Baked goods are one of the main subcategories in the food sector. They are popular everywhere across the world. Although baked products are sometimes considered to be cheap or staple food, artisan baked goods are growing in popularity. Businesses in the restaurant industry have benefited from that trend by partnering with commercial bakeries that supply them with high-end baked goods. If you’re looking for a wholesale bakery in Baltimore or wish to know the state of the sector, the following paragraphs will shed some light on the topic. We’ll share some details about the industry and some of the top wholesale bakeries in Baltimore. This article is part of our series on Baltimore food distributors. Make sure to also check our post about suppliers of wholesale meat in Baltimore.
Key takeaway: Most bakeries specialize in B2C sales. Others distribute their products only to businesses. And some bakeries choose to combine both retail and wholesale sales. The baking sector is known for the diverse selection of products offered and the growing popularity of artisan baked goods.
Bakery Sector in Baltimore
There’s a high demand for baked goods in the Washington–Baltimore area. That’s because of the fast pace of the region and the fact that it attracts millions of visitors each year. That’s why some businesses start as retail bakeries first but then they increase their operations, get a wholesale license, and also start offering their products wholesale.
Bakeries usually don’t specialize in a certain product. Instead, they aim to offer a variety of baked goods and pastries to their retail or business customers. However, some bakeries specialize in a specific category like French pastries or Italian breads. This allows them to be the preferred option for restaurant businesses that focus on this specific cuisine.
In addition to offering a variety of baked goods and wholesale products, a retail or wholesale bakery in Baltimore should also follow the trends in the sector in order to benefit from them and maximize profits. Currently, some of the major trends in the field are gluten-free products, artisanal baked goods, and fat-free desserts and pastries.
Popular Baked Goods Sold by Wholesale Bakeries in Baltimore
There is a large variety of baked products in different subcategories. Most cuisines around the world have popular sweet and savory baked goods. Let’s examine some of the products offered by retail and wholesale bakeries in Baltimore.
- Bread. Naturally, it’s among the most popular baked products worldwide. Catering businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and companies in the hotel industry often rely on commercial bakeries for bread. There are multiple varieties of bread made from different grains and in different sizes.
- Cookies. Some wholesale bakeries in Baltimore offer custom cookies or white-labeling services for cookies and other pastries.
- Cakes. They are often purchased by retail customers for special occasions. However, many wholesale bakeries in Baltimore and other areas of the country deliver cakes to grocery stores and other businesses.
- Other pastries and desserts. Pies, donuts, muffins, granola bars, and other baked goods also have a high demand. That’s why wholesale bakeries also offer such products.
- Specialty products. As the market shifts, the demand for gluten-free products and other specialty baked goods increases. That’s why most retail and wholesale bakeries in Baltimore also offer bulk deliveries of specialty and artisanal baked products.
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Well-Known Wholesale Bakeries in Baltimore
There are dozens of commercial bakeries in Baltimore and the nearby communities. Furthermore, some restaurant managers prefer to partner with broadline food distributors that also offer baked goods. In the next paragraphs, we’ll share some of the known distributors from the bakery niche market.
H&S Bakery
With more than 250 different baked goods offered, the company is among the preferred options for businesses that wish to find suppliers of quality baked products. H&S Bakery also has other brands – Northeast Foods and Schmidt Baking Company. Although the company is based in Baltimore, it operates 10 bakeries and 30 distribution centers across the East Coast.
Known for: The variety of products offered under various brands.
American Hearth Bakery
The company offers large quantities of baked goods at wholesale prices to hospitals, caterers, food service businesses, coffee shops, universities, and various other companies and institutions.
Known for: Its diverse selection of baked goods and being one of the reliable wholesale bakeries in Baltimore for both businesses and institutions.
Bakery Express
They offer a variety of customization options and co-manufacturing services for businesses that wish to sell baked goods under their own brand. The company also operates the Bakery Express Cafe where customers can combine specialty coffee and freshly-baked breakfast or lunch.
Known for: Their cakes and other baked products and their co-manufacturing capabilities.
Classic Bakery
This family-owned bakery is primarily known for its cakes and pastries offered at its three locations. However, the company also operates as an artisan wholesale bakery in Baltimore and the nearby towns. They offer custom packaging solutions, private labeling, co-packing, and other services targeted at businesses.
Known for: Their custom cakes and high-quality artisan pastries.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Bakeries in Baltimore
If you wish to know how to become a sustainable supplier or what are the high-demand products to sell, you’ll find valuable information on our website. Below we’ve answered some popular questions regarding wholesale bakeries in Baltimore.
Do Wholesale Bakeries in Baltimore Also Sell Retail?
Yes. Many bakery businesses combine B2B sales with selling their products to retail customers. It’s important to keep in mind that there are multiple differences between working primarily with businesses and selling retail. For example, location is very important for retail bakeries. They are often situated near parks, office buildings, or areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic. On the other hand, a business that operates as a wholesale bakery in Baltimore might be located in a business district or another area with a lot of warehouses and other businesses.
Can You Sell Homemade Baked Goods in Maryland?
According to the cottage food regulations in Maryland, baking and selling products in a home kitchen is permitted. However, there are rules that need to be followed. Here are some important aspects to keep in mind.
- The annual revenue from sales of cottage food products should not exceed $50,000;
- The cottage food category includes baked goods, fruit preserves, confections, and various other products;
- Maryland cottage food rules don’t allow the sale of dehydrated fruits, nut butter, low-acid canned products, raw dough, raw seed sprouts, sugar-free products, and other types of products;
- Cottage food laws might differ based on county and municipal regulations;
- There are labeling requirements and other regulations that should be followed as well;
- Selling baked goods online is possible but sales are permitted only in the state of Maryland.
How to Start a Retail or Wholesale Bakery in Baltimore?
Starting a bakery business can be profitable and fulfilling. There’s a growing demand for artisan bread and other high-end baked goods. Here are the steps to start a retail or wholesale bakery in Baltimore.
- Create a proper and thorough bakery business plan that includes financial projections, competition, and other important components;
- Find and lease the right place. If you’re starting a retail bakery, the location is of paramount importance. A wholesale bakery in Baltimore can be located in an industrial area;
- Start preparing all needed documents and licenses. Simultaneously, invest in bakery equipment and bakery technology;
- Create a menu and start doing bakery marketing. You should also start searching for wholesale customers;
BlueCart: The Bread-and-Butter Software for Wholesale Sales
With the help of BlueCart, wholesalers can easily benefit from eCommerce and automation solutions. Multiple bakeries or broadline distributors also use our platform to expand their customer base and benefit in other ways. Find out why BlueCart is the right choice for business owners in the wholesale industry by scheduling a free demo.