Oklahoma State University - Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
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Milling, baking industry are meeting the whole grain need
Stillwater, Okla. – July 1, 2010
&Agricultural Products Center has a growing reputation for its work with the Oklahoma food industry and its awareness of food suppliers, large and small.
Because of this, the Tulsa County Extension Office contacted the FAPC for possible suppliers of whole grain bread products for the Kids-N-Kows & More Event in Tulsa, Okla.
Sponsored by the Tulsa County Extension Office, the Southwest Dairy Association and the Texas Extension Service, the purpose of the event is to show children how agriculture and farming are an integral part of their daily lives. Tulsa-area third and fourth graders were invited to the Mustang Arena to see live demonstrations of where milk, cotton and flour “come from.”
Because of their location and capability, Specialty Bakery, a 20-year-old Tulsa company and client of the FAPC since 2003, was asked to participate.
Specialty Bakery donated 14 cases of mini-buns, a mix of whole grain and white, to the Kids-N-Kows & More Event.
“The rolls worked out really well,” said Charlotte Richert, Tulsa County Extension educator for family and consumer sciences. “The kids made lots of positive comments. I had many requests from people on how to get the roll.”
Considering the clientele of the FAPC, whole grain flour and bakery products for consumers or school systems are not lacking, said Renee’ Albers-Nelson, FAPC milling and baking specialist.
“The FAPC continues to work with companies on meeting nutritional label requirements and regulations,” Nelson said. “Some of these companies include PBar Farms, John’s Farm, Shawnee Milling Company, Upper Red Fork Innovations, Value Added Products, Earth Elements, Persimmon Hill Farm, Granny and Prairie Thunder Baking Co.”
PBar Farms, located in Weatherford, Okla., is offering whole grain flour milled from wheat grown only in Oklahoma by sustainable no-till farming practices starting in June 2010.
Also, starting this summer, John’s Farm of Fairview, Okla., will be selling Fairview’s Best Organic Whole Wheat Flour, a certified-organic flour.
The historic Shawnee Milling Company of Shawnee, Okla., provides whole-wheat flour at the foodservice level.
Upper Red Fork Innovations of Hunter, Okla., has whole grain frozen cookies and cookie dough, and Value Added Products of Alva, Okla., provides whole grain frozen dough balls and pizza crusts.
Earth Elements of Lexington, Okla., has a variety of bakery items available in whole grain, as does Persimmon Hill Farm of Stillwater, Okla., and Granny of Meeker, Okla., fellow Oklahoma Food Cooperative members.
Prairie Thunder Baking Co. of Oklahoma City provides a European flair to the whole grain bread it offers to downtown Oklahoma City.
There are many more bakeries and millers in Oklahoma. If you need help contacting a company, require milling and baking assistance, or would like to provide a product for the Kids-N-Kows & More Event in 2011, please contact Nelson at 405-744-6071 or renee.albers_nelson@okstate.edu.
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CONTACT:
Renee' Albers-Nelson
Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
142 FAPC
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-6071
Fax: 405-744-6313
E-Mail: renee.albers_nelson@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
