Go Frost Yourself

Good morning, friends! You are going to think I am crazier than you already do, BUT I would like to talk directly to other food service industry professionals as well as consumers about something that is really going to impact the way we look at our businesses and eating out.

Most consumers don't know this, but there is a business in Rochester called Restaurant Depot, they are all over the country and they help independent restaurants supply their stores with ingredients, supplies, boxing and more.

This past March, Sysco announced its agreement to acquire Jetro Holdings for 29 billion dollars (parent company of Restaurant Depot). The deal is not closed and is still subject to regulatory approval, with an expected completion in 2027. AND ON TOP of that, Michelin partnered with Sysco as well, which made Michelin green stars that showed quality and locally sourced ingredients be discontinued.

Why does this matter? This could change the luxury of eating out, and the way local small businesses operate, price their menus and stock their restaurants... indefinitely.

Sysco is known for low-quality, fast-food style, mass produced food and now they are controlling a market that they were already a leader in nationally, on an even larger scale than before. When a company has that much control over what is being sold to so many restaurants in the USA, you have to wonder why?

So, we have grocery stores that we have to trust with our family's wellbeing selling big brand-named strawberries and produce that have been soaked in forever chemicals (among other things). And we have our independent businesses being pushed to use Sycso with other chain restaurants, so we can be stocked with all the same low quality and poorly accredited ingredients... nationwide.

What is the solution?

For me it has been choosing to shop as local as possible. Taking the time to make sure that I get in touch with local farms, markets and stands. Luckily, here, we make every single thing from scratch. Which is nice because I know that my recipes are built to withstand changes in the industry if need be.

The thing that is hard, is that the cost of everything has skyrocketed. The baking industry is hard when you do everything from scratch because you are up against places who use premade mixes and fillings, while we are fighting prices trying to use high-quality European butter, flour, cocoa and more. We have been trying to figure out the best way to handle that as well without fluctuating our pricing too much. But EVERY SINGLE piece of our ingredients and utilities have skyrocketed (other than eggs for now). One of the reasons why I will never be the cheapest place to go, and I understand that can be frustrating for some in this economy. But I stand by our ingredients, ten toes down.

I would like to urge you to start to do the same if you haven't already. Because we are going to blink, and it is going to be 2027.

If you don't know where to start, I am going to list a bunch of places in the area I really enjoy underneath.

If you are looking to invest in something to help with this journey, I would really look into this app called "Localize". You just type in your city and a ton of options pop up around you (flowers, meat, eggs, honey, fruit, veggies, soaps... AND MORE!

I would also like to throw it out there that I would love to sit with any local businesses, bakeries, restaurants, farms and otherwise that think that collaborating and connecting with each other would be beneficial! I would set that up in a heartbeat.

ANYWAYS, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk this morning.

I will put my list of great places below! Feel free to add to this list and tag anyone!

- Eight Little Boots Family Farms *7254 Dublin Rd. Bergen NY, 14416 (Play Center & Farm Store ) *6045 Buffalo Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 (farm stand)

-Sodoma Farms *Brockport, this is where we were able to get our strawberries this year

-Brockport Farmers Market *Main Street Brockport Sunday 9am-1pm

-Brightly Farms *525 Drake Rd. Hamlin, NY 14464

- City of Rochester Public Market *open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 6am-1pm

-Brighton Farmers Market * open Sundays 9am-1pm 150 Sawgrass Dr, Rochester, NY 14620

-Kelly's Farm Market & Bakery

-Kirby's Farm Market

-West Wind Farm at Blue Barn Cidery *934 Manitou Rd, Hilton, NY

-Partyka Farms 1418 *Monroe Orleans County Line Rd, Kendall, NY

-Growing Family Farms *602 Peck Rd, Spencerport, NY 14559

-Schutt's Apple Mill *1063 Plank Rd, Webster, NY 14580

-Powers Farm Market *161 Marsh Rd, Pittsford, NY 14534

-Lowenguth's Farm and Greenhouse *434 Martin Road, Hamlin, 14464, NY

-Sunscape Farms *1530 Maiden Ln, Rochester, NY 14626

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PS. Cinnamon Roll Saturday this week is Sticky Bun and Cherry pie!! As well as OG's, as always.

2544 A. Ridgeway Ave. Rochester NY 14626
(585)355-4668
[email protected]

🎆Just as a reminder we are closed today! I hope everyone has a happy 4th and stays safe 🎇

See you on Tuesday!

We have fresh chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven, OG's, apple pie twisties in the case and a ton of cupcakes, brownies, scones and other things to pick from!

We will be closed today and we won't see you again until TUESDAY!

Come stock up for any weekend plans, we will see you soon! 🙂

2544 A. Ridgeway Ave, Rochester
(585)355-4668
[email protected]