The farmer’s price of $.28 on our packaging indicates what the farmer is paid for the grain contained in that loaf of bread. The gap between the amount of money farmers receive and what food buyers pay has never been greater. While the cost of food increases steadily, farm prices, in many cases remain virtually the same as they were decades ago. This does not bode well for the future of good farming. By working directly with our grain farmer we cut out the middleman, and we learn what a fair price is from the source. Then we pay it — three times what the average organic wheat grower receives.

The food miles (240) on our packaging tell us the distance our food travels from farm to plate. This figure is important because the current food production and distribution system in the U.S. expends 10-15 calories of fossil fuel energy (tractor fuel, fertilizer, processing, packaging, and shipping) for every one calorie of food energy produced. The average food item in this country travels over 1500 miles before it is eaten. In an attempt to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem, Miller’s Bake House contacted every organic wheat grower in northern California after our wonderful North Dakota farmer of eleven years, Dan Thomas, retired in 2003. Black Ranch, a unique, high altitude farm in Scott Valley stood out above the rest in terms of quality of wheat, farm practices, and experience. We look forward to working with Gary Black and his brother, Eric for many years to come.