Our Daily Bread

Jul 20, 2021

Grains & Goods Farmstead produces organic Red Fife wheat and rye, fresh stoneground flours, and artisanal bread and baked goods using old-school methods and the most local ingredients. The Farmstead is evolving from a small family farm near Sydenham. Owner Roland Jensch purchased the hobby farm from his wife’s parents in 2019 and has begun cultivating heritage Red Fife wheat and other crops on a small scale, such as a field of asparagus he put in this year. With an artisanal stone mill imported from Austria, he’ll be freshly milling wheat and locally grown organic rye for sale in cooperation with Fat Chance Farmstead.

Roland believes in the principles of agroecology and uses organic, regenerative farming practices to promote the health of the land and our local communities. As the pandemic has made obvious, our global food system is so fragile. Food insecurity and lack of sustainable choices is also clearly interwoven with the social justice and climate change challenges that we are grappling with today. Grains & Goods seeks to be a part of the vibrant local food network that is thriving in Kingston and Frontenac and to share in the building of a food community that supports our local ecosystems, creates cooperative opportunities for farmers and eaters, and offers good job opportunities.

Roland learned to bake bread in Germany, where he grew up. Inspired by one of the world’s best bread cultures and his grandfather, who was a master baker, Roland’s artisan breads are carefully crafted in small batches from the best ingredients. His naturally fermented sourdough boule (round loaf) uses only three ingredients: fresh stoneground organic flours; water and salt. The slow fermentation process and addition of rye flour gives the breads exceptionally deep and delicious flavour. Other favourites are hearty rye and seed loaves. His pretzels are also quickly becoming famous!

Most store-bought breads are made with highly processed white flour and many additional artificial ingredients, leading to the relatively recent perception that bread is unhealthy. Due to the grain varieties, stone milling process, fresh ingredients and long fermentation used at Grains & Goods, these products are more nutrient dense, digestible, healthier, (and tastier!) than conventional flours and baked goods.

Grains & Goods breads are currently available through Fat Chance Farmstead’s CSA food box. A bread subscription program is in the works; and flour, bread and baked goods will soon be available at local retailers.

When not in the kitchen or the field, you’ll find Roland getting muddy in the sandbox with his two young boys, tending to a small crew of chickens and goats, and putting down deep roots in his newfound home.