverage aims to reinvigorate interest in the crop.

Why it matters

Hansen aims to expand the buckwheat market to incentivize more farmers to plant the crop, which is valued for its ability to suppress weeds and rebuild soil. Increased demand could encourage more farms to pursue organic certification.

Buckwheat requires only 10 to 12 weeks to produce seed, offering a fast-growing cycle for farmers. The crop was a staple in the United States until the mid-20th century, when production fell out of favor.

The players

Paige Hansen

She is the developer behind the new buckwheat-based milk product launched at national retail stores.

The Birkett Mills

Located in Penn Yan, N.Y., this facility processes buckwheat using historic milling technology while providing price guarantees to farmers.

Dan Gladstone

He manages 800 acres of organic crops in Newfield, N.Y.

New Barn Organics

This company partnered with the product developer to facilitate distribution in retail stores.

Cornell Food Venture Center

This organization served as the development site for the buckwheat milk powder.

The details

Partnering with New Barn Organics, Hansen is distributing the product nationwide after refining the milk powder at the Cornell Food Venture Center. The Birkett Mills in Penn Yan, N.Y., supports this effort by processing the buckwheat using 200-year-old milling stones to maintain traditional quality.

The Birkett Mills has processed buckwheat since the 18th century.
Buckwheat fell out of favor as a food crop during the mid-20th century.
Global production reached 2 million tons in 2024.
Paige Hansen launched the milk product in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The introduction of this product seeks to reverse the historical decline of buckwheat as a staple U.S. food crop. By modernizing the crop's utility, producers are attempting to integrate an ancestral staple back into contemporary dietary rotations.

Consumers can find the new buckwheat milk product at Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. The shift toward this crop may eventually lead to more organic products appearing on shelves as farmers incorporate buckwheat into their planting cycles.

The takeaway

Buckwheat offers a sustainable, fast-growing option for farmers looking to diversify their land management. Integrating such crops into daily routines supports soil health and encourages the expansion of organic agricultural practices.