Mini Winter Grain Bundle (January 2025)

This year we are introducing a mini sample-sized version of our grain bundle for those who may not do much home cooking and baking, or who are unfamiliar with some of the seeds and grains that are offered in our full bundles.  I’ve heard from some folks that the first time they purchased a grain bundle it was a bit overwhelming.  Many of these people have later reported that it has transformed they way they eat and they now look forward to the challenge that new and interesting grains present.  The quantity and variety of food that we grow here is incredible!  But I know that it’s not for everyone.  For our mini bundle, we have included just the most common and easiest to use items for you to dip your toes into the world of local grains.  We hope that this mini bundle will be accessible even for the most hesitant home cooks!

The mini grain bundles will include the following Manitoba grown product

• Organic Naked Oats (10 lbs/4.5kg – your choice of rolled, steel cut, quick cooking, or whole/unmilled oats)
• Organic Black Lentils (5 lbs/2.2kg)
• Organic Pinto Beans (5 lbs/2.2kg)
• Organic Cornmeal (3 lbs/1.3kg)
• Popcorn Kernels (1lb/450g) (grown without chemical inputs, but not certified organic)
• Organic Millet (3lbs/1.3kg)*** (not 100% gluten safe, see link here for our gluten-free share option)
• Organic Sunflower Seeds (1lb/450g) *** (not 100% gluten safe)
• Organic Sifted Red Fife Flour (5lbs/2.2kg)***(contains wheat/gluten)

*** Although our facility and mill are dedicated to gluten free crops, there’s some pretty cool wheat-like crops growing here in Manitoba, and we certainly didn’t want to leave them out!   But for those with celiac disease or other gluten-intolerances, we have put together a smaller bundle that excludes these crops.  There are also a few items are 99.9% gluten free, but have a slight chance of contamination (millet & sunflower seeds).  These items are also left out of the GF shares.  Full details of the gluten free share is here.

Grain bundle pick ups will be in late January (Saturday, January 25th is the mostly likely date) in Winnipeg.  Details will be sent out by email a few weeks in advance with details for selecting a time to pick up your bundle.  With our ‘zero-waste’ model, you will have the opportunity to bring your own containers to collect your grains without the excess packaging so rampant in our industrial food distribution system.  For the sampler bundle, you will need to bring 6 clean jars, bags, or containers.  The oats and flour will be pre-packaged in paper bags.  I will send out a sample list and precise sizes closer to the pick-up day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Winter Grain CSA is not just about buying food.  It’s a way to connect with the land and the farms around us.  The pick-up day (in late January) will be an opportunity to meet the farmers and producers involved with growing your food, and also offers opportunities to gather, to learn, to meet others, and to share our ideas for creating a more sustainable and human-scale food system.  There will be casual workshops and learning opportunities available throughout the day, with details following in January.

There are extra portions of most grains available as add-ons if you want to fatten your bundle.  As well, there are some additional local food offerings like fresh veggie bundles, mushrooms, and dried herbs that are also available as add-ons from some of our favourite farmer-friends.

A list of the recommended types of containers and sizes that you should bring is posted on the FAQ page.  The flour products will all be pre-packaged in paper bags to help minimize gluten contamination (and flour-dust) at the pick-up day.  Oats will also be pre-packaged, although if you have a large enough pail to store them in, we’ll happily empty our paper bags into your pails.  And we’ll always have extra paper bags on hand just in case your containers aren’t fitting everything.  You won’t have to leave with your pockets stuffed full of lentils 🙂

For those who are not able to make it to our pick-up day, we suggest trying to find a friend who can pick up for you, but failing that, we can also accommodate a small number of home deliveries.  For our home delivery option, all products will be pre-packaged and your share will be boxed up and delivered to your home (Winnipeg, Stonewall, Steinbach, Kenora or Brandon addresses) approximately one week after the CSA pick-up (early February).  Select “Pre-Packaged with Home Delivery” at the checkout for a $35 fee.  Veggie bundles, mushrooms, and herbs are not available with the home delivery option as they require refrigerated storage.

If you have questions about the pick-up day, substitutions, allergens, pricing, etc, please visit our FAQ page here (or, of course, shoot us an email!)  We are also super excited to be able to offer a Sliding Scale Pricing Model for those facing financial hardship, and there’s more information about that concept here.

I look forward to seeing you in January as we create a better food system together.