UPDATED: APRIL 4, 2020
The spirit of Amish Friendship Bread is sharing what we have with others. Is it any wonder that the original recipe yields two loaves, one of you and one for a friend?
In San Francisco, locals are giving away bags of starter to help others start their own. This was posted on Twitter by Deanna Ulrich at the end of March:
Is it safe to share food?
But is it safe to share food these days while many of us are sheltering in place or locked down, even if you do a “drop and run?” The experts say … drumroll … it’s safe to share. This is great news, as sharing the starter with friends who don’t have any yeast will enable them to bake Amish Friendship Bread again (or any of the 200+ recipes in the Recipe Box).
If you bake or share food with others, this kind act will remind them that someone is thinking of them and that they’re not alone. And who doesn’t feel better with the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting through the house?
Start sharing Amish Friendship Bread today
- Make and share a starter. This is especially helpful for people who are running out of yeast: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread-starter/
- Make and share a loaf of Amish Friendship Bread: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/recipe-amish-friendship-bread/
- Send the starter or the bread with a lovely note or card. I have tons of free printables you can use: https://www.friendshipbreadkitchen.com/amish-friendship-bread-free-printables/
Sharing food resources and links
Read more here:
- On sharing food safely: https://www.npr.org/local/309/2020/03/24/820518230/how-to-eat-safely-during-the-coronavirus-crisis-tips-resources-f-a-qs
- On food deliveries and groceries: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/health/food-safety-groceries-coronavirus-wellness/index.html
- On washing your produce: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/03/27/coronavirus-can-washing-produce-prevent-covid-19-spread/2901725001/
- On the importance and relevance of cooking (and sharing) food now: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/3/27/21195361/quarantine-recipes-cooking-baking-coronavirus-bread
- On helping others: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/21/how-you-can-help-during-coronavirus/
- On transmission and cooked food: https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/coronavirus-common-questions-about-the-food-you-eat-food-safety/
- The official FDA response: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
- The official WHO response: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200221-sitrep-32-covid-19.pdf
Wherever you are, I’m thinking of you, and wishing you safety, sanity, good health, and an abundance of kindness. ❤️
I’m wondering if it would be possible to mail a starter bag. Broke sure to mail on day 1 knowing that the bag would arrive before it needs feeding. My only worry would be the mashing… Would it movement of the box be enough?
Thanks so much for this site!
This is the question that I was also looking for an answer to!
You’d have to follow the US Postal service guidelines on shipping food and liquids. Just remember that the AFB starter expands on its own as the yeasts release CO2, and the change in elevation could also cause the bag to burst. We know some people have done this without a problem, and others said the recipients had a mess on their hands when they opened it up. We recommend checking with your local post office to be clear on what’s permitted first. Good luck!
QUESTION …. I am not quite sure on “STARTER”. Should. a cup/bag be taken from it like on 4th day before you start adding ingredients on the 5th day, (as you would be preparing to go thru steps to day 10?) It seems logical to me…. years ago , I only used yeast,activitated it, then proceeding on to bake.. white bread or potato bread. But I wanted to do the Amish. as it looks so good, and worth the time. Sincerely.J.M. C.
I’ve been wanting to make the starter for years since I first read the book and this seemed like a great time. The bread I made was delicious and everyone loved it. It was great passing out starter to neighbors and connecting with them, 6 feet apart of course. ☺️
I gave away all my starters so I need to do another batch and remember to save me some.
Thank you!
Hi Jacquie! I love that you shared the starter with others! And yes, always keep one for yourself so you don’t run out of yeast by accident! ❤️