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Farm Kitchen:  Chemical-Free Flour - any thoughts??  |
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mom2my2boyz
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
Sarah
MN
USA
56 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 07:29:18 AM
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Hi, Girls-
My family and I are doing our very best to go organic wherever possible and I'm going to be needing another large bag of flour for our breads and we've used up our "conventional" flour. Here's my question - as you know, Organic flour is VERY expensive (and we're on a very tight budget, as I'm sure many of you are) - I called my favorite bulk store and they have Montana Wheat (I think that was the brand) flour that is chemical-free and GMO-free (so it's not genetically modified freek-of-nature wheat)and it's "certified natural" and it's HALF the price of the organic. What would you do??? Is chemical-free/GMO-free/natural good enough? or would you recommend only organic?? Would love to hear what my MaryJane Farmgirls think - fill me in! 
Thanks, Girls!
"So I threw my hands in the air. I was done with Wal-Mart and Wonderbread. I wanted something real."
-Excerpted from Jenna Woginrich's book, "Made from Scratch" a must-read! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 08:49:48 AM
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I think Organic is best, BUT at the same time the Montana Wheat is a very good alternative. If you can't go for fully organic at this time, and believe me I am in total sympathy! I would say the Montana Wheat is the next best option. If you go to the Montana Wheat website, a 50lb bag is about $25-$27 depending on the variety. However, if you go to the Bob's Red Mill site, 50# of the organic hard white would be $40. So there is some savings if you go with Montana Wheat, but not quite half. You would be saving approximately $13-$15.
Try checking to see if these online prices might be a bit cheaper than your bulk store. They are making a profit even if it is just a small one, and if you go straight to the source online sometimes you can save yourself some money. Also another idea is to see if you have a flour mill in your area. Sometimes they will mill organic flour and you can save some money going there too.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 3:32:20 PM
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Sounds like you are trying to do everything right so I might say do not beat yourself up too much. I am an organic farm and try to do my best to only purchase organic but I know that it can not always be possible. My biggest issue is also not to purchase GMO - I am one of those who see's the damage we are doing to our seeds and feel that also is a must to stay away from. My next is that the product is not traveling too far - again I understand that we all do not have things close. Last I try to support the small growers but around here land still is not being used for food but rather for McMansons or should I say forclosures. So do the best you can and also be kind to yourself. We can not have it all - at least you are giving it great thought, teaching your family and supporting the betterment of the planet.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2009 : 03:31:12 AM
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Hi Sarah, I just found another site that you can buy organic in sizes as small as 2# on up to 50# and the prices look fairly reasonable to me. 25# all purpose certified organic white all purpose flour is $24.17-- 50#'s is $45.93 Organic stone ground whole wheat is $24.17 for a 25# bag and $45.93 for 50#. They have many different varieties of flour, meals, brans, whole grains, rolled and flaked grains. No idea on shipping and handling. I found them while I was looking for sources. It's Heartland Mills and the addy is: http://s55352.storefront-solutions.com/default.aspx This is for their online store front.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
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cindiloo
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Cindi
Rathdrum
ID
15 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2009 : 4:53:54 PM
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You're ding good by getting Montana Wheat. We have our own grinder/mill and get M-wheat. It is great and once you get used to making things with it, you'll never go back to regular. No mind you, some recipes that call for regular flour, like cakes, you will need to use organic because all wheat will be too heavy and grainy. But you can keep some organic regular on hand to mix in as well. I have many recipes for bread, scones...if you need some. Do you have a mill and plan on grinding?
Through God all things are possible. |
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Farm Kitchen: Chemical-Free Flour - any thoughts?? |
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Chemical-Free Flour - any thoughts??
