EAST TROY, WIS. — Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe will expand into the organic bread market and open a baking and retail facility in East Troy, according to The Bay View Compass.

The facility will operate in the former Nokomis Bakery on the property of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (M.F.A.I.). Established in 1984, the M.F.A.I. is a farm and research center dedicated to developing agriculture that sustains the land and its resources.

As part of the effort Wild Flour will reintroduce 14 varieties of Nokomis organic and wheat alternative bread. The new line of bread will be branded with the Wild Flour Bakery name, but plans call for the bread to include a reference to Nokomis.

“Wild Flour is very excited about expanding our wholesale offering in Southeastern Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota,” said Josh Mertens, company vice-president. “Not only are we bringing back the famous Nokomis bread lines, but this is also an opportunity for us to bring our existing Wild Flour products to the East Troy area. We are looking forward to being a part of the community.”

Josh Mertens is the son of Dolly and Greg Mertens, who own and operate four Wild Flour bakeries in Milwaukee and South Milwaukee. They opened their first bakery in 1996.