Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has been experiencing a high demand of flour while grappling with a short supply, so in an effort to meet demand, millers Imogen Bittner and Pete Loosmore decided to re-open the 1,000-year-old Sturminster Newton Mill. The mill was updated in 1904 to be powered by water turbine and was still used occasionally to produce small bags of flour for tourists.
"When COVID-19 struck, all of the local shops ran out of flour very quickly," said Loosmore, 79, a retired art teacher who has worked at the mill for 25 years. "We had a stock of good-quality milling wheat and the means and skills to grind it into flour, so we thought we could help." So far, Bittner and Loosmore have ground more than a ton of grain and bagged several hundred sacks of flour to feed their community during these uncertain times.
Pandemic-Prompted Ancient Mill Reopening
1000-Year-Old Mill Reopens to Provide Flour Amid COVID-19
Trend Themes
1. Historic-mill Reopening - Reopening historic mills to produce goods in high demand during a crisis may provide a solution for short-term shortages.
2. Community-sustainable Agriculture - Supporting local agriculture and mills may improve local resiliency and self-sufficiency during times of crisis.
3. Traditional-craft Revival - The revival of traditional crafts may offer both economic opportunities and traditional goods for today's consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Food Manufacturing - Exploring historical food manufacturing processes may offer insights on how to respond quickly to changes in demand and local supply chains.
2. Tourism - Historic mills and other cultural institutions can explore opportunities to expand their reach and provide value to their communities during uncertain times.
3. Agriculture - Reopening historic mills can bring attention to the importance of investing in local agriculture and supporting local food systems.