[kokopuffs]

I pay approx $6 for a pound of SAF Red Instant Yeast. Two years later and approx 100 loaves of bread weighing 1-2.6 lbs each, 1/4 pound of yeast still remains and seems to have retained its original strength and it's kept in the freezer between uses.

[JustPJ]

Speak with your local store owner. Most would welcome the input of what they should carry on their shelves. After all it sure cant hurt to ask him to carry what you use all the time.

[Meffy]

[edit: This is addressed primarily to KYHeirloomer and boar_d_laze, who asked.]

I'm in Richmond, Virginia. Considering the amount of yeast I use, $1.20 for a few months' worth versus 80 cents isn't too bad a deal. Especially compared to supermarket prices, which are many many times as high.

If I could get it cheaper I would but this is convenient; nearby, saves gasoline. Plus they have bulk spices and unusual grain goods I can't get elsewhere, again far cheaper than grocery store prices for the stuff I use. Some items, such as honey, cost about as much there as anywhere, but theirs tastes better so it gets the edge. Super-fancy things like spirulina flour or jasmine rice cost a lot, as do the bulk prepared foods. So I just get the ingredient-type items there and make my own. [Not my own spirulina or jasmine rice. My own other stuff. Those two items don't particularly interest me.]

As for the prepared, packaged "healthy" foods... well, I'll let someone buy those who can afford them. =^_^=

[jerkseasoning]

yes in a breadmaker you can use either, we only have to ask at the fresh bakery department in our large food stores and they are happy to oblige, there is no difference in finished loaf between dried and fresh, a rounded teaspoon with same of sugar disolved in a little warm water but you probably already know that, by the way. I have lost the paddle for my breadmaker

[LuvPie]

I tivo JC's baking with Julia show.
last week, I viewed a couple of them
one was on baking sourdough bread from a pro.
funny how he said to mix a bit of flour water and cumin
and milk for a starter. I saved it and better watch it again to
remember why the cumin.