The Inspiring Story Behind Bob’s Red Mill: A Legacy of Whole Grains, Quality, and Employee Ownership

This post is in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill.

For as long as I can remember, my fascination with food has extended far beyond mere taste or culinary technique. It’s about the intricate narratives woven into every ingredient. Understanding the true story behind our food — the dedicated individuals who cultivate and process it, the meticulous methods employed to create it, and the underlying mission that drives its production — holds an incredible, transformative power. This deep dive into food’s origins is more than just curiosity; it’s a fundamental belief that empowers us to make profoundly better choices for our diets and lifestyles.

I am convinced that when we truly grasp the complete journey of the food we consume and prepare, we unlock the potential to make superior decisions for our own well-being, for the health of our families, and for the broader sustainability of our planet. This profound knowledge isn’t fleeting; it leaves a lasting imprint on our consciousness. It transforms not only the way we approach cooking but fundamentally shifts our entire perspective on food itself, encouraging mindful consumption, fostering a deeper appreciation for every bite, and connecting us more deeply to the source of our sustenance.

My personal journey into this understanding has been multifaceted and deeply formative. It began with simple yet profound experiences, like picking fresh runner beans from my grandmother’s vibrant garden, a childhood ritual that instilled an early, tangible connection to nature’s bounty. It continued with accompanying my mother to bustling farmer’s markets as a little girl, where the vibrant colors, fresh scents, and direct interaction with producers ignited a lifelong passion. Later, during my time in culinary school, my experiences expanded to include visiting an organic farm, witnessing firsthand the dedication required for sustainable agriculture, and working in a restaurant where the ethos revolved around sourcing almost all ingredients locally. Beyond practical experience, my curiosity was endlessly fueled by countless hours spent watching insightful food documentaries and devouring culinary books. These diverse exposures have collectively cultivated an unrelenting quest for knowledge about food and the complex, often hidden, industry surrounding it.

This insatiable spark for understanding food eventually led me down an unexpected and deeply rewarding path. I ultimately diverged from my carefully laid plans for graduate school, choosing instead to enroll in a professional cooking school. This pivotal decision, born from a desire to connect more deeply with the craft and origins of food, ultimately paved the way for the creation and full-time pursuit of this very blog. Looking back, it’s clear that all these seemingly disparate pieces of my life were converging, guiding me towards my current passion. The universe, in its own wonderfully complex, zig-zag, one-step-forward, one-step-back manner, was subtly steering me in this direction all along, even when I wasn’t fully aware of its intricate design or ultimate destination.

Today, I feel a profound sense of pride and gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to collaborate with truly exceptional brands. These are brands that I wholeheartedly believe in and support, whose missions and values resonate deeply with my own. They are makers who take immense pride in producing not just ingredients, but truly fabulous ingredients crafted with unwavering integrity and a commitment to quality that shines through in every product. As I shared in my recent post, my vision for this space extends beyond being merely a recipe resource. I aim for it to be a vibrant community hub where we can delve deeper into important topics, spark meaningful conversations about food origins and ethics, and learn from one another. And that, precisely, is the intention behind today’s feature: to share the inspiring, often untold, story behind a brand that embodies everything I champion – a true leader in the realm of wholesome, healthy food.

Rather than presenting a new recipe today, I want to dedicate this space to exploring the remarkable story behind one of my absolute favorite food brands: Bob’s Red Mill. My intention is to share with you why I am so incredibly passionate about working with them, and why their mission and values resonate so deeply with my personal philosophy of wholesome, transparent eating. After all, sharing the stories and fundamental principles that truly matter is what trusted friends and genuine advocates do, fostering a deeper connection to the brands we choose to support.

“It’s so obvious, that it’s not. That thing you make – that thing you love – it should be a good thing. After all, isn’t that the point? Isn’t that why we’re here? To help one another. To add something. To make folks a little happier, a little healthier for doing what you do?” – Bob’s Red Mill 

The compelling narrative of Bob’s Red Mill is inextricably linked to the life and extraordinary vision of its founder, Bob Moore – that warm, friendly face instantly recognizable on every package bearing the Bob’s Red Mill name. It’s a quintessential American success story, not just of astute business acumen, but more importantly, of unwavering passion, deep personal conviction, and steadfast principles. This is an account that chronicles the arduous journey of a young man who embarked on a significant leap of faith, confronted and heroically overcame myriad challenges and setbacks, and steadfastly pursued his profound passion for healthy, nutritious food above all other considerations. It is the inspiring saga of an entrepreneur who placed paramount value on uncompromising quality and ethical integrity, consistently prioritizing these timeless virtues over the fleeting allure of mere profit margins.

