Who Owns Bragg Family Farm?

As the name hints, Rodney and Cathy Bragg own Bragg Family Farm. With a house full of kids, owner Cathy Bragg knows a thing or two about baking and cooking for lots of people. Learn more about this small family business in my interview with Cathy.

What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

I am a mom of 10 children, ages 8 to 31. Twelve years ago I was working as a physical therapist (My husband, Rod, is a physical therapy assistant). Our son David was so sick that we were afraid we would lose him. We put him on a “nothing but bone broth” diet and he started to improve. Eventually he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

In order for me to be home more, and learn to cook gluten free, we switched to farming raspberries and making maple syrup. We started selling at our local farm market and off our farm. I told my husband that if he would build a commercial kitchen that we could also sell Gluten Free baked goods.

Rod quit his job, built the kitchen and then Covid hit. Would anyone ever come to inspect and license the kitchen? Would anyone even come to the markets? The day before the first farm market, after much pleading, our kitchen was licensed. We quickly baked all the gluten free baked goods we could and brought them to the market. It went great and we sold out!

Are Bragg Family Farm’s Baked Goods free from other allergens?

Our most popular breads, (Sandwich Bread and Paleo Cinnamon Raisin Bread) are both gluten free and dairy free, but contain lots of farm fresh eggs. Because my father followed a gluten, dairy, and egg free diet, I have several recipes worked out to accommodate those dietary restrictions. Several patrons will special order them from time to time.

We do make granola and bake with almonds, tree nuts, and peanut butter. However we use dedicated equipment on designated days to make products that contain nuts. Then there is a careful cleanup using disposable cloths and lots of soap.

When all the “nut equipment” is put away and everything is clean, then we will return to baking our regular gluten free products. We verbally explain this to people with allergies, but do not have any special label on our packaging to indicate nut free.

What steps do you take to ensure that your products are gluten-free?

First, we bake and make everything in a dedicated gluten free commercial kitchen. We use only certified gluten Free flour and ingredients in our kitchen. We do use oats and oatmeal sourced from Bob’s Red Mill.

Reading your blog was very helpful to me. It helped me understand how sensitive a person can be to oats. This led me to change several of my recipes to eliminate oat flour and also to switch to using dedicated baking sheets for any baked goods using oats, like I would do for a recipe that uses nuts.

You also inspired me to develop a different granola recipe that does not contain oats or dairy. It is selling very well at the markets and at the local Power House Gym.

Tell me More About the “Mini Maple Mall.”

We do have a small farm store called the Mini Maple Mall, located on our farm. It is always open and stocked with maple syrup and maple sugar, jam, and gluten-free granola. Friends will sometimes stop out on a Tuesday or a Friday, (my baking days) to pick up whatever gluten free baked goods just came out of the oven.

Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business? 

I think this comment on their Facebook page says it all. “You guys are AWESOME! EVERYTHING you make is so healthy. I am not usually a shopper but I lose all control when I enter the Bragg, Help-Yourself Shed. So good!”

What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

All of the recipes that I bake are created by me using favorite old recipes and playing with a variety of gluten free flours until it is just right. Family, friends, and neighbors are only too happy to be taste testers and provide feedback. About half of our customers are strictly Gluten Free and the other half just enjoy eating our baked goods.

This year we are excited to be at both Gaylord (The Pavilion Market) and Boyne City (Boyne City Farmer’s Market) on both Wednesday AND Saturday.  So far that has been going great! We take orders for gluten free baked goods year round, and offer shipping.

How Do We Place a Special Order?

Calling Cathy at (989)731-1167 is a great way to know exactly what we are baking today and to request a special order for tomorrow.  (It is a land line so it doesn’t receive texts.)  Email works just fine too, braggfamilyfarm13@gmail.com, especially for shipping.

Bragg Family Farm

Gaylord, MI

Home Based Business

Sells at Gaylord Farmers Market and Boyne City Market

Preferred Method of Contact – Email or Phone

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Phone

Bragg Family Farm is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map! Looking for more local eats? Check out my list of gluten free baked good options at Michigan Farmers Markets.

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