Welcome to the Edible Valley Podcast. This is Episode 178, and today we are with Sharon Janzen from Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery. Sharon grew up in Vancouver and always had an entrepreneurial flair, spending a lot of her time making and selling things—starting with sling-style baby carriers, which she made and then sold across Canada.
Then she moved to Thetis Island, as her husband got a new job at a children’s camp. Sharon decided to start experimenting with baking and selling cinnamon buns, thus laying the groundwork for the future Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery.
In 2000 she moved to Vancouver Island. After gaining more baking experience, she saw an opportunity to sell goods from a wicker basket in the schools and businesses throughout the valley. She started by placing a basket in the staff room at Miracle Beach Elementary and Black Creek Elementary, where teachers and staff paid for goods using the honour system. She then quickly moved on to selling at offices, car dealerships, and dentists, operating the entire business just out of the back of her Volkswagen Jetta.
Word of her delicious baking spread throughout the valley, and people started asking Sharon if she was at any farmers’ markets. In response, she scaled up her business and started selling at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Her husband, who is a crucial support, retrofitted her equipment with wheels so she could operate efficiently and continue to grow her business.
We have a lot to share with you about this incredible story of Canadian entrepreneurialism. Edible Valley is very proud to introduce Sharon Janzen.
Episode 233 "Exploring the Flavours of Spring"
Episode 232: ”Savouring Sustainability: Zero-Waste Cooking Reducing Food Was
Episode 231 “Knives in the Kitchen”
Episode 230"Tailgating Traditions"
"Episode 229, Exploring the Essence of Oysters"
"Episode 228, 2024 Culinary Insights: A Feast for the Future"
Episode 227”Unwrapping Christmas Cooking”
Episode 226 ”First Taste, Two Dad and baby food.”
Episode 225 ”How much to tip?”
Episode 224” What is on the Menu?
Episode 223 ”Celebrating 60 years of the Canadian Culinary Association”
Episode 222 ”The easy way to get fresh food CSA”
Episode 221” Cooking tips with Jonathan and William”
Episode 220 ”Talking about a Culinary Club”
Episode 219”Good Earth Farm, learning about seeds”
Episode 218 “North Vancouver Island Culinary Association”
Episode 217 ” Niji”
Episode 216 ”Taking the right path, Where to cook?”
Episode 215 ”The Next Chapter”
Episode 214 ” History of Restaurants”
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