Love can make us do amazing things. Compassion can cause us to go to the extra mile. When it comes to food, it can motivate a baker to play with recipes and experiment with crazy ingredients. It might even push them to burn out a few food processors in the pursuit of excellence. It encourages them to persevere even after many failed attempts.
That's why Heather Burson of Third Coast Bakery started a gluten-free baking business. She saw the needs of her family. She saw the needs of her friends. She saw the needs of her community. And her labor of love has paid off tremendously. Her customers are happy. The local hospital is eager to carry her baked goods. People are ordering her products from out of state. Because love never fails. Read more about Burson's baking jounrey in her own words.
Throughout my life, I and my family have been surrounded by health issues and food battles.At the center of it all seemed to be common denominators - white flour, white sugar, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, artificial sweeteners and more. Watching so many loved ones struggle, I launched a personal mission to create healthy, delicious options that went against the typical American diet. Those with Celiac Disease and those with wheat/gluten-sensitivities are an important part of the population that have been terribly overlooked and under-served by the commercial food industry. I saw a gaping need and decided to step up and fill it, not because it's a fad, but because it's a real health need. Now, it's my daily goal to keep raising the bar for allergen-safe baking. At Third Coast Bakery, we create so that others who are usually left out can FINALLY celebrate.
2. Are there other highlights of your products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?
Through listening to my customers, I learned that many people who cannot tolerate gluten also struggle with co-occurring food allergies, especially dairy, eggs and soy. So, I upgraded my bakery to be 100% dairy-free as well; most items are also soy-free and egg-free. I also use as many organic ingredients as possible, and feature fresh local fruits as they come into season. Customers seeking refined sugar free, low-glycemic, or no sugar added are also encouraged to shop with us, as we keep many sugar alternatives on-hand, and create custom orders based on their individual needs.
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These Little Miss Ginger Snappy Pants cookies can now be found in Moomer's Ice Cream
Photo Credit: Heather Burson |
3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?
Third Coast Bakery is a dedicated, allergen-safe bakery creating 100% gluten-free and dairy-free products, as well as soy-free and vegan specialties. We adhere to the strictest safety standards, using ONLY certified gluten-free ingredients, including the often over-looked baking powders, sugars, and extracts. I interview ingredient manufacturers prior to purchasing. If the manufacturer can't guarantee the ingredient is gluten-free, then it doesn't go in our bakery. Even our gluten-tolerant staff members refrain from bringing potential contaminants into the facility via lunch bags and snacks. No sandwiches, no cereals, no pretzels allowed! :) We are housed in our own commercial kitchen, where no other businesses or cooking activities are present. We keep careful logs of what we produce, how much we produce, and when we produce it, so we can follow recall safety standards if needed. We have complete control over who/what goes in and out of our doors.
4. Can you share a story of a customer who's been greatly impacted by your business?
I think the most satisfying part of the job comes when each mother trusts us with her child's sensitive body. It takes great faith and courage to hand that trust over to someone else. From the 4-year old child whose weekly highlight is our cookies, to the long distance cake order for a 3-year old, to a family's favorite vacation memory, I'm reminded why I started Third Coast Bakery. One family in particular has made us a part of several family celebrations, from their daughter's surprise engagement cake, to her wedding cake, to her baby shower! The
reviews on our Facebook page are also a great place to discover individual testimonies
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| Photo Credit: Heather Burson |
5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?
Our customers are the reason we exist. Instead of operating a storefront, we choose to support our community farm markets.This is because we love getting to know our customers in a fresh market setting. We welcome customers for pre-arranged for tours of our bakery, as well as scheduled special pick-up times that fit their unique needs and schedules. We bake with intentionality, mindfulness, and respect. And with a dollop of frosting on top, of course. Third Coast Bakery is in this for the long haul.
You can find most of Third Coast Baked Goods products at the
Acoustic Tap Room,
Blue Lotus Cafe & Deli,
Cuppa Joe Cafe,
ELF Cafe,
Edson Farms,
Leland Mercantile,
MOOmer's Ice Cream, Munson Hospital Cafeterias,
Potter's Bakery,
Red Door Coffee House,
Sutton's Bay Farmer's Market, Traverse City Indoor Farmer's Market, and
Yen Yoga and Fitness. With the success of her business, I'm sure there will be more locations to come!
Third Coast Bakery
4030 N Setterboro Rd
Suttons Bay MI 49682
(269) 420-4490
(Commercial bakery only - times available by appointment)
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Third Coast Bakery 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 list of all the gluten-free bakers in Michigan as well as an interactive map so you can visit them yourself! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Periscope for pictures and live videos too!
