Last month when I visited my family in Oregon, I had the opportunity to visit Bob’s Red Mill.
I have been to the Bob’s Red Mill Store before. In fact, I have been there many times. I grew up in the Portland area and remember my best friend’s mom and sister going there in the early 1990’s to purchase flour and other products from them.
And I have visited Bob’s Red Mill almost every time I have visited Oregon over the last seventeen years. In fact, the few times that we have driven out to Oregon, I have hauled back several hundred pounds of grains to Oklahoma. I have even met Bob of Bob’s Red Mill a few times on my visits.
Yes, I think you can say that I love Bob’s Red Mill.
This last trip out to Oregon though I was able to do more than just visit the store. I got a behind the scenes tour of the mill and what goes on. I was thrilled to be able to see how they process and grind their products. And I was excited to see how they process and keep their gluten free products safe and truly gluten free.
My first thought when I entered Bob’s Red Mill was what a great company it must be to work for. You could instantly tell that the employees loved working there and cared about the company. And they should care because Bob’s Red Mill is an employee owned company. The employees truly do care about the company and the quality of the product they produce because it is their company.
My sister Flora joined me for the tour. As we toured the mill we both kept thinking, “Wow that is a lot of grain.” And it is a lot of grain.
In 2010 about 60 million lbs of grain went through Bob’s Red Mill. Not only that, but they had about 12 million lbs of other products go through the mill. That is about 125,000 packages a day. That is a lot of whole grain healthy products!
It was very interesting to see how efficient they were with the whole process from the grinding to the packaging.
Bob’s Red Mill turns over 90% of their product every three weeks. I love this fact. This means that their products are not sitting around in a warehouse for months and months. They do their best to get their product to the consumer as soon as possible.
They also continually test their products in a lab and test kitchen to make sure they are up to the standards that their consumers expect.
The part of the tour I really enjoyed was the gluten free area. Several in my family eat gluten free, so finding high quality, good tasting gluten free products is important to me.
Bob’s Red Mill has a totally different section where they process their gluten free products. It has a different ventilation system and they keep everything separate. They test the gluten free products multiple times throughout the time that they enter and leave the mill to be sure they continue to stay gluten free and safe. And they have a totally different lab, in a separate area, where they do all the gluten free testing. They really do care that their products are what they say they are. They take gluten free seriously.
They sell about 70 gluten free products that are certified and tested gluten free.
And they sell over 400 products under the entire Bob’s Red Mill brand.
The Bob’s Red Mill website has a few video tours of their mill that are fun to watch if you are interested in more about their company and products. And if you live in or ever visit the Portland, OR area I encourage you to visit Bob’s Red Mill.
Now for the giveaway! GIVEAWAY OVER!!!!
Bob’s Red Mill is giving away a gift pack to four of my readers. Each gift pack will include four items of the winners choosing. (The items can range in size from an 8 ounce package to the 32 ounce package size. So, basically any of the small prepackaged sizes that you find on your grocery store shelf.) What I love about this giveaway is that you get to choose. So the winners will have a chance to pick products that they have wanted to try. And if one of my gluten free readers wins they will be able to choose from any of the gluten free products.
This giveaway will end Wednesday July 20, 2011. Four winners will be chosen.
To Enter:
Leave me a comment. That is all you have to do, but I would love to hear what Bob’s Red Mill product you love or what product you have been wanting to try. (One entry per person, please.)
For more questions and details please see my giveaway policy.
Disclaimer: Bob’s Red Mill sent me a sample pack of their gluten free products to try after I toured the mill, however, I have loved and used their products for years. I contacted them about touring the mill, they did not contact me. They did not pay me for my time or thoughts. My thoughts and opinions are my own. I truly think they are a great company that produce great products.
I like the gluten free products that I’ve tried from Bobs’ Red Mill, always looking for more recipes to try!
Thanks for the pictures and great review of their facility. I use their sorghum flour and potato starch the most. I’d like to try some of the other mixes.
I love their flax seed and would like to try other products. Thanks for posting.
We just found out we need to take Gluten and dyes out of my 6 year olds diet. Would really like to try products. We are all new at this and it seems a little overwhelming! anyone with any suggestions on recipes you have tired would be helpful as well!
I love Bob’s products. I use the coconut flour for gluten free muffins for my dad, and the whole wheat pastry flour makes great pie crusts!
I’d love to try the coconut flour!!
I use their flaxseed the most. Whenever I am traveling and need smaller amounts, I buy their products. I do like their steel cut oats a lot too. My neighbor makes a wonderful bread with one of their hot cereal mixed grains… so yummy!
I would love to try some rye flour to make my aunt’s swedish rye bread. OMG is it good. 🙂
I love the Bob Mills products and have also used them for years!!! I always have the steel cut oats, polenta, unbleached flour and the granola on hand.
The whole wheat flour (for pizza dough!)
