Behind the Scenes at the Mill and Orca Heritage Bean Salad

This is behind the scenes at the mill but not just any mill – it’s Bob’s Red Mill! And, yes, there really is a Bob. He couldn’t be any nicer and Bob, along with his wife, started Bob’s Red Mill when they retired years ago. It actually began as a little store – until a fire burned the store to the ground. After that fire, Bob and Charlee decided to turn their little red store into a business and that’s how “Bob’s Red Mill” got its start.

Trust, honesty, and integrity are the guiding principles of their company. They produce whole grain foods – what I like to call real food – and sell a product that provides better nutrition for all of us – the customers. Bob also gave his company to his employees – another example of what type of person he is.

It was a fun filled behind the scenes tour, with several Portland area bloggers. We got to see the stones that are used to grind their grains and wheat. We also got to meet and say hello to the folks who work there.

Their company is good to the earth by being good stewards but also by reusing and recycling all of their shipping containers. They purchase only non-GMO grains from “identity preserved” non-GMO seed. They are also enrolled in the Non-GMO Project.

Bob’s Red Mill products can be purchased online but if you’re ever in the Portland area, you have to go to the store. We’re lucky enough to live close by and stock up whenever we need to. What do we buy? Whole wheat flour, brown rice, oats and dried beans – in 25lb bags! We also like their popcorn, unsweetened coconut, and cornmeal. I keep the flour, brown rice, and oats in our freezer. (Here’s how our freezer gets used.)

Anyone can visit the Bob’s Red Mill store – and they have a tasty restaurant there, too. You can also take a tour of the mill itself. (Details about mill tours are here.)

Bob’s Red Mill is sold at lots of grocery stores but check in the bulk bin section to see if your favorite Bob’s Red Mill product is located there too. I like to support sustainable, non-gmo, real food companies with our food dollars. Yes, Bob’s Red Mill is local to us but I see their products everywhere – and you can order online.

Orca Heritage Bean Salad – courtesy of Bob’s Red Mill and used with permission. Image in recipe from Bob’s Red Mill.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this behind the scenes tour at the old mill. A big thank you to Bob’s Red Mill for taking us on the tour and spending the day with us! Special thanks to Fabiola of Not Just Baked for organizing it!

Are Bob’s Red Mill products available where you live? What’s your favorite Bob’s Red Mill product to buy?

Go Gingham related links:

Why I cook with dried beans – complete with money saving chart!
Very easy and tasty white bean dip
How to cook with dried beans – easy and you can use a slow-cooker
Vegetarian chili made with dried beans – of course!
Corn and black bean salad – made with dried beans
Spicy hummus – yes, spicy and made from dried beans!

Since we’re talking about sustainable, non-gmo, real food companies, my friends at Earthbound Farm and I are co-hosting a Twitter Party! The party is Thursday March 26, 2015 from 5pm to 6pm PST. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow me there – Go Gingham – and join in on the Twitter Party fun! We’ll be sharing recipes and ideas to get us from winter time comfort food to lighter meals that celebrate the arrival of spring! Earthbound Farm Twitter Parties have the best prizes, too. Join us and embrace new palate ideas at our #SpringMixItUp Twitter Party!