Perhaps the most extraordinary and heartwarming chapter in Bob Moore’s remarkable story unfolded on his 81st birthday. In an unparalleled act of generosity and profound respect for his dedicated team, and notably, during the midst of an economic recession, Bob made the astounding decision to hand over complete ownership of his multi-million dollar company to his employees. He simply couldn’t conceive of a more fitting or impactful way to honor their indispensable role, their relentless hard work, and their unwavering dedication in helping him build Bob’s Red Mill into the beloved, nationally recognized brand it had become. This truly unique act of shared prosperity and deep gratitude exemplifies a rare and inspiring form of corporate leadership, one that genuinely prioritizes human connection and collective success, setting Bob and his company apart as a beacon of ethical business practice in the corporate world.

Bob Moore’s unwavering commitment to health and wholesome nutrition wasn’t a fleeting interest or a mere business strategy; it was forged in the crucible of profound personal tragedy during his teenage years, when he tragically lost both of his parents to the devastating effects of smoking. This deep personal loss instilled in him a lifelong, unshakeable dedication to promoting healthy living through the power of nutritious food. His entrepreneurial journey truly began after being deeply inspired by a book about a man who inherited an old flour mill, combined with his wife Charlee’s burgeoning passion for the traditional, hands-on art of grinding her own fresh flour from scratch. Together, this visionary couple launched their very first humble flour mill in the early 1970s, a modest beginning that would eventually evolve, through dedication and perseverance, into the iconic Bob’s Red Mill we know and trust today, proudly situated in Milwaukie, Oregon.

This foundational commitment to superior nutrition, traditional methods, and unwavering quality led them to make a crucial, counter-intuitive decision that flew in the face of industrial trends: they emphatically rejected the prevalent, high-speed steel rolling mills that dominated the industry. Instead, they championed and heavily invested in old-fashioned, slow-moving quartz stone mills. This wasn’t merely a nostalgic choice; it was a deliberate, principled stand for preserving the inherent goodness and nutritional integrity of the grain. Despite enduring immense setbacks, including the devastating loss of their very first mill to an arsonist’s fire, Bob and Charlee steadfastly upheld their unwavering commitment to quality above all else, never compromising for the sake of the bottom line. Their philosophy was beautifully simple, yet profoundly rare in our modern, fast-paced age: “Make great food, charge a fair price, and help make the world a better place.” This core belief continues to meticulously guide every aspect of Bob’s Red Mill operations, from grain sourcing to customer service.

To this very day, Bob’s Red Mill remains deeply dedicated to its founding principles and traditional craftsmanship. They continue to grind all of their diverse range of high-quality flours (you can discover more about their various different types of flour and their unique properties, perfect for every baking need) and wholesome grains in-house, meticulously utilizing those cherished old-fashioned, slow stone mills. This traditional milling process is not just about heritage; it’s a carefully chosen method that ensures the grains retain all of their vital natural nutrients, essential vitamins, and beneficial minerals, which are often stripped away by modern, high-speed processing. The result is consistently exceptional food that you can genuinely feel good about consuming and supporting – products that contribute meaningfully to a healthier lifestyle, from a company whose ethical practices and unwavering commitment to quality I am absolutely thrilled to champion and share in this space.

Indeed, there are no true shortcuts to consistently producing truly great food, especially when it comes to whole grains and wholesome ingredients. The dedication, time-honored traditional methods, and unwavering commitment to quality that define Bob’s Red Mill are precisely what set them apart as a leader in healthy food. P.S. If you’re looking for a delightful and nutritious way to experience the goodness of their products, I highly recommend starting your day with this utterly delicious whole grain (and gluten-free) Dutch baby with blueberry maple syrup or a comforting, hearty bowl of slow cooker steel-cut oatmeal. Either would make a truly fabulous, nourishing breakfast tomorrow morning. Just saying, your taste buds and your body will both thank you!

Thank you, Bob’s Red Mill, for partnering with me on this enlightening post and for your steadfast commitment to quality, health, and ethical business practices. I wholeheartedly encourage all my readers to explore their extensive line of exceptional whole grain products, take advantage of valuable coupons, and easily locate their wholesome ingredients in stores near you by visiting BobsRedMill.com! Investing in these high-quality, nutritious options means investing in your health and supporting a truly remarkable brand. Your pantry and your well-being will undoubtedly thank you.