What a great place! I must check the mill out myself when we plan to visit, hopefully this summer. My favourite product would be the Whole Grain and Beans Soup Mix. It is great for in the winter!
sounds like a great company. I would love to try some of their products
I like the fact that they offer a wide variety of flours. Sometimes I come across a recipe that calls for a flour that is not easily found, but I can count on Bob’s Red Mill to have it.
I love Bob’s Red Mills’s steel cut Oats and the Beans and grains soup mix. I would love to try the coconut flour. I’ve used “Bob’s” products for years and the quality is second to none!
We tried the bean soups and was very pleased by them. My children even enjoyed them. Would love to try other items.
Bob’s mill looks like a fun place to visit. Their are so many products to choose from.
I eat their quinnoa and enjoy it. I also currently have a few of their gluten free flours in my freezer waiting for me to start experimenting with them.
My mom introduced me to the variety of “Bob’s”. She and I both use the flax seed the most.
I haven’t actually tried their products, not sure why. I see them all the time. I would love to try their Gluten free products.
I have always wanted to try the Gluten Free products. I don’t see many Bob’s Red Mill products in the stores in our area.
Your post was very interesting. I love that 90% of their products are turned over in 3 weeks. I also like that way that process the gluten free in a different area. I’m not gluten free, but I know that is very important to many people. I use Bob’s Red Mill products often! Thanks for the great review and giveaway! PS. I didn’t know they were in Portland. I live in WA, maybe I should visit!
Lynne,
The 13 Bean Soup mix sounds like a winner!
I live in Washington so have purchased Bob’s Red Mill products for years. I have flax seed, whole wheat pastry flour, and white whole wheat flour on hand right now. I love the he turned the company over to his employees. They have great products.
I have used Bob’s products for awhile now and find hey are everything they say they are. Have used the flax seed and love the Barley. Did not know it is employee owned but that makes their products even more appealing to me. Thanks for the chance at winning some of their products. I know one I will be looking for is the coconut flour, sounds yummylicious to me!
I’ve enjoyed their 7-grain hot cereal and would be interested to try the coconut and bean flours. Thanks for sharing about your visit – sounds like a really neat place. I’ll enjoy the virtual tours on their website since I’ll probably never get there!
I always have the flax seeds on hand- I would love to try the graham flour and make up some homemade crackers!
That is really cool they are employee owned. The coconut flour would be neat to try.
Their products are really great! I love the range of flours that they sell, though their rye is probably my favorite.
How very lucky you are to have the opportunity to tour the facility! If I weren’t on the East coast, I would do the same! I have a friend who is gluten free and she is the one who introduced me to Bob’s Red Mill products. I have tried many and love, love, love them all!
I would love to try some of their products…
I’d like to try the Cinnamon Raisin Granola.
I would love to try their products. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love trying new grains; it would be fun to win
I have never tried their products but have seen them in my local grocery store here in Lancaster County PA. I would like to try them now.
I’d love to give BOB’s a try!!
We use many of the gluten free products. Just made some tofu choc chunk cookies with the GF all purpose flour last night. I cant seem to get the pizza crust to work right though.
Great post and give away and virtual tour, thanks. I didn’t know all that about the company. I know I would want flour.
I had the best chicken fajita soft tacos yesterday, as a result of your inspiration about the baked homemade tostadas for Mexican Pizzas (I burnt mine up in the toaster oven; thus the soft tacos.)
I started a pantry challenge on SparkPeople and linked to your blog.
I use their ground flax seed. Would love to try their almond meal.
I LOVE all Bob’s Red Mill Products…we mostly use the unbleached white flour and whole wheat flour….BUT I wanted to tell people to try out the Bob’s Red Mill Cookbook, its awesome, and the recipes are delicious!! Thanks!
I have used their almond meal in the past …Make my own now. I use their flax seed and grind it myself in a coffee grinder. Thanx for the chance to try out some of their other products…
Never tried any of the products but would love to.
Ooooh, I would love to win this. I have not had Bob’s Red Mill since we moved here. I used to be able to get it all the time.
We LOVE their Mighty Tasty GF Hot Cereal. It is extremely, mighty tasty! 🙂
I just bought the blue cornmeal to use for a cornbread making contest. The first run of the recipe was a pretty purple. That was not what I expected, but it tasted good. I did realized all the Red Mill products out there. Would love to try more products.
I would love to try the Oat flour and the Spiced Apple Bran Muffin Mix. YUM!
I really like Bob’s Mill also. I am in KY and my Kroger store carries their product. I have several in my house.
How exciting! I would love to try more of his gluten free products.
i also LOVE bob’s mills products. currently, i am using the whole wheat pastry flour. i like to make cookies with it. we have also used the breakfast cereals as well. good products, and consistent quality. great giveaway!
I have a King Soopers store that carries their products, and after seeing your write up and tour, I will try more products. And since they are employee owned, that gives me more incentive to try different products. I would love the soup and muffin or granola mixes. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to try anything produced there!
