When it comes to real food, quality matters — not just the ingredients, but the story behind them.
That’s why I’m so passionate about where I get my raw almonds (use the code STEWARDSHIP for 10% off at that site!). Almonds might seem like a pantry staple, but not all almonds are created equal.
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Use code KATIE20 at Briden Wilson Farm’s website to get 20% off your first order!
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If you’ve been buying almonds at the grocery store, chances are they’ve been pasteurized — even if labeled “raw.” What most people don’t realize is that in the U.S., even “raw” almonds are legally required to be pasteurized, usually with steam or even chemicals. That process can strip away nutrients and the vibrant, living quality of truly raw food.
Years ago I even called Costco to see how they pasteurize their almonds, since steam is at least non-toxic. They use chemicals. I was off to find a new source for nuts!
I discovered Briden Wilson Farm, where they do things differently. I’ve ordered fresh, raw US-grown almonds for well over a decade from them, which is legal because you CAN buy truly raw almonds direct from the grower. Here is a note from Rebecca, the owner:
A Personal Journey from Grief to Growing Something Good
In May of 2022, I lost my husband, Tom — a devoted father, farmer, pilot, and man of deep faith. He loved the land and believed in the goodness of hard work and honest food. Tom grew up farming sugar beets in North Dakota, but it was his dream to raise our five children on our own land in California. That dream came true when we moved to Arbuckle and started growing almonds together.
After losing him, I faced the heart-wrenching question: Do I try to keep the farm going, or let it go?
It wasn’t an easy decision. But I knew in my heart that this land, this life, was part of the legacy Tom built, and I wasn’t ready to walk away from that. So I chose to continue. I chose to dig in, learn, grow, and carry on what we started and figure out how to grow and expand this farm to support my family!
That’s why every order we ship from Briden Wilson Farm carries more than just nutrition; it carries a story of love, resilience, and faith.
Why Unpasteurized Almonds Matter
At Briden Wilson Farm, we sell truly raw, unpasteurized almonds in bulk, straight from our orchard to your home.
Why does that matter?
- More Nutrition, Naturally: Our almonds retain all the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and healthy fats that nature intended.
- Soak & Sprout with Confidence: Traditional methods like soaking and sprouting work best with unpasteurized almonds, and ours are alive and vibrant, just as they should be.
- Fresh Flavor: Our customers often tell us our almonds have a cleaner, sweeter, more satisfying flavor than any they’ve tasted before.
RECIPE: Crispy roasted nuts. (Perfect to make with these raw almonds!)
Why Buying from a Small Farm Means So Much
When you support Briden Wilson Farm, you’re not just getting better almonds — you’re supporting a real family. You’re helping continue a dream, keeping a legacy alive for the Dafoe family.
Transparency: You know exactly where your food comes from — and who’s behind it.
Sustainability & Care: We steward the land with hands-on love, not industrial shortcuts.
Organically grown: The almonds we grow on our property are grown without the use of chemicals, we wanted a pure and clean product that we could be proud of.
Real Impact: Your purchase supports a family farm, not a corporate food system.
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Need More Baby Steps?
Here at Kitchen Stewardship, we’ve always been all about the baby steps. But if you’re just starting your real food and natural living journey, sifting through all that we’ve shared here over the years can be totally overwhelming.
That’s why we took the best 10 rookie “Monday Missions” that used to post once a week and got them all spruced up to send to your inbox – once a week on Mondays, so you can learn to be a kitchen steward one baby step at a time, in a doable sequence.
Sign up to get weekly challenges and teaching on key topics like meal planning, homemade foods that save the budget (and don’t take too much time), what to cut out of your pantry, and more.
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Buying in Bulk = Smart, Sustainable, and Budget-Friendly
Our 10 and 25 lb. boxes are ideal for families who cook from scratch, meal prep, or follow real food principles. Buying in bulk means fewer trips to the store, less packaging waste, and better value.
I store mine in the freezer to keep them fresh all year long — and they taste just as amazing in month 10 as they did in week 1.
