While touring the expo yesterday, Glenn and I (the two bookends in the picture) ran into lots of people we hadn't seen in years (particularly me, since these people don't go to prison). In yesterday's post, I ran down my family's history with The Moores from Bob's Red Mill. Today, Ill introduce you to Paul Wenner, the founder of Gardenburger.
A couple of years before I got out of the joint, I had got into the habit of reading the Oregonian daily pretty religiously (although it was always a day late at Snake River in those days). And I almost fell off the punk bunk when I read "Gardenburger acquired for half a billion" or something of that nature. It was hard to fathom. Back in the 70's, NatureBake supplied his restaurant, where it all started, with hamburger buns. I was totally not even paying attention. All I wanted to do was find a drug that would save me.
Now Paul lives in Maui, of course. And he even visits P-town now and then, where he still has a house from those days. He didn't get to where he is the easy way. He worked 70-80 hours a week back in the day.
I know all about that, although I've slowed down and started balancing a little. I have a feeling it's the "calm before the storm". There's no shortage of people all over the country who've tried DKB and want it in their local stores. The best we can currently do is UPS. This week, we sent our first order to Rainbow Grocery in San Fran. QFC and Metropolitan Market in Seattle have both expressed their desire to get the bread.
It's only the beginning for us. Remember: baby steps!
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