NewsNation

New York bakery reopens with a new mission: fighting food insecurity

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (NewsNation Now) — A popular bakery in upstate New York almost closed its doors for good, but it’s now open again and donating all its profits to charity.  

One hundred percent of all revenue earned at The Bread Basket Bakery in Saratoga Springs will be put toward combatting food insecurity and hunger.


Joan Tallman started the bakery back in 1982 and it became a community staple for baked goods over the last three decades. This summer, Tallman announced her retirement.

“People who got their cakes when they were kids are now getting their kids’ cakes here,” the bakery’s general manager Matthew Tallman told NewsNation affiliate WTEN.

Two community members, Ed and Lisa Mitzen, approached Tallman to take over the business. Tallman agreed but wanted to make sure the business stayed the same and all proceeds went to local charities reducing hunger.

“I felt like I could help keep the business going. I could keep the staff employed and we could do good in the process too,” explained Ed Mitzen.  

After reopening this October, they presented their first check to the local charity Capitol Roots.