The first Azure Standard sales flyer was an unassuming bundle of letter-size paper with a list of grains and flours available to order. Yet it was also the first time the name “Azure Standard” appeared in print, and became part of a tradition we at Azure have kept up to the present day. Humble beginnings, if accomplished through hard work and faith, can yield beginnings beyond what we could ever imagine. Who knew that Azure would go from an organic family farm to becoming the largest family-owned distribution center for organic food in America? As the new year is upon us and we celebrate nearly forty years of Azure Standard, let’s look back at our past with an eye to the bright future ahead.
The farm that would become Azure Standard was originally called Stelzer & Sons Grains and Flours, and was founded by David Stelzer’s father. David and his brothers would drive the family truck (a blue Ford Escort) to deliver said grains and flours to family, friends, and neighbors. Their products were so good that the farm gained local popularity, and people began asking if they would deliver products to neighboring cities, and if they delivered any other products.
Recognizing the need for organic products people could trust to hold to a high standard of excellence, in the winter of 1986 David sat down with his wife and drafted what would become the first sales flyer. Reflecting on this decision and the early days of the farm, David says: “I really felt like I was commissioned to set a standard in the marketing of organic food, and I felt like there was such a huge need. I also was dedicated to maintaining a high standard of integrity with what I sold. I wasn't going to lie about what people were buying. In fact, I can't and won't do that to this day.”
A huge need indeed! In fact, Azure bans even more foods than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Why? David believed that GMO foods sprayed with glyphosate and other herbicides and insecticides became sickly, and were negatively affecting the health of the nation that consumed them. Over the years, like-minded families and communities caught on to this vision, and when the vision and the superior product were combined, Azure grew and grew.
In just ten years, Azure went from serving just Dufur and the surrounding cities, to serving the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana. With the advent of the 2000s, Azure expanded into California, and in the 2010s, reached the Midwest and South. In the 2020s, Azure began upgrading the existing routes, finding new ways to cover more miles and have less impact on the environment.
That brings us to the present day, and how blessed we are! In the past five years, the army of Azure customers has grown exponentially, necessitating the addition of new routes and even an upcoming warehouse on the East Coast. We’re able to reach even more people thanks to the new Drop-to-Home program, which connects those who cannot make it to the drops with drivers who will deliver their orders directly to their homes. David Stelzer has visited hundreds of conventions, spread the word to people searching for healthy food from a trusted company, and partnered with the likes of Joel Salatin, Rory Feek, and GEORGE Magazine to make sure as many people as possible know about our healthy food “revolution.”
Speaking of revolution, why is Azure calling itself the leader in the healthy food revolution? Simply put, we were among the first farms in America to promote organic eating and have the highest standard of excellence for our products. We call our mission a revolution, because it is so against everything modern culture’s narrative about food states. Food is not just fuel, it directly translates into our quality of life and can even affect our bodies sometimes better than conventional medicine. If the American people realize this, we can eat healthy and have the tools to nourish our bodies and minds to change the world for the better and impact the future for good.
The future looks very bright. As we move forward, we reflect on the past and how we can improve upon our existing practices, while keeping our purpose out in front of us. While we want to keep some plans a surprise for the upcoming year, we can tease a few projects we’re excited to release:
DROP TO HOME DELIVERY (To select areas.)
NEW OHIO DISTRIBUTION CENTER (late 2026)
VARIOUS WEBSITE EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS
We’re on your side, and glad you’re joining us in the healthy food revolution. Let’s make this new year one to remember!
SOURCES
/azure-life/blog/honoring-history-to-move-forward/QM5lUmZcMnIBrZS4
/azure-life/blog/david-s-corner-june-2023/MHOkYaC7lwUHJX4O
/azure-life/blog/azure-haul-then-now/YsZTMOdzPJD1wPis
/azure-life/blog/davids-corner-november-2025/wvTopaRNreobGJO5
