Healthy Baking Seminar East, presented by Baking Management and Modern Baking, was held in Boston on Sept. 23, in conjunction with Natural Products Expo East. Presentation topics included trends in healthful baking; sweeteners, exploring alternatives for health; food safety in your bakery; and healthful baking for colleges and schools.

Trends in healthful baking include an emphasis on clean and simplified ingredient statements. Bakers are using more whole grains, fiber, enrichment and fortification to promote health and wellness. Gluten-free products also are on the rise.

A round robin breakout session provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of experts on various topics, including fiber, organic/natural, sweeteners, gluten-free, reducing fat content and developing clean labels with emulsifiers, whole grains and removal of trans fats.

During the lunch session, John Foss, founder and managing director, The Chia Co., Western Australia, provided attendees with innovative nutritive solutions for baking with chia. Ancient grains, such as chia, are a strong value driver for bread, as more consumers look to increase their intake of whole grain foods, Foss noted. Chia has the highest known plant-based source of omega-3s; delivers both dietary fiber and protein; and is a complete source of protein in all eight essential amino acids.

Simon Stevenson, pastry chef/bake shop manager, University of Massachusetts, presented a demonstration on healthful baking for colleges and schools. Attendees sampled Stevenson's fresh berry biscuit, whole grain cookie, apricot bar and whole grain crispy treat.

Baking Management and Modern Baking would like to thank the sponsors of Healthy Baking Seminar East: ConAgra Mills, Bay State Milling, TINE Co., National Honey Board, The Chia Co., King Arthur Flour and Natural Products Inc.

CHIA — NATURE'S COMPLETE SUPERFOOD

Chia is a completely natural super seed that is grown in Australia by The Chia Co. Expert farmers grow the seed in harmony with nature using sustainable farming methods, and chia is grown exactly 15 degrees from the equator to provide the best quality and nutrition. Chia is the highest known plant-based source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It is high in dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. It also is gluten- and allergen-free. Ten grams of chia meets the Heart Foundation's daily recommendation for plant-based omega-3. Baking with chia does not alter its nutrition levels. Chia seed, nature's complete superfood, is a natural source of nutrition that is often lacking in the modern diet.
The Chia Co.
www.thechiaco.com/au

LINE OF HEALTHFUL FLOURS

ConAgra Mills offers whole grain flours including Ultragrain ^®Hard, which delivers 100 percent whole grain nutrition with the flavor, texture and appearance of refined white flour; Ultragrain^® Soft, which provides a unique option for cakes, cookies and pastries; and Healthy Choice^® All Purpose Flour Blends with Ultragrain, which makes the transition to whole grain nutrition easy. Sustagrain ^®is a proprietary, identity-preserved barley that contains more than 30 percent total dietary fiber and only 30 percent starch, and it is available in flour and flakes for bread production. ConAgra also offers a line of ancient single-grain flours and multigrain blends, which include amaranth, millet, quinoa, sorghum and teff.
ConAgra Mills
800 851 9618
www.conagramills.com

CONSISTENT QUALITY FLOUR

King Arthur works to deliver bakers consistent, high quality flour backed by unmatched technical support. What matters most to professionals bakers is the consistency of their ingredients, and King Arthur ensures its flours adhere to the tightest tolerances in the milling industry. Protein and ash content never varies more than 0.2 percent. The company's line of organic flour includes Organic Select Artisan Flour, milled from 100 percent organic hard red wheat. It is modeled after the lower protein, higher ash flours, common in Europe and is ideal for artisan-style breads, such as baguettes, and naturally leavened hearth breads. The line also includes Organic Baker's Classic Flour, Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Organic High Gluten Flour.
King Arthur
800 827 6836
ww.kingarthurflour.com