It's a safe bet that nobody in the sweet-goods or pastry sectors, nobody anywhere, for that matter, expected still to be contending with COVID-19 a full year and a half after lockdowns threw the baking industry, and life as we know it, into upheaval.
As Rich Products Corp. celebrates its 75th anniversary, we look back at its history of innovation—and catch up with the company’s progress during the pandemic.
History marks select years with unilateral distinction. Consider 1945 and the conclusion World War II, closing a door on a turbulent time in our global history, and opening a new door to an exciting new time in America, marked by significant growth and prosperity over the ensuing decade.
With the right recipe and conditions for growth, greatness can arise from humble beginnings. Such is the case with Main Street Gourmet, located in Akron, OH, a bakery company founded by lifelong friends Steve Marks, co-founder, member of the board of directors and former co-CEO, and Harvey Nelson, co-founder and CEO.
Bread is the largest category in the baking industry, and as such, faces continual challenges related to incremental growth. While legacy brands continue to perform well, the fresh bread, bagel and English muffin categories remained largely flat to slightly down over the past year.