Founded by Koenraad van der Meer, a master bread baker with over 40 years of experience, Lightforce Bakery specializes in creating unique, nutrient-rich breads that embody tradition, innovation, and sustainability. Koen has dedicated his life to perfecting a craft that prioritizes health, flavor, and the integrity of natural ingredients. 

At Lightforce Bakery, our breads are malt-leavened—a distinctive process that sets us apart from those relying on commercial yeast or sourdough starters. This unique method, combined with heirloom grains, results in bread that is easier to digest, highly nutritious, and deeply flavorful. The malted barley leaven we use naturally contains silica, a compound some believe may help counteract the effects of electromagnetic radiation. Our philosophy is guided by the spiritual science of Rudolf Steiner, emphasizing a harmonious connection between the grain, the leaven, and the earth. This philosophy is reflected in every loaf we bake. 

We source only the finest organic whole grains, including spelt from the Finger Lakes region and rye from Columbia County, ensuring the highest quality and sustainability. Each grain is stone-ground at the Philmont Cooperative Kitchen using a large natural granite stone mill from the New American Mills Company in Wolcott, Vermont. This method is central to preserving the delicate enzymes, vitamins, and nutrients of the grains, creating flour that is as fresh and vital as nature intended. 

Why stone-ground flour? Unlike industrial milling, our process gently rubs and opens the grain without crushing it, allowing for a clean separation of the bran and endosperm. This careful approach not only preserves the grain's natural vitality—important because oxidation starts to degrade flour within 48 hours of milling—but also ensures the flavor and nutritional profile remain intact. 

At Lightforce Bakery, every step of our process—from sourcing heirloom grains to stone-grinding and baking—is a testament to our commitment to quality, tradition, and the health of our customers and our planet.