Santa Cruz Doors is still busy putting the spotlight on small local businesses to help KEEP DOORS OPEN during these hard times. Today’s food feature is The Farm Bakery Cafe & Gifts. I have grown up in Aptos and I am compelled to admit that I have LOVED The Farm since I was a kid, including their incredible and famous fruit tarts! Whether it’s bakery goods, breakfast delights, creative sandwiches, or their savory quiches, Santa Cruz locals have a soft spot for The Farm Bakery! And they are busy baking the difference 7 days a week!
We invite you to read the interview of owners Meg and Rolo Igno:
Tell us how long you’ve been in business here?
While we just took ownership this January, The Farm Bakery has been serving delicious food since 1976! In fact, we are the third generation husband and wife team running the place!
How did you get started?
We have a rich family history with food service in Santa Cruz county! Rolo and I actually met working at the Shadowbrook Restaurant but we have spent much of our professional lives serving as first responders. Customer service is very important to us. When the opportunity arose to own our go-to bakery, we were enthusiastic to partner with our Dad, Dave from the Pixie Deli, and take on this new adventure in life! Being back in the food service industry feels like I am returning to my roots.
What do you love about Aptos/Santa Cruz?
This is our home. It is where we have grown up and where our family is. Now we get to raise our own family here! We have always loved and been a part of this community and with the farm bakery we get to serve and grow in our community in a whole new way. We are so appreciative of the support we have received from this amazing community and the thanks we get for staying open.
How has your business been affected by the pandemic and shelter-in-place?
Just like any other business, we have taken a huge hit. The holiday season, like Easter, Mother’s Day and graduations are normally some of our busier days. A fruit tart is the perfect treat for a celebration! There is profit that is definitely being missed, which is a challenge, especially during your first year of owning a business.
How have you made adjustments and how can we as a community support you?
Operational hours have had to be adjusted but, we are doing our best to keep the majority of The Farm staff working to help support themselves and their families. The farm wouldn’t be the same without our amazing team! Like, so many other businesses we are doing our best to be creative about how we do business. The Farm has created gift shop catalogs for Easter and Mother’s Day ordering, via email, and offer pre-priced family “boxed” brunch options for these special occasions! Again, this community has been so supportive! We have even had customers buy gift cards to send to friends who can’t make it in right now. Wow. I would just say to keep shopping local, grab some food for take out or call us to help you create a gift for a friend or family member!..We happily offer curbside pickup. We would love to help in anyway we can and have enjoyed getting to meet many members of our community, from a distance, of course. Our current hour are daily, 8am-4pm and our take out menu is available on our website.
What are your favorite dishes that you serve? Or customer fave?
There are so many amazing treats to choose from but the fresh fruit tarts are our obvious best sellers! What most people don’t know is that even our bread is all made in house and we sell it by the loaf! Check out our extensive breakfast and lunch menu offered daily. Whole quiches have been a favorite take home item to enjoy together. My husband loves the French toast made with our own cinnamon bread! The grilled chicken and pear sandwich on our wheat-free is one of my faves!
Please follow the Farm Bakery on Facebook or Instagram and swing by and grab yourself a treat!
Website: www.thefarmbakerycafe.com
Facebook: The Farm Bakery Cafe & Gifts
Instagram: thefarmbakerycafe