Bob’s Red Mill: A Kernel of Inspiration Yields a Remarkable Company
Bob Moore and his wife, Charlee, founded Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods 1978 with the mission of inspiring joy with wholesome foods. The motivation to do so took root in the mid-1960s, when he was inspired by both Charlee, who had set out to establish a healthier lifestyle for their family, and a chance reading of the book John Goffe’s Mill. The book is about restoring an old stone mill, and Bob, a lifelong tinkerer and entrepreneur, was instantly driven to do the same. He searched high and low to find rare usable stone mills, and he and his family opened their first mill in Redding, California.
After going into semi-retirement and moving to Oregon, it was another chance encounter that led to the creation of the Bob’s Red Mill we know today. He and Charlee were out walking one afternoon when they came across an old mill that was for sale. He again tracked down stone mills and began stone grinding flours and cereals for local customers, starting with a handful ingredients like stone ground whole wheat and their signature oats.
In 1988, when Bob was 60 years old and the business had become quite successful, the unthinkable happened: an arsonist burned Bob’s Red Mill to the ground. Most people of Bob’s age wouldn’t have had the heart or the energy to rebuild from scratch, but Bob is not like most people! So, he started over yet again.
The new Bob’s Red Mill quickly grew larger than the original. And today, they produce more than 200 products at their new facility and ship them to 80 countries worldwide. In addition, the Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Store & Visitors Center welcomes visitors from all over the world—all of whom enjoy Bob’s Red Mill’s vast product selection, along with a bakery and restaurant.
In the late 1980s, Bob also recognized the need for safe and delicious gluten free foods, and he led the company to be a pioneering leader in the category. With its dedicated gluten free manufacturing facility, strict safety protocols and state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, the company established itself as a leader in gluten free products. In 2005, the company was invited to testify before an FDA panel about its gluten free manufacturing, testing and product labeling practices. With Bob’s Red Mill helping to set the standards, the FDA in 2013 issued gluten free labeling guidelines.
By 2010, on his 81st birthday, Bob surprised his employees by announcing he was creating an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and making them all employee-owners. The announcement stunned not only those hundreds of employees, but also the dozens of corporations who had made inquiries about buying the company over the years. Bob said at the time he simply had no choice but to give the company to those who had helped build it.
Today, Bob’s Red Mill is 100% employee owned and proud to continue Bob and Charlee’s mission of bringing wholesome, delicious food to the world! At 93 years old, Bob continues as Founder and President, and yes—he still enjoys a delicious bowl of whole grain oatmeal every morning.
Shop for dozens of Bob’s Red Mill grains, mixes and cereals at both Marlene’s locations!
