Our kitchen
sponsors.

Good flour gives us room to cook

Making our own dough gives me a say in every ingredient that goes into it. Sunrise's heritage flour is certified organic, unbleached and non-bromated. I want that care in the flour before we ever turn on an oven.^[1]

Why the growing practices matter

USDA organic rules prohibit glyphosate and restrict most synthetic pesticides. Sunrise says its wheat is grown without glyphosate and publishes a summary of independent residue testing. That summary reports trace glyphosate. Growing without it and guaranteeing zero residue are different claims.^[2][3]

A small study of four families found lower glyphosate levels in urine after switching to an organic diet. It measured exposure, not long-term health effects, and did not test Sunrise flour. Reducing avoidable exposure is a sourcing priority for me when I'm feeding kids.^[4]

Their donation lets us put those choices into food the kids recognize and enjoy. A warm flatbread or a pizza crust we make ourselves is a good place to start.

Care before it reaches the kitchen

A good burger starts well before it hits the griddle. Hall of Fame Farms raises cattle on pastures in Wisconsin's Driftless region. The farm describes a diet of grass and forage with supplemental feed, followed by a planned finishing ration. That care with feeding and animal handling matters to me.^[1][2]

The detail Joe pointed out

Joe told me to look at the fat profile. He also discussed Wagyu's oleic acid in a published interview. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat, one of the unsaturated fats also found in olive oil.^[3][7]

Research comparing cattle breeds has found a higher proportion of oleic acid in some Wagyu beef. The result depends on the cattle, their feed and the cut. That research is not a test of Hall of Fame Farms beef, and a different fat profile does not make a richly marbled cut low in saturated fat.^[4]

Beef also provides iron and zinc. Iron helps carry oxygen through the body, and zinc supports growth and the immune system. I want those nutrients in a meal the kids enjoy, with the portion and the rest of the tray considered together.^[5][6]

Chicken worth building a meal around

Chopped chicken, feta and fresh dill come together in one of our favorite lunches. Smart Chicken supplies the chicken. I buy the other ingredients separately. Their donation covers the biggest ingredient cost and lets me start with chicken I enjoy cooking and eating.

What air chilling actually means

Smart Chicken cools each bird with cold, filtered air. USDA verifies its pure air-chilled, no-added-water process. Water-immersion chilling uses a cold water bath and can leave some absorbed water in the meat. That is a separate process from injecting a bird with a seasoned solution.^[1][2]

Smart Chicken says its fresh chicken is not injected with broth or salt solutions. Starting with unseasoned chicken lets me control the salt I add. Air chilling itself is a processing choice, not proof of a healthier meal. For me, the flavor is better, and that matters when I'm trying to get kids excited about lunch.^[3]

The way the birds are treated matters

Smart Chicken describes cage-free housing and controlled-atmosphere stunning, which makes birds unconscious before slaughter. I care about those handling choices as well as what ends up on the tray. That care is part of why I want them in this program.^[4]