FAQ's
General Questions
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What is stone milling?
Stone milling is the traditional method of grinding grains into flour between heavy, slow turning millstones. Â Stone milling preserves the integrity of the grain by milling the whole kernel (bran, germ and endosperm) into a flavorful and nutritious whole-grain flour.
How is stone-milled flour different from white flour?
Stone-milled flour is ground using traditional stone mills, which preserve more of the grain’s nutrients, fiber, and natural oils, resulting in rich flavor. The process to make white flour, on-the-other-hand, consists of removing the bran and germ on roller mills, leaving the starchy endosperm. The flour is generally fine and white, lacking in flavor and nutrients. Therefore, stone-milled flour is considered more wholesome and flavorful than white flour.
What is the shelf life and storage recommendation?
With the exception of oats and corn, all of our freshly-milled flour, whole grains and beans have a 12 month shelf life. Oats and corn carry a 6 month shelf life, due to the greater presence of natural oils. To extend the life of our products, we recommend storing them in the fridge or freezer to preserve their freshness.
Where are your grains grown?
We source our grains from over 40 farmer partners in the Northeast. We prioritize purchasing from our Maine farmers first, then supplement with grains from upstate New York, Vermont, or just over the border in Canada.
Do you have anything gluten-free?
While oats, corn and buckwheat are naturally non-glutinous grains, they are processed on shared equipment in a facility that also processes wheat.
Do you sell bread flour?
The term ‘bread flour’ refers to wheat with a high protein content, typically 12-14%, which is ideal for recipes that require strong, elastic dough, such as bread. We recommend our Organic Sifted All-Purpose Flour for all of your bread baking needs.
How many people work at Maine Grains?
We are a small, but mighty team of around 20 full-time employees!
Where can I buy Maine Grains?
Check out our store locator here! Â Or stop by and and visit the Dry Goods Shop at Maine Grains, 42 Court St, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
How much flour do you mill every year?
With three Austrian built stone mills, we are producing over 2.5 million pounds of grain a year.
When are phones and emails answered?
Maine Grains offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am - 4pm, except on major holidays. Â Our customer service team looks forward to helping you with all your flour and baking needs!
Are there any byproducts produced with stone milling? What do you do with them?
Three byproducts are produced by our cleaning and milling process: whole feed, wheat middlings, and oat hulls. All grain coming into our facility gets a thorough cleaning and the grain kernels removed during the cleaning process are sold as feed for animals. Â In order to produce sifted all-purpose flour, we remove a small amount of bran after milling. These wheat middlings are high in fiber and great for making crackers, baked goods, and even dog biscuits. Finally, the husky outer covering of an oat groat is removed during the dehulling process. Those hulls are collected and sold for animal bedding, mulch, or compost.
Are your grains grown with the use of glyphosates?
No. Our organic certifier, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) has strict standards regarding the use of chemical pesticides on the farm.
Do you test for PFAS?
We are in direct contact with Dr. Ellen Mallory at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension who is a grains specialist and following the implication for grains very closely. Early indications show that the grain head itself does not sequester PFAS at concentrated levels. Therefore, MOFGA has not yet required PFAS testing.
We are following the new and emerging research closely. Â As part of our annual supplier approval program, we are asking suppliers to let us know if a soil test for PFAS is available.
For more information regarding PFAS in Maine, please contact:
PFAS Response Program
PFAS.DACF@maine.gov
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources
28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 287-4514
Online Orders
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What shipper do you use?
We utilize UPS Flat Rate Shipping for our online order fulfillment. Â Shipments including bulk bags do tend to incur greater shipping costs due to their size and weight.
How much does shipping cost?
UPS Flat Rate Shipping is calculated based on the total volume of your order. Estimated shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.
Local to Skowhegan? Pick-up is also an option! Be sure to choose the ‘Local Pick-Up’ Option at checkout.
Do you offer free shipping?
We do offer free shipping promotions on occasion. Â Be sure to subscribe to our [newsletter] to be among the first to know about our special offers.
Do you ship to Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes!
Do you ship to Canada?
Not at this time.
How do I check the balance of my gift card?
details coming soon
Can I place an order over the phone?
Of course! Â Just give us a call at (207) 474-8001 ext. #104 and our customer service team would be happy to place an order for you over the phone.
