Flour Power!
Photo by Hilary Swift for the New York Times
The New York Times ran a wonderfully written Opinion piece by Tim Wu last week entitled "That Flour You Bought Could be the Future of the US Economy". (I loved it so much I am starting an unfounded conspiracy theory that it was actually written by my husband and co-Founder Tim Fu. Check it out, it's trending on the dark web.) If you subscribe to the Times, accessing the article should be clickable, if not subscribing is easy, and is $1 week. It is 100% worth it just for the daily delightful food insights of Sam Sifton whose calming words and renegade recipes just might be carrying us through all this madness.
Back to flour.
The article is a revelation. It talks about how giant corporations have taken over the American Food scene; how workers, the environment and the product suffers as a result. It talks about how small companies like Maine Grains (whose Flour you got just two weeks ago and whose Oats are in for the Vegetarians this week!) are waging their small war to make a better way forward. An excerpt:
"The abandoned mills are testament to the fact that during the 20th century, the business of flour was almost entirely overtaken by large, centralized operations. For many decades now, flour has been ruled by the central dogma of American business strategy: maximization of size and scale, ideally to the point of monopoly. Most of America’s large national corporations are built on this model. The exemplars, like pharmaceutical companies, airlines and cable operators, have particularly deep “moats” (barriers to competitive entry like patents) and fat profits.
This bigger-is-better, dominate-the-industry strategy is a major reason the American economy is as oligarchical and homogeneous as it is. It leads to large national companies that richly reward shareholders and executives while limiting workers’ salaries and reducing the prospects for smaller or local competitors. The sale of flour is no different.
Companies like Maine Grains and King Arthur are challenging the commodity pressures in flour markets using methods that were pioneered in the craft beer and local produce markets. The commodity industry takes flour as flour — just an ingredient, the cheaper the better. But baking is also an emotional experience, an act of creation in its beauty and intensity, a longstanding symbol of the home. And it provokes, in some, a yearning to connect with local soil and local land."
Guys, I know that was far longer than our harried, over-worked and distracted brains are able to handle right now. The short of it is that hits the bullseye on EXACTLY what we are all doing here together at Family Dinner.
We believe in the power of small businesses, local farms, and artisan purveyors. When you spend your dollars at Family Dinner you are supporting a large network of the little guys. Like Maine Grains, Clark Farm, Feather Brook Farm, Brookford Farm, A&J King (who use TRUCK LOADS of Maine Grains in their delicious goods) , Red's Best, Forge and on and on. The folks trying to do it right, and be the David to the Industrial Ag Goliath.
When I saw this article, I ran a victory lap around the house, arms to the sky, like I was Megan Rapinoe in the World Cup. Instead of yelling "GOAAAL" I yelled "OOOOOOAATS!"; to be subject matter appropriate. Tim and the dog think I am insane. But its so nice to see a little love for the little guy on a national stage.
Thank you for working with us on this, to being a part of the mission, we are unendingly grateful.
Hugs and High Fives!
Erin, Tim, and the Family Dinner Team
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Only - Omnivore Share" - you will just receive the meats listed, not the "dairy " items (eggs, yogurt etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Only" Share you will receive the fish listed, and not the dairy items
Grain of the Week: Oats from Maine Grains
The Maine Grain Oats are also part of the Vegetarian Protein this week. We wanted to stir things up a bit and try something new. We have included some savory oat ideas below.
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Tail Flounder from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Oats from Maine Grains; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Blueberries from Kimball Fruit Farm; Beets from Clark Farm; Swiss Chard from Brookford Farm and Drumlin Farm; Corn from Drumlin Farm
Grain - Bread from Forge Baking Co
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Tail Flounder from Red's Best; Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Tail Flounder and Salmon from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Vegetarian Proteins - Oats from Maine Grains; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Tamales from Tex Mex Eats; Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Paleo Proteins - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Tail Flounder from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Blueberries from Kimball Fruit Farm; Beets from Clark Farm; Swiss Chard from Brookford Farm and Drumlin Farm; Corn from Drumlin Farm; Greens from Generation Farm and Queen's Greens; Squash from Clark Farm
Grain - Bread from Forge Baking Co
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's; Cookie from Forge Baking Co
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Tail Flounder from Red's Best; Ham Steak, Cheese and Greek Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Tail Flounder, Black Sea Bass and Salmon from Red's Best; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Greek Yogurt and Cheese from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Blueberries from Kimball Fruit Farm; Beets from Clark Farm; Swiss Chard from Brookford Farm and Drumlin Farm; Corn from Drumlin Farm; Greens from Generation Farm and Queen's Greens; Squash from Clark Farm
Grain - Bread from Forge Baking Co; Crackers from Brewer's Crackers
Special Treat - Caramels from McCrea's; Cookie from Forge Baking Co
RECIPES
Savory Oatmeal: Oatmeal for Lunch? Why the heck not?? And while you're at it why not stir fry up some of those greens you have been neglecting in the fridge and invite them to the party?
More Savory Oat Bowls: A few other nods to this savory dish.
Oat Bars: Make your own snacks and skip the chemicals and other junk. Better yet, make the kids make them and get them out of your hair.
Flounder with Corn Salsa: If you don't have poblanos just use a simpler corn salsa recipe.