The Fresh Loaf

News & Information for Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts

Shipping whole grains.

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beeman1's picture

Shipping whole grains.

Has anyone figured out a way to ship whole grain? The companys that I have checked seem to use UPS. The price of shipping is more than the price of the grain. I have been unable to find a local source so far.

OldDoughNut's picture

Have you looked for a local food co-op? 

There's a "food co-op directory" available if you google for it, but that's just a starting point.  Some co-op distributors will help you locate a co-op in your area.

I ended up finding a small group of co-workers and their friends who had formed a co-op.  The freight charge I see on my bill is negligable and is usually eliminated by the volume discount our group typically gets on our orders.

Good luck!

tadmitchell's picture

The next cheapest option after UPS is shipping it on a truck, but you need to get quite a bit. I ordered a ton once and had it sent on a truck. My favorite place to get wheat is Walton Feed in Idaho. I really like their red spring wheat and like their white spring wheat. It depends year to year, but I like their wheat better than what I've gotten from Montana milling. If you call Walton Feed they will tell you people in your area that do large orders once a year. You can then call them and tag along on their order. They also put together their own truckloads. If you're ordering enough, you can participate in that.

If you live in a region that grows wheat (North Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota) you can get it directly from seed companies. Just make sure it's not treated. It's really cheap this way. You just need to watch out for pests more since it hasn't been as thoroughly cleaned like Walton does.

The cheapest way to get wheat bar none is to talk to your Mormon friend and have them hook you up with the nearest cannery. They have canneries across the nation to do dry pack canning for food storage. You don't have to dry pack the grain the #10 cans. Instead you can purchase the 25# bags. Unfortunately, I think with the wheat shortage, they are out right now, a first. Just wait until summer when the new grain gets harvested.

Finally, a word to the wise. If you're going to purchase a lot, do a trial first. Depending on the variety and the year, wheat performs very differently. (I've got 500 pounds of worthless wheat from Walton (my favorite supplier, bad year) in my basement.) I asked my wife to order a couple samples for me so I could do this once. She ordered 20 varieties from across the nation. The difference in performance and taste was incredible. My favorite was the stuff I got from Walton Feed. I also like the white wheat from the Mormons. I've never used another white wheat that puffs so nicely, but it's not good all alone. I use 50% white and 50% red from Walton. Beautiful loafs, flavor and performance.

TheBlackCow's picture
TheBlackCow is a network of grain co-ops that ship throughout the country, delivering every 3 months or so.

Mike Avery's picture
Mike Avery

Check with your local health food stores.


They will usually order bulk stuff at a big discount for you and there is usually no shipping charge.  They order from their wholesaler and it is delivered at no addtional cost to the health food store or you.


Normally you can order one week and get it the next.


Call around and ask whoever answers the phone who handles ordering, they usually handle bulk orders too.




LindyD's picture

I was doing a Google search for organic beef last night and happened to hit upon a farm in the area that not only sells organic beef, but grows eight acres of hard red winter wheat which they sell at a local farmer's market in late summer.

Sometimes little gems pop up in such searches.