Area bakers receive grant to boost production and support food banks

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Bread companies in Pittsburg are working to combat food insecurity and strengthen food supply chains. New grant money will allow them to do just that.

"We want to be able to do more. So this grant will help us grow our capacity to bake bread," said Heather Horton, Toast and Pittsburg Bread Company co-owner.

Through the Kansas Department of Agriculture's "Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure" program, more than 49 projects with the same goal received an infusion of cash.

"The equipment that we've gotten will help so that we can produce a lot more bread at one time," said Heather Horton.

Out of the $5.6 million grant, the Pittsburg Bread Company was awarded $90,000 to purchase more equipment.

"We're going to get some equipment like a mill, a dough-specific dough mixer," said Heather Horton.

Heather Horton, co-owner of Pittsburg Bread Company, says they will also be able to continue to buy locally grown ingredients from farms in Kansas.

"It'll speed up the process of the mixing. I have a dough divider shape for this. Pretty much everything that I do by hand is going to be replaced," said Roger Horton, Pittsburg Bread Company baker and co-owner.

Behind the bread-making is Roger Horton, co-owner of the business.

By having more machines, he says it can also bring in more helping hands.

"Not only helps me produce more bread, but it'll help me hire somebody and train them," said Roger Horton.

That means more to give out under the "Spread the Loaf" program, which currently provides 40 loaves of bread every other week to Wesley House and the Community Pantry in Girard.

"To share with others. Yeah, it makes it special. It gives us a purpose beyond just running a business," said Heather Horton.