Grand Rapids has always been one of my favorite cities. Not only is the city beautiful and intriguing, but there are so many gluten-free options. Two of the restaurants on my
Top 10 gluten-free restaurant list are there. The
Gluten-Free Kids Camp is in Middleville, near Grand Rapids. My favorite gluten-free sauce company,
Full Flavor Foods, is near Grand Rapids.
Now I have a new reason to fall in love with Grand Rapids all over again. Kind Crumbs bakery makes gluten-free donuts. Lots of donuts...and bread and bagels and cupcakes and more! The Greater Grand Rapids Celiac Support Group supports this business faithfully, and its owner Rebecca Duiven. Read more about Kind Crumbs in Duiven's own words.
1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?
I started baking gluten-free when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009. At the time of my diagnosis, I felt all the commercial options I tried were pretty bad. I've loved baking all my life, and was up for the challenge of creating gluten-free products that actually tasted good.. I started out baking from home under the Michigan Cottage Law, and selling from farmer's markets. Seven years later, Kind Crumbs now has a staff of four and a busy wholesale operation. I've proved that gluten-free baked goods could be as good as the traditional versions or even be better!
2. Are there other highlights of your products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?
Kind Crumbs products are free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts, and we have plenty of vegan options. (We are not certified nut-free at this point, but eventually we plan to be.) Most of our products are also free of corn. We use no artificial preservatives*, and all of our decorations, sprinkles, etc, are made without artificial colors. We are shifting towards using mostly non-gmo ingredients as well. *We do use xanthan gum as a binder.
3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?
We are not yet certified GF (we eventually will be), but we use all dedicated gluten-free equipment, from our mixers to our smallest kitchen utensils. We rent a catering kitchen, full-time, in a local Polish hall. On the rare occasion the facility is rented for an event, all catered food is prepared off-site and heated and served at the hall for weddings or parties. Every single piece of our equipment gets locked up in storage and is inaccessible to other parties when those occasions arise. For example, Kind Crumbs literally moves out and closes down production every year for the week of Pulaski Days! We hope to eventually move into our own facility at which time we will get gluten-free and peanut-free certifications.
4. Can you share a story of a customer who's been greatly impacted by your business?
We get feedback from customers on an almost daily basis. The most appreciative customers are those with multiple food allergies, as we can now allow them to eat things they thought the could never eat again.
5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?
Overall, we are committed to creating great tasting products. We want those with Celiac Disease and other food allergies/ sensitivities to enjoy "safe' food again, but also want those without food restrictions to love them as well. We try to keep costs down as much as we can, and when possible, we donate to the local food pantry. The North Kent Community Agency stores our baked goods in their freezer for when they have clients with special dietary needs.
Kind Crumbs
506 Eastern Aven NE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
Hours Vary, Please Call
(616) 430 - 0923
Kind Crumbs is a wholesale gluten-free bakery, and does not currently don't have a storefront. They deliver in the Grand Rapids area to Anna's House restaurants, Forest Hills Foods, Harvest Health (Cascade and Hudsonville) Kingma's Market, and Rowster Coffee. They also deliver to Red Barn Market in Lowell, and Sawall's in Kalamazoo. Any of these grocery stores will take special orders for Kind Crumbs. Customers can also special order cakes, lemon bars, pies and other items directly through their website or Facebook page, An appointment to pick up your specialty from their production kitchen can be made as well.
Kind Crumbs is one of many great, dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the state of Michigan. Make sure to follow along with my #MichigansBestGF Bakery Search and learn about over 20 gluten-free bakers in Michigan. Click this link for a comprehensive, statewide list of all the bakers as well as an interactive map! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Periscope for pictures and live videos too! Labels: Michigan Gluten Free Bakers
