MINNEAPOLIS— It’s National Bakery Day, a Retail Bakers of America (RBA) holiday that celebrates independent bakery operators and encourages customers to shop locally.
General Mills Foodservice is joining the festivities as a sponsor of National Bakery Day to recognize the bakery customers who turn ingredients into products that become part of consumers’ everyday lives and to highlight the ways General Mills Foodservice works alongside bakery operators.
Through relationships with bakery operators, industry organizations and partners such as RBA, General Mills Foodservice helps bakery professionals find new ideas, build their businesses and navigate challenges.
“Independent bakeries are so much more than places to buy a great piece of pie or a fresh pastry; they are the heart of our communities,” said Nancy Muller, account executive, Bakery Ingredients Group, General Mills Foodservice, and RBA board member. “We’re proud to support the RBA and its efforts to celebrate these businesses, and we’re equally proud to work alongside bakery operators every day as they build their businesses, try new things and make the baked goods their customers love.”
One example of General Mills Foodservice’s impact is Valley View Orchard Pies, a family-owned bakery in Oxford, ME, that has grown into a thriving multi-generational business. Valley View uses Pillsbury Creme Cake Mix in several cake applications, including its popular whoopie pies, and Gold Medal Flour across its pie production and other baked goods.
“I think Valley View Orchard Pies’ whoopie pies are truly something special,” said Tim Cipriano, account executive, General Mills Foodservice. “They are unique, incredibly delicious, and made with the kind of care and tradition you only get from a multigenerational bakery. You can taste the quality and heritage in every bite.”
That support for independent bakeries was furthered through the RBA Roadshow, presented by General Mills Foodservice on Sept. 21-22. The two-day event brought bakery professionals together for education, networking and hands-on learning focused on the realities of growing a retail bakery.
Participating RBA members receive a National Bakery Day marketing kit with promotional materials and a how-to guide to help bring the celebration to life in their bakeries. To learn more about National Bakery Day, visit the RBA website.
