RAISIN TWP. — Roadside Bakery and Farmstand, located at 2977 Gady Road, is open for online orders for baked goods, loofah sponges and tallow-based soaps. Owners Amber Patterson and Tyler Sterling started the business this past spring at local farmers markets, and moved to the roadside stand in June.
Patterson said she started baking at home as a business when she wanted to work from home.
“I’ve been baking for a while and I love baking for people,” she said. “I became a stay-at-home mom and it gave me something to do.”
Roadside Bakery and Farmstand features mostly sourdough items, such as breads and pretzels, and other baked goods like cookies, brownies and specialty seasonal breads like pumpkin bread and zucchini bread. Also featured are fresh eggs from chickens the couple raises themselves.
All the seasonal products are made with ingredients, such as strawberries and pumpkins, that Patterson and Sterling grow themselves. The baked goods are created from local fresh eggs, organic flour, homegrown and locally grown fruit.
The baked goods do not feature frozen, store-bought ingredients, and are made in a kitchen that uses non-toxic cleaner. Patterson has completed the Michigan Cottage Food Law course through Michigan State University.
New to their inventory are loofah sponges, made from loofah that Patterson and Sterling grow themselves. Also new is tallow soap, which they make themselves as well. They started selling the soap in November.
“It’s a tallow base that’s made out of beef fat,” Sterling said. “It’s rendered down into tallow, and I mix it with lye and make the soap product.”
Patterson said the soap helps with skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
Right now, Patterson and Sterling are working on growing their business by trying to get their name out there, Sterling said.
Patterson said promoting their unique line of products is another priority.
“We just try to get healthier options out in the community right now,” she said.
As well as creating their line of products, Patterson and Sterling are also consumers of what they create and sell.
“We use all of our own products as well,” Patterson said.
Roadside Bakery and Farmstand is located just west of the corner of Occidental Highway and Gady Road in Raisin Township.
Orders for baked goods and other products can be made through their Facebook page or by email at [email protected]. Roadside Bakery and Farmstand does not take orders over the phone.
