A few months back we received news that our current baker Jen was planning to move back to Oregon in October. Luckily, with Caitlin already on staff at the co-op, the transition was smooth. Caitlin and Jen worked side-by-side over the last few months to guarantee that the baked goods you’ve come to love would remain the same. Below is a short introduction from Caitlin.

I’ve been interested in baking since I was a child, the making as well as the eating. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that often got together for big cooking events, be it canning corn or making cookies for Christmas plates. It instilled an understanding of cooking as a way to bring people together and spread love through the food we created. I still feel that way and make everything with the intention that it will brighten someone’s day just a bit.

I grew up in Polk City, a small town between Ames and Des Moines. After high school I went to DMACC, then Iowa State University, and graduated in December 2009 with a Liberal Arts degree. While in Ames I worked at the university bakery. After years of baking at home, this was my first taste of the commercial side of things. I can’t begin to tell you how many Cyclone sugar cookies or mini cherry pies I made! I moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa for a short period of time and worked in a smaller, more traditional bakery there, learning how to bake and decorate cakes. Eventually I felt the pull to move back to central Iowa and finish school at ISU. I now live in Ames with my boyfriend. Feel free to wave if you see me riding my bike around town.

In February 2010 I started working at Wheatsfield in the grocery department and moved to the bakery this summer. I’ve always loved Wheatsfield and have been a member for a few years. It’s been wonderful to be a part of the store. Personally I’m vegan and have been interested in alternatives to the standard American diet for a long time. I understand how nice it is to be able to buy fresh baked treats that cater to different eating styles.

I will continue to bake all of the goodies that you have come to expect plus a variety of gluten-free and vegan treats as well as seasonal items. As always, if there is something you would like to see in the bakery, please let me know. This holiday season we will be selling pies again. There will be traditional pumpkin and sweet potato, Dutch apple with a streusel topping, and pecan pies. Vegan and gluten-free options of each will be available.