311211 - Flour Milling
The food industry often begins with essential raw ingredients, and one critical step is flour milling. If you're involved in or exploring opportunities within the food manufacturing sector, understanding NAICS code 311211 – Flour Milling is vital. This code captures the specialized industry that transforms grains into flour and other vital milling products, serving as the backbone of countless food production processes.
What is NAICS Code 311211 – Flour Milling?
NAICS code 311211 designates establishments primarily engaged in milling flour from various grains such as wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and more. Beyond simple flour production, these mills often create flour blends, prepared batters, and other grain milling products, playing a crucial role in the food manufacturing supply chain.
Sector Overview: Food Manufacturing
Flour milling falls under the broader Food Manufacturing sector, which includes processing raw agricultural products into consumable food items. Within this sector, establishments classified under NAICS 311211 focus heavily on the mechanical and chemical processing of grains for human consumption.
Typical Business Activities for NAICS 311211
Businesses operating under this NAICS code often engage in:
- Milling wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and other grains into flour and meals
- Producing flour blends and prepared mixes such as biscuit, cake, and pancake mixes
- Manufacturing specialty flours like buckwheat, potato, sorghum, and vegetable flours
- Processing grain germ, bran, and cereal grain products
- Creating brewer’s and distiller’s grits and flakes
These activities emphasize grain processing tailored not just for baking but also for brewing, distilling, and diverse food preparations.
Size Standard for NAICS 311211 Eligibility
For government contracting and small business certification purposes, the size standard for NAICS code 311211 is:
- Maximum of 1,050 employees
Companies with 1,050 or fewer employees in this industry classification can qualify as small businesses under SBA standards, which may open the door to specific contracts and programs.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 311211
Here are examples of establishments that fit within this code:
- Wheat flour mills specializing in producing all-purpose or specialty wheat flours
- Corn flour mills manufacturing cornmeal and corn-based flours
- Comprehensive grain milling establishments that produce a range of flour and grain-based products for commercial bakeries or food manufacturers
Detailed Code Description Table for NAICS 311211
| Product/Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Barley flour manufacturing | Milling barley into flour for food products |
| Batters, prepared, made in flour mills | Ready-made batter mixes produced from milled grains |
| Blended flour made in flour mills | Flour blends combining different grain flours |
| Brewers' and distillers' flakes and grits, corn, manufacturing | Corn flakes/grits used in brewing and distilling |
| Buckwheat flour manufacturing | Grinding buckwheat into flour for specialty diets |
| Bulgur (flour) manufacturing | Processing bulgur wheat flour |
| Cereal grain flour manufacturing | General production of flour from cereal grains |
| Cereal grain germ manufacturing | Extracting and producing germ from cereal grains |
| Corn flour manufacturing | Milling corn to fine flour |
| Corn meal made in flour mills | Producing coarser cornmeal for food products |
| Doughs, prepared, made in flour mills | Mixed dough products created within flour milling plants |
| Durum flour manufacturing | Milling durum wheat specifically for pasta-making flours |
| Farina (except breakfast food) made in flour mills | Milled wheat product often used in cooking and baking |
| Flour mills, cereals grains (except breakfast cereals, rice) | Broad flour milling excluding breakfast cereals and rice |
| Flour mixes made in flour mills | Pre-mixed flour blends for baking and cooking |
| Flour, blended, prepared, or self-rising (except rice), made in flour mills | Specialty flour products with additives or leavening agents |
| Fruit flour, meal, and powders, manufacturing | Flour derivates made from dried fruit powders |
| Graham flour manufacturing | Production of coarse-ground whole wheat flour |
| Grain mills (except animal feed, breakfast cereal, rice) | General grain milling excluding certain food categories |
| Grits and flakes, corn brewer's, manufacturing | Processing corn for brewing grits and flakes |
| Hominy grits (except breakfast food), manufacturing | Corn grits prepared for consumption apart from breakfast foods |
| Meal, corn, for human consumption made in flour mills | Ground cornmeal products for human food |
| Mixes, flour (e.g., biscuit, cake, doughnut, pancake) made in flour mills | Ready-to-use flour mixes for baked goods |
| Oat flour manufacturing | Milling oats into flour for diverse culinary uses |
| Potato flour manufacturing | Producing flour derived from potatoes |
| Prepared flour mixes made in flour mills | Customized flour blends and mixes for commercial clients |
| Rye flour manufacturing | Milling rye grain into flour |
| Semolina flour manufacturing | Producing coarse durum wheat flour, typically for pasta |
| Sorghum flour manufacturing | Grinding sorghum grain into flour |
| Vegetable flour manufacturing | Producing flours from various vegetables |
| Vegetable flour, meal, and powders, made in flour mills | Vegetable-based flour products |
| Wheat bran manufacturing | Extracting bran from wheat as a food or dietary product |
| Wheat flour manufacturing | Classic milling of wheat into white or whole wheat flour |
| Wheat germ manufacturing | Processing wheat germ for use in food or nutritional products |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about NAICS Code 311211 – Flour Milling
Q: What products are covered under NAICS 311211?
A: This code covers the milling of flour from grains like wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley, and related products such as flour blends, prepared batters, and cereal grain flours.
Q: What sector is NAICS 311211 part of?
A: It belongs to the Food Manufacturing sector.
Q: How many employees can a company have to qualify as a small business under this code?
A: Up to 1,050 employees.
Q: Can companies that produce breakfast cereals be included in NAICS 311211?
A: No, breakfast cereal manufacturing is excluded from this code.
Q: Are dough products made in flour mills included?
A: Yes, prepared doughs made within flour mills are part of this classification.
Q: What types of grain flours are typically produced?
A: Wheat, corn, rye, oat, barley, buckwheat, sorghum, potato, and vegetable flours, among others.
Conclusion
NAICS code 311211 – Flour Milling represents a cornerstone industry within Food Manufacturing, responsible for transforming raw grains into essential flour-based products. Whether you operate a wheat flour mill, a corn milling facility, or produce specialty flours and mixes, understanding this NAICS code is key for proper classification, government contracting, and business growth strategies.
Keep these details in mind to navigate market opportunities and comply with industry standards effectively.
