Since 1854, Benedictines from Saint Vincent Archabbey have operated a Gristmill, grinding grains for the sustenance of the monks at the Archabbey, for students at Saint Vincent College and Seminary, and even for local farmers. They have always sold flour there, and at one time Saint Vincent Bread was famous throughout the region. The monks expanded their efforts and their product lines with the establishment of the Gristmill General Store in April of 2001.  Now, the Benedictines have taken their store online, with a limited number of products—including flour milled by monks.

The online store features some of the more popular Gristmill products such Saint Vincent Bread Mix, coffees, scented soaps, honey and syrup products, and more. Many of the products are created by Saint Vincent monks; however, items produced by monks and nuns from other monasteries are also available.

A 100-page history book on the Gristmill and Brewery by Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., is available. The book includes a 16-page color section inside with photos of the historic milling equipment, and a fold-out color schematic illustration showing how the mill works.

While the General store is open Mondays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the online store, says director Brother André Melli, O.S.B., will make its products available to a much wider audience, each and every day. Shop now!