Would enjoy trying some of their products.
I have always wanted to try these products but always opt for the cheaper brands. I would like to try the wheat germ.
I’ve used the shortened cookie mix as a cheesecake crust and it was delicious! Love Bob Redmill products!
I only use their ground flax seed now, but would love to try other products! Thanks for a chance to win!!
I love there flax meal and would love to try other things from them
I use his TVP to stretch my ground beef.
Since I have just found out I have a mild gluten intolerance, I would love to try their gluten free products!
I love their pancake mix and the scottish oatmeal!
Great pics! Love to see how things are made. These products are great!
We love the flax seed. We use it every day to help with IBS. I’d love to try more products!
I just ran out of flax seeds and would love to restock for free!
I would give the prize to my friend who has several food allergies. I use their ground flax seed.
Awesome giveaway – and awesome company! I just watched a few of their videos…..very nicely done and informative! Thanks for the giveaway chance!
I love all of the Bob’s Red Mill products I have tried.
I just bought Bob’s whole wheat flour a week ago and used it in banana nut muffins – just delicious. I would love to win the giveaway.
I have never tried Bob’s. It would be great to win! Thanks!
We do lots of baking and love the whole wheat flour!
I’ve had the flax in the past and have wanted to try MANY of their other products! This is a great giveaway.
My whole family LOVES Bob’s Red Mill Buckwheat. It’s a great cereal option, especially with a drizzle of our local maple syrup!
I love the ground flax seed. I use it as an egg replacer in baked goods and in muffins, bread and granola!
I’ve seen Bob’s products but have never bought them. But now I am really curious and will be checking out their stock at the Food Pyramid in my town.
I would like to try the bean soup.
I have not tried the Bob’s Red Mill products yet but I have learned that I need to go gluten free. So I would love to try them!
I would love to try Bob’s Red Mill. I’ve never tried them, but will have to look for them.
I have used their flax meal and have purchased their quinoa.
I have gotten breadmaking supplies from Bob’s Red Mill. Yeast, gluten, grain, flax seed, etc. I have ordered from them online, and my grocery store carries some of their products! Love Bob’s Red Mill!
I love their 9 grain cereal mix. It’s yummy!
Love these products!
The tour sounds so interesting, I would love to visit there sometime. I have used the oats and wheat germ and flax seed, and liked them very much. I would like to try some of the cereals and rices. Thanks for your post and the giveaway!
I love Bob’s Red Mill products. I would love to try the Organic Amaranth Flour. I haven’t been able to find it in my area and haven’t taken the time to order it.
I have never heard of Bob’s Red Mill products so I would really like to try anything they make. From all the previous comments, I can see that any products they make are very good. Sure would like to be a winner and get to try their products for the first time.
I would love to won some of Bob’s wonderful products.
Everything always seems first class.
I have always been pleased with Bob’s Red Mill products and would love to try some new products. Thanks!
I love Bob’s Red Mill products. I use their gf oats, gf flour blend and gf pancake mix.
We love the steel cut oats!
I have been wanting to try some of the Bob’s Red Mill products. I have tried only a couple so far and really like the quality.
They used to have an oat bran muffin recipe on the back of their oat bran boxes that I loved. I haven’t bought it in a while – need to see if it’s still there. They were really good.
I have been wanting to try Bob’s Red Mill products just haven’t done so yet, keep looking at the different ones my grocery carries though.
I had never heard of Bob’s Red Mill products before…I must live under a rock 🙂 I would love to try some new products and I’m sure the kids would LOVE to try the Pancake Waffle Mix!!! Thanks for offering up such a great deal.
Thanks for the picture tour and another awesome giveaway. I’m trying to think if I ever used their products and I don’t think I have? I would love this oppurnity to get a sample pack.
Would love some wheat flour. I have relatives in OR, and would love to visit the mill next time I’m there.
I would love to try their potato bread mix!
I use their Flaxseed and I love it. I’ve always wanted to try their other products! Thanks for offering this giveaway.
I like the Bob’s Red Mill Bulgar Wheat… I like their steel cut oats as well!
I always use their Whole Wheat Flour and just started using their organic Whole Wheat Flour. I would love to try something new and different like pancake mix or the Apple Spice Bran Muffin Mix.
we love Bobs Red Mill rolled oats and their bread flour- love the fact that they are a ‘local’ company doing good with great products! 🙂
I love Bob’s Muesli, and have also tried the Steel Cut Oats. I would love to try some of the other cereals, or explore some of the other products.
I love the smaller package size. It fits well in my pantry.
Thanks for the giveaway! I love the ground flax seed but would like to try the quinoa.
I love the whole wheat pastry flour and the flax seed. I use the whole wheat pastry flour in many things, but our favorite is protien waffles.
I’m looking for a good stone ground corn meal. Hope I win to try theirs!
I like their flax seed products, I always pack them and mail to my parents in Japan.