RECIPE: Almond apple pancakes!
Special Offer Just for Kitchen Stewardship® Readers
As a thank-you for supporting real food and real families, we’d love to offer you 20% off your first order.
Use code KATIE20 at checkout at BridenWilsonFarm.com to save. (Should apply automatically, but check and make sure!)
This farm has helped me heal in ways I never expected. And every time someone new chooses our almonds, it feels like hope is growing again.
Thank you for being part of this story.
From our family to yours,
Rebecca Dafoe of Briden Wilson Farm
Katie’s Review of Briden Wilson Farm Natural Raw Almonds
I hope I don’t make Rebecca cry with this, but I’m able to find my order receipts in email all the way back to 2013, when they came right from her husband’s email address.
I was deep in the real foodie world at that point, and I’m still wondering if I heard about Briden Wilson Farm from a local friend in my raw milk co-op, an online member of the KS community, or some other way. I knew that it was difficult verging-on-impossible to find unpasteurized almonds at the grocery story, and I had confirmed that Costco definitely used chemicals to pasteurize theirs, yuck and double yuck.
The only legal way to buy truly raw, unpasteurized almonds, in fact, is to buy direct from the farmer or imported from other countries. I’ve always loved buying from Briden Wilson Farm—not only are they US grown, but I feel connected to another real family out there trying to nourish the world. It’s also what Kendra “The Lazy Genius” would call my “Decide Once.”
In other words, when we get low on almonds, I don’t have to think about where to buy them, I just make another order.
The only decision is between the two varieties (or types) of almond: carmel vs nonpareil.
I always thought carmel sounded lovely, like they’d be sweeter. Once I ordered both and we did an intentional family taste test. It turned out that all of us enjoyed both varieties, but more voted for nonpareil in a blind test than carmel! Surprise! Now I know what to order every time.
You can also choose organic or not, your call.
We’ve always loved our almonds, and I take the few minutes it takes to make them “crispy nuts” for better digestion. Honestly, crispy nuts are one of the traditional foods techniques I would do JUST for the flavor even if it wasn’t healthier. The pop of crispy nuts vs eating regular raw (or pasteurized + roasted) nuts has no comparison.
Crispy nuts are easier to chew, have a much more pleasant texture, and even taste more buttery and fresh.
New Choices from Briden Wilson Farm
After selling almonds and just almonds for years, it’s been fun to watch Briden Wilson Farm increase the variety. Our family got to try all the flavors of seasoned almonds over Christmas and let me tell you– if you do charcuterie boards, these are a must add!
Honey roasted mandarin? Unique! Chili lemon? Gives you something to talk about with guests!
And the smoked almonds might not be for everyone, but a little dish with a glass of wine is a next-level experience. 😁 Highly recommend trying a few in your next order!
I was thrilled to see that Briden Wilson also has walnuts, because previously my best source was just Costco, nothing special there. Fresh, gorgeous walnuts (use the code STEWARDSHIP for 10% off at that site!), so delicious (once you make them “crispy”)!
The almond butter is also absolutely delicious, and there’s just a sense of satisfaction knowing that it’s made in small batches right at the farm.
If you want to add something fun just for yourself or as a gift, Rebecca sent me their special “hive to home” 100% pure beeswax candle, and I’m enamored. I lit it when I had some ladies over to plan an event, and we all marveled at how the wooden wick quietly crackled as if we were around the tiniest of campfires. Super cool!
I know it’s easy to find “influencer reviews” on thousands of products out there on Instagram and blogs and YouTube, but how many have ordered and reordered the product for 12+ years? Plus you get to hear from the grower, so even though you might not be able to walk a mile down the road for “local” raw almonds, you can feel connected to your farmer and “buy local” as much as is possible with nuts that probably aren’t grown in your state.
As the teens today say: 10 out of 10, highly recommend!
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Don’t forget to use code KATIE20 at Briden Wilson Farm’s website to get 20% off your first order!
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