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In 1999 a farmer in the Tulbagh area had a dream to erect a small stone mill for milling flour in an old-fashioned way. By grinding the wheat between two enormous stone wheels, he managed to build up a small market milling two tons of stoneground flour a day. With the help of 10 employees, Oude Tol Meulens was born. This little mill managed to survive until the volatility of the wheat prices forced him to look around for someone to help sustain it, as he had to buy the wheat from the co-operatives at exorbitant prices.

What happens when you combine dedication and ambition

In 2003, a number of farmers in the Swartland were looking for a better and more profitable way to dispose of the wheat which they harvested. These farmers bought into the Oude Tol Mill and for a year the little stone mill managed to do it’s best while a much larger roller mill was being erected in Riebeek West. Finally, in the first quarter of 2005, a larger mill was starting to roll out the flour. We shortly had an excess of flour which was still being hand packed by the original 10 employees of the business. Our market had grown rapidly and we had to bring in contract workers from Riebeek West to help with the packing. The 10 original employees grew to 70 employees who are now employed on a permanent basis.

In 2010 the Oude Tol Milling was changed to Group 35 Foods (Pty) Ltd with a slogan that reads: Small Bigger Best Foods. The reason for doing this was to expand our existing food basket and to ensure our customers that we listen to their needs and provide them with the best service and quality products at all times.

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