Yeast is in short supply and while sourdough may be one solution, a supply from Brixton Brewery is another.
The brewery is making some of its brewing yeast available to the public and sales will raise money for the Brixton and Norwood Food Bank.
And you can make your Brixton loaf with flour from the Windmill, who are also donating it to the food bank. A £20 donation will see 40 bags of Brixton-milled wholemeal flour go to local food banks.
Yeast from the brewery is available in 30-gram sachets – which is enough for six to eight loaves – for £5 (including postage) from the brewery webshop.
Everyone who orders will also get an easy-to-follow recipe for home-made bread, and tips and tricks directly from the Brixton Brewery’s two expert bakers – delivery driver Roberto (the acknowledged master) and brewer Francesco.
Although not identical to dried yeast sold in supermarkets, brewing yeast works well in most bread recipes, the brewery says.
All profits will go to Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, which is already receiving of a donation of £5 from all T-shirt sales from the Brixton Brewery website.
Xochitl Benjamin, a co-founder of Brixton Brewery, said: “When I heard about the yeast shortage in the news I knew we had to do something to help! I got caught out myself, trying to buy some from the shops in late March and there already wasn’t any.
“Then I realised that I have access to a brewery full of yeast and I probably didn’t need to worry!
“We hope that by making our yeast available to buy, we can help more people indulge in the joys of home breadmaking and raise funds for our local foodbank while we’re at it.”
Elizabeth Maytom, project lead for Norwood and Brixton Foodbank said, “In this challenging time Norwood and Brixton Foodbank continues to support those in crisis many of whom have never previously been in this situation.
“We operate a full delivery service with other food banks in Lambeth, delivering 70 parcels a day.
“The money raised by the fantastic team at Brixton Brewery will enable us to buy much needed stock to refill our shelves.
“Things we desperately need include longlifemilk, tinned meat, custard, washing up liquid and much more.”
Brixton Brewery’s brewer’s yeast as well as their full range of beers and merchandise can be purchased from its website. Nationwide delivery is available.
