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 154 "What to drink? Heavenly Libations"
Episode 153" What's happening on Clever Crow Farm?"
Episode 152 "Why as you like it?"
Episode 151" What's so great about Mushrooms"
Episode 150" What's on a food label?"
Episode 149 "What's to eat? Getting back into food.
Episode 148 "What are restaurant overheads"
Recipe Time: Spelt Pancakes
Recipe: Roasted Curry Butternut Squash Soup
Episode 147 " New Season New Year Lets start cooking again"
Episode 146" What is Labour Cost?"
Episode 145 "How do you get kids to eat their vegetables?"
Episode 144" How do you set food cost"
Episode 143 "What is Hydropoic farming"
Episode 142 "What to pack in my kids lunch?"
Episode 141 "What is an agricultural Co-op?"
Episode 140 " Where have all the cooks gone?"
Episode 139 "Where do I get a good apple?"
Episode 138" Is there a dinner happening in Downtown Courtenay?'
Episode 137 " What is going on with The Edible Valley Podcast?"
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Art of War
Walk-In Talk Podcast
Longer Tables with José Andrés