About Us/FAQs
Our story
In 2004, Charles, affectionately known as Zeke, and his wife Linda embarked on a journey fueled by their shared passion for baking and a yearning for community. It began in a small town square in Covington, a town they had just moved to from rural Arkansas, where Zeke, despite having no prior baking experience, poured his heart into learning the art of breadmaking. His dedication paid off as his bakery became a cherished fixture in the town.
Their love for serving the community blossomed, and the couple transformed their bakery into a cozy cafe nestled in a nearby neighborhood. Its success was a testament to its warmth and the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods.
But the story didn't end there. In 2016, a new dream took root – a dream of sunshine-kissed blueberries and the simple joy of baking. With nothing but a patch of land and a house needing tender care, they put their hearts and hands to work. With unwavering determination, they built their blueberry farm and bakery from the ground up, transforming it into the thriving haven it is today.
Our ingredients
Blueberries: Our blueberries are our blueberries, period. We do not import or buy the 6 cultivars of blueberries we carry from other sources. Our blueberries are sourced completely naturally, without the use of ANY PESTICIDES. We go to great lengths to ensure this. In fact, we use a special kind of light-reflecting ribbon to scare off birds! Our soil is fertilized with nitrogen biosolids (not natural gas) and quality tested alongside our leaves in conjunction with the Newton County Extension Service of UGA. Our berries are harvested in the spring and immediately refrigerated only a few days prior to being sold. All products in our store that use blueberries, such as blueberry scones, use our blueberries and not other peoples’. And yes, you can see the berries being grown from the road! Our bushes are visible. Stop by and say hi to see our owners pruning and harvesting them in the summertime!
Breads: Our breads are sourced from high-quality flour and yeast and made in small batches in our special freestanding Georgia Department of Agriculture-approved (licensed and inspected) bread-making facility that is 100% sanitized and inside a separate structure (not in our house or in our blueberry-storing room). They are individually packaged and labeled with ingredient listings!
FAQs
Do you make gluten-free products?
As a community-oriented business, all we want is to serve you the best way we can. Unfortunately, however, our small size prevents us from being able to accommodate certain needs in their entirety. As of right now, we currently do not offer gluten-free products in our bakery. To ensure the safety and quality of our baked goods for those with gluten sensitivities, we would need a dedicated gluten-free production space to avoid cross-contamination. We understand the importance of dietary restrictions and appreciate your understanding.
Do you use any pesticides?
Absolutely not! We use a variety of means to completely subvert the need to use pesticides on our berries, such as reflective tape that scares off birds and squirrels.
Do you offer a pick-your-own service?
At this point in time, we have too few bushes to allow for a pick-your-own or U-pick service. To be able to purchase our blueberries and breads that we pick ourselves, we encourage you to proceed to the “Reserve” and “Blog” sections of this website to see information about upcoming farmers markets and ordering ahead! :)
When is blueberry season?
Our “Blueberries” section covers this question and more in-depth, however the short answer is that you can expect to find blueberries starting early June and ending around the middle of July. Bread season theoretically lasts all year, but in practice it will likely be specific weeks throughout the month.
Are blueberries really a “super food”?
The definition of a “super food” is neither rigid nor exact, but blueberries do have rich amounts of vitamins and antioxidants that are comparable to other established “super foods” such as kale! To be more specific, blueberries contain compounds such as anthocyanins that fight chemically dangerous free radicals that can damage your cells. They also contain high amounts of fiber and minerals. Blueberries are good components of a healthy diet and there is no shame in eating the whole pack! For a source on this, see 10 Proven Health Benefits of Blueberries (healthline.com)
What’s the deal with sourdough bread?
Sourdough bread is on the rise recently and is a new focal point for the health-conscious; and for good reason, too. Sourdough breads offer a wider variety of health benefits than traditional supermarket breads, which are usually loaded with sugars. Sourdough breads are considered easier to digest, less irritating to blood sugar levels, more bioavailable for certain nutrients such as zinc and iron, and more gut healthy due to the fermentation! For a source on this, see Sourdough Bread: Is It Good for You? Pros and Cons, Nutrition Information, and More (webmd.com)