Cairnspring Mills, Boon to Booming Bakers Everywhere

“What is even more rewarding is the gratitude that our customers are sharing as they drive through, as well as the hundreds of Instagram shares showing off the bread they baked and their appreciation for the quality and flavor of the flour.”

Ever since COVID-19 sent people home for an indefinite quarantine, baking has skyrocketed, causing — yup, you guessed it — shortages of essential staples like yeast and flour. Professional and home bakers soon found their cupboards and store shelves bare. Cairnspring Mills in Burlington stepped up to offer direct-to-consumer sales of its “fresh flours from local grains” in 50-lb. bags.

The cost of these 50-lb. bags of bread and all-purpose flours, when available, is very reasonable in comparison to the crap shoot going on at your neighborhood supermarket. So’s the wait. Place your order online by Thurs. 5 p.m., for pickup 1 p.m.-3 p.m. the next day at the mill, in your car. You never have to get out. Just pop open the trunk, and the staff will load the flour for you. They’ve got such an efficient, safe system going, you’re not waiting long. Plus, the scenic drive up North’s nice and relaxing.

Meeting such demand has pleased Cairnspring Mills CEO/Co-Founder Kevin Morse to no end. It delights him to see people posting pictures of their breads, pastries, cakes, bagels, and pizza (who’s hungry?) made with Cairnspring flours. He often reposts them, a new normal he’s grown to appreciate.

How has the staff been managing Cairnspring Mills during COVID-19? Our first focus is on the safety and health of our team. We have locked down the mill and no longer do tours or allow anyone in the building who is not an essential employee. We have also implemented all the CDC guidelines for essential workers.

What’s the response been from customers? Customer response to our direct-to-consumer sales have been beyond our expectations. Over the past two Fridays, we have averaged 14,000 lbs. of flour sold each day.

What is even more rewarding is the gratitude that our customers are sharing as they drive through, as well as the hundreds of Instagram shares showing off the bread they baked and their appreciation for the quality and flavor of the flour.

How can people support you? People can support us by purchasing direct from the mill, sharing the opportunity to purchase direct with their friends and social networks. They can preorder at www.cairnspringstore.com.

Other ways to support include care packages for the milling team and connections with PPE suppliers, so we can keep everyone healthy.