Coldwells have begun work on the Flour Project with the funding from the Edinburgh Bakers Trust.

Interim Report on Grant for Edinburgh Bakers Trust - Coldwells Organic Farm Flour

Introduction

I began my work in May of this year and have now concluded most of the work. It`s been a very busy and productive 5 or 6 months. Basically the project could be divided into two broad themes:

1. Sales and Marketing
2. Community Outreach

I will list these and will provide more detail in my final report

Outcomes/Achievements

Sales
Three new sales outlets:
Farm and Fancy, Alford
Marshalls Farm shop
The Re-store, Lossiemouth
Increased sales at current outlet: Ethical Gift Shop, Huntly

Provided sample packs to
Number 30 in Huntly (Arts centre/cafe)
Bennachie Leisure Centre, Insch
Kitchen Bakery, Yell, Shetland

Market stalls and sales at
Huntly Farmers Market
Tullynessel Spring Producers Market
Glenbuchat Village Hall

Marketing
Increased engagement with Facebook posts
New posters/leaflets produced
Film footage of mill and wheat and farm created and used in talks/marketing

Community Outreach
Engaged a milling/packing and workshop assistant.
Programme set up is below:-

May- Food chain activity/workshop, making soda bread with Coldwells Flour, Square Deal Huntly
Farm walk viewing the wheat and mill demonstration

June - Friday Lunch - illustrated talk on the flour/wheat growing and organic farming, Square Deal, Huntly

August - Attended Huntly Farmers Market - engaged Marie Lousie, Fife Story Teller - songs and stories for the family around flour and bread making.
August - Farm walk and mill demonstration at Coldwells led by Andrew Whitley and myself
August - Introduction to Sourdough course at Square Deal, Huntly. Led by workshop assistant, Nicola Cardinal of Firecrest Community kitchen - Stonehaven. Workshop admin and advertising/facilitating run by me. 11 participants

September - harvesting the wheat - combining/drying/winnowing/initial milling

October 22nd - European Rural Parliament - Study Trip to Huntly. In association with Deveron Projects - Food Chain talk delivered to delegates about my work with the wheat / EBT and flour in conjunction with Sinead Fortune, Scotland Lead for the Seed Sovereignty Programme

November - further Intro to Sourdough course with 9 participants.
8 places booked already for another course planned for Janurary 2026
Funding applied for from Glens of Foudland Community Windfarm Trust

In my main report I will provide detail on conclusions/next steps/ and challenges.

Going forward I will be attempting to make connections with:

1. Opportunity North East and Seedpod, Aberdeen
2. Deveron Projects/Coldwells steering committee to research creating a community bread baking club in Huntly. This is crucial in that this would have not have happened without impetus of this work backed by Edinburgh Bakers Trust
3. Make connections with other organic farmers in Aberdeenshire/Moray who may be interested in growing spring wheat for milling.

About Coldwell Organics