Valley Bakers Cooperative is based in Greenville, Wisconsin. They are a business built on supplying bakeries and many agritourism destinations with the ingredients that go into your favorite fall treats. Kate Farrell shares how shortages from their suppliers have their customers trying new options to make up for missing favorites this fall.
Many orchards and pumpkin farms serve up more than just produce, in fact having baked goods available for customers can triple an orchard’s business. Oftentimes customers come back year after year just to get their special treat. Kate shares that with shortages of many ingredients, including a nationwide shortage in starches, Valley Bakers Cooperative had to think ahead to meet fall demand.
Ukraine export troubles and lower acres planted here in the U.S. into wheat is only part of the shortage issue. Labor issues and increasing costs for ingredients like butter and flour have also played into a difficult landscape. Fortunately, by buying ingredients early and expanding their suppliers, Valley Bakers has been able to fill orders. Sometimes that’s meant customers have needed to try out new products to fill their bakery cases.
Kate says that while this has been difficult on their customers, many are taking on new options from artisan breads to different sizes of pies to fit their customer’s needs and wallet. Apple cider donuts remain a favorite for many, and Kate says she sees many agritourism destinations also selling Wisconsin made products. While unfortunately all of these may come with a higher price tag this year, your dollar goes back to local businesses and families, and that helps take the sting out of the extra dollars.
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