Chris Goertzen, owner, Main Bread & Butter Company Photos by Darcy Finley
oftentimes that isn’t enough. “I think people that produce local products often struggle to find how they can get it out to people,” Goertzen says. “Over the last 25 years we’ve created lots of good relationships with local buyers and producers and we are continually working to show them that we can effectively display and sell their product — and hopefully they can make a little bit of a profit and we can make a little bit of a profit, too.” That first taste of local success helps many producers grow, so their product can move out into the larger marketplace, well beyond the shelves at Main Bread & Butter Company. Although the store strives to reflect the community’s affection for its history, Goertzen recognizes it must move with the times as events warrant. That adaptability paid off when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Customers could order from a menu of $100 ready-prepared packages or create a customized grocery pack for contactless delivery. “The $100 package delivery has been very successful,” says Goertzen. “We’ve been able to supply hundreds and hundreds of baskets and food packages to people when they didn’t feel comfortable coming out to shop. “That often included mostly local products and that was not only helpful to people in the community, it helped to keep our employees busy and product moving out of the store.” Goertzen and his team are happy to see people coming back to the store, but they will maintain the delivery service post-pandemic because it’s been such a help to their community. For Goertzen, the company culture at Main Bread & Butter is tied to the community’s culture. “People see value in things that are produced locally and they’re seeing the strong connection between the people they’re supporting and healthy community,” he says. “We often have very good relationships with our regular customers, and many we know by name. We don’t have just product to sell, we have relationships to build.” ■
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WINTER 2021 23
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