Ep 245 Gluten Free Grains and Millstone Organics
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
This episode begins with a short conversation with Ellen Bayens of theceliacscene.com who gives an introduction for my guest, Laurie Kelly of Millstone Farm on Vancouver Island. Millstone farm has some small animal holdings, but is best known for on-site milling of certified gluten free organic grains. Laurie explains how she and her husband made the leap into grain milling, and why gluten free. Also, Laurie has organized the donation of 6,000 gluten free sugar cookies to local charities, including the Mustard Seed Society in Victoria – the catch is, she’s asking members of the community to come to the farm to decorate the cookies. Currently, the November 20th date is fully booked, but they are looking to fill some spots on December 11th. As well, Laurie has a charming story of how her woollen dryer balls caught the eye of some celebrities, and how she was able to mingle with them.
The specialized containers Laurie spoke about were Miron Glass. You can find Millstone Farm & Organics online at https://millstoneorganics.com/ where you can also find links to their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
When Ellen first told me about Laurie and her farm, I was immediately taken with her Cookies for Community donation plan. Certainly the grain milling and her family’s commitment to gluten free are impressive, but for me, there is a special draw for her food donation work.
What Laurie’s efforts highlight to me is that anyone, can craft a way to give back to the food security movement. Some have more resources than others; some have more talents than others; some have more connections than others; but, each of us in our own ways can make a difference. Who would have thought that a farm that mills grains could contribute, but Laurie found a way.
We go through different stages in our lives when “free time” is a more, or less valuable commodity. Many of us are able to contribute gluten free food to a local food bank that has shown a willingness to distribute gluten free foods to those who need them. Others may decide to organize a food drive in their community, family, school or church. The holiday time of year is often when people are most generous, and food banks are happy to be the beneficiaries.
Our small chapter of the CCA here in Kingston, Ontario had normally met during the first half of December for a night out at a safe restaurant. The “price” of admission was a suggested donation of gluten free food, that we would see made its way to the designated food bank. Our members are no different from most other communities in that we are happy, almost giddy, to give, if they know the donation will be going to someone who needs to eat gluten free.
After a recent food drive in our community, I called the food bank to arrange to drop off the carload of food that had been collected. When I arrived, the office manager sought me out, to tell me that just before she was told I was coming, she sent out a tweet asking for gluten free donations, as their supply was getting low. It’s a big equation – clients requiring gluten free food, plus a food bank being able to keep the food separated for those clients, plus a generous community willing to keep re-stocking the gluten free shelves. Giving to a food bank is a great way to help your community, but maybe, just like Laurie, you can come up with another creative way that suits you and your resources.