I could not let another day go by without mentioning that Bob Moore, creator of Bob’s Red Mill has passed. In doing some research, I find myself watching Sunday Morning, to get his history and I dabble into their company website to get more info about his life.
From my point of view, they always had a big booth at the Fancy Food Show. Later I would do shows of my own where I would give away some of the scrapers, to scrape up food that they would give me at these events. Always giving away something. Always very generous.
It is no surprise that their website has this to say: “Moore will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, his leadership and passion for whole grains, his strong work ethic (he remained a Board Member of his beloved Bob’s Red Mill until his death) and his generosity in establishing the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) on his 81st birthday”.
Can you imagine making no money, reading a book and having that motivate you to start a company that some now estimate at 100 million dollars in value? I think it’s a great example of the American dream coming true. And later? He makes workers that lasted a long time with him, part owners? It tells us that we can all dream and make things happen!
More from the website for accurate detail: “A perennial entrepreneur, Moore’s passion for healthy foods and milling whole grains coincided with parenthood, and later led to the formation of Bob’s Red Mill in 1978. The company initially served only Portland, Ore.-area locals, but quickly grew to be a natural foods powerhouse. It is now a leading global food brand offering 200+ products in more than 70 countries. Thanks to the ESOP that Moore established in 2010, the company’s legacy was secured by transferring ownership to the people who helped Bob and Charlee build and grow it. More than 700 employee owners now own the company”.
He started it all in his 50’s in Southern California and if there was any one regret, (he says in
that interview), he would have started it earlier in life. He was motivated by a book called John Goff’s Mill and said he read it over and over again for continued inspiration. BON APPÉTIT celebrates his life by sharing their famous Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies, using his product. I thank them for the picture and I must say, that even though I don’t bake often, this looks like something worth baking!
I find it funny and fun, that on on Sunday Morning (tv), he makes oatmeal for the
interviewer, adding milk, honey, bananas and flax seed. That sounds like a wonderful breakfast to me! He ate that every day of his life and lived to 94. Pretty good. A lesson well learned (although I prefer oat milk)!
I thank him for giving us healthy choices in our marketplace. And now I continue to thank his staff. May he Rest In Peace.