Would it be easier?

As I’m writing this, my mixer is going full speed with a batch of Ginger & Parsley flavor dog biscuits getting ready to be worked. We have been in the midst of a rather large order for PPI, Pet Products Inc, who is a distributor of natural and health minded pet products in New England. It’s the biggest order we’ve ever received, and we’re ecstatic about the opportunity! So, with all of this time spent down in the bakery, alone, I get to “think” a lot. My dad, who also spends his days in a kitchen, often wonders if it’s good thing or a bad thing to be left alone in thought for the number of hours he and spend on a concrete floor.

What I have been thinking lately is… would it be easier to run my business differently? Would it be easier to call up a distributor, tell them I need 2k pounds of flour, 40 pounds of parsley, 80 pounds of ginger, etc? Would it be easier to not care? To not concern myself with the people who grow the ingredients I want to use? To be able to have unlimited supplies of the ingredients I need? The answer is quite simple. Yes, it would be easier. Is it right, though?

Barkwheats is built on the premise that dogs deserve a really tasty, healthful treat that is safe for all dogs with grain allergies. We craft dog biscuits to put it simply. Among the many other makers of tasty treats out there, we just happen to have a strong value center in the business, where we know deep in our hearts that to make a truly amazing product, you need truly amazing ingredients. And to get those ingredients, there is no where else to go but the source. We’re building a nice network of some great farmers, great people, and their great families. I know that with every granule of ginger, I’m helping a Belizean family to continue to farm, continue to eat, and continue to put their children through school. That with every waft of sea vegetable (mmmm, low tide) I know that the harvesters are cutting their crops with one thing in mind, the health of the beautiful ocean along our coast, and that with every egg I crack I know a new member of a family (Enna, in particular, of Mandala Farm) is living a wonderful life on their farm.

So, yes, it’s hard. It’s not easy at all to buy small quantities from many people, engage with them directly and make sure they’re being paid a price that works for them. But, it’s so much fun. It’s so gratifying to walk up and see the people who’s hands are in the dirt delivering the freshest ingredients I can possibly use to give you and your dogs the peace of mind that you’re eating the most healthful, natural, and delicious treat that’s around.

Imagine, 12 hours a day in light blue room… lots of time to just think.