If you’ve ever had a perfect slice of New York rye, a crusty baguette that crackles just right, or a bialy with that magical chewy center, you might already know Orwashers. They’ve been baking the city’s favorite breads since 1916—before sliced bread was even a thing. And now, they’re baking with flour from yours truly.

We’re excited (like, nerdy-baker excited) to officially announce our partnership with Orwashers Bakery.

Yep. Our farmer-grown, seed-to-bag flour is now in some of New York City’s most beloved loaves. You’ll find it in their heritage sourdough, their focaccia, their baguettes, and yes—even in their legendary bialys. And it’s all thanks to a shared belief in tradition, transparency, and really good bread.

Here’s what makes this partnership special: Orwashers is a true heritage bakery. They’ve been hand-shaping loaves in Manhattan for over 100 years. When Keith Cohen took over the bakery in 2008, he didn’t try to reinvent the wheel—he leaned into its legacy while adding new energy and ideas. Sound familiar?

We’re kind of cut from the same cloth (or maybe the same flour sack?). At Farmer Direct Foods, we’re not trying to be the biggest flour mill in the country. We’re just trying to be the most connected—to our farmers, our food, and our values. Every bag of our flour is traceable back to the exact farm family who grew the wheat. And that wheat? Grown regeneratively. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s how our farmers have done it for generations.

This collaboration wouldn’t have come together without Baldor Specialty Foods, either. As one of the most respected food distributors in the Northeast, Baldor has a long history of connecting thoughtful producers with legendary chefs, bakers, and food lovers. They introduced us to Orwashers, and the rest kind of baked itself.

Now, here we are—Kansas-grown wheat, stone-milled with care, rising in a New York City bakery with more than a century of stories behind it. That’s the kind of connection we live for.

Stay tuned as we roll out behind-the-scenes content, farmer features, and (we hope) a few viral bakery videos along the way. And if you find yourself in NYC, stop by Orwashers. Grab a loaf. Taste the difference. Because when you know where your flour comes from, the bread just hits different.

Want to learn more about our farm-to-flour mission or how to bring our products into your own bakery? Get in touch with us.

(photo credits: www.6sqft.com)