CL is all about adding value to the hard work being done at our local food pantries. We add value by delivering freshly baked whole grain bread and energy cookies, items that food banks rarely receive and that help to level up the nutrition quotient for their clients. Consuming whole grains is increasingly linked to better health outcomes, yet confusion exists on what constitutes a whole grain. We want to shed a little light on the situation.
First - what is a whole grain?
Whole grain refers to a grain that contains all three of its natural parts in the same proportions as when it was harvested — nothing removed, nothing refined away.
A grain kernel has three main parts:
Bran – the outer layer, rich in fiber, B vitamins, and minerals.
Germ – the nutrient-rich core, containing healthy fats, vitamins, antioxidants, and protein.
Endosperm – the starchy middle layer, mainly carbohydrates with some protein.
When you eat whole grain foods (like whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, barley, quinoa), you get all these parts, so they’re generally more nutritious than refined grains (like white flour or white rice), which have the bran and germ removed.
Whole grains typically have:
More fiber → supports digestion, heart health, and blood sugar stability.
More nutrients → iron, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, and phytonutrients.
A nuttier flavor and denser texture compared to refined grains.
As it relates to our specific bread recipes/formulas.
Our Satisfying Whole Wheat Loaves are 100% whole grain! They contain 100% hard white whole wheat flour.
Our Honey Oat Sandwich Loaves are considered a whole grain loaf, but are about 75% whole grain due to the blend of flours. They are made from 50% Whole Grain Bread Flour and 50% High Extraction flour. However, a few exceptions exist on the exact blend depending on local market conditions. For example, in Hailey, Idaho, we recommend the use of local, freshly milled, high extraction flour from Hillside Grain.
Our Sunflower Rye Loaves are 100% whole grain! They contain whole grain Rye flour and hard white whole wheat flour.
And let's not leave out our delicious Energy Cookie? The energy cookie is a blend of six different whole grain flours: whole grain pastry flour, whole grain oat flour, whole grain rye flour, oatmeal, whole grain chickpea flour, and almond meal (made using the whole almond!).
Mills we love to support:
Cairnspring Mills
Central Milling
Fairhaven Mill
Interested in learning more about the specific flours our formulas use? Check out this article on recommended flours and acceptable substitutions.
Visit our Flour Fundraiser online shop to check out the locally milled flours we have available for purchase at discounted prices.