Creating a Wholesome Diet with Whole-meal Products

Grain is an important source of energy from which we also obtain essential nutrients. According to the Canadian Food Guide (2007), adults (>19+ years) should consume 6-8 servings of grains a day depending on your sex and physical activity. Yet it is important to distinguish whole grains from the processed grains that appear to proliferate in the aisles of the supermarkets.

Whole Grains vs. Refined Grains
Whole grain foods include all three edible layers (i.e. bran, endosperm and germ) of the grain seeds or crenels, each of which provides a combination of nutrients and vitamins. Unlike whole grain flours, refined flours are steel ground which removes both the bran and germ layers from the grain seeds therefore reducing the flours nutrient content. In Canada these refined flours are often enriched with minerals and vitamins to replace the ones that have been lost during the refining process. These nutrient levels are only approximate and do not restore the flours original nutrient content.  

One of the major reasons that Adrienne and I chose not to follow a 100-mile diet was due to the limited supply and access to whole grains in Sackville. Although it does not fall within the 100 mile radius, the Speerville Flour Mill, located in the Saint John River Valley near Woodstock, NB, does supply the Atlantic provinces with an array of tasty, and nutritious whole grain products.

Operating since 1982, the Speerville Flour Mill founding mandate is to provide a market for local farmers who produce grains. In this sense the mill not only supports the local economy but it also promotes a regional food system. Speerville products can only be found in the Atlantic Provinces and will only sell to retailers who allow them to personally deliver their products to the site. This not ensures that products are fresh upon arrival at market locations, but it also reduces the amount of fossil fuels used during production and distribution. According to the Speerville website, less the 1% of the cereal and grain products sold in the Atlantic region are actually grown and processed here. With upwards to 30 to 40 local farms supplying the mill with grains, their efforts may be seen as an important stepping stone that increases food security within Canada at both the local and national level.

Speerville offers a variety of organic and in-organic whole grain food products in varying quantities. You can purchase Speerville products at the Cackling Goose Market (located on 38 York St., Sackville) or if you have a car and do your grocery shopping outside of Sackville, you can purchase their items at Sobeys supermarket. Aliper’s Hearth (located within the Cackling Goose) is an organic bakery that specializes in freshly baked goods that uses Speerville flour. Their bread cost $5 but if you are a student they will give you $0.50 off your purchase.  You can also purchase Speerville products directly from the mill or in various health food markets around the Maritimes. Check out their website for more details. 

 http://www.speervilleflourmill.ca/index.htm

The Canadian Food Guide (2007)