DELAND, Fla. –The DeLand Bakery Group – a family owned business firmly rooted in the DeLand community – recently completed participation in the state-funded GrowFL program, part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
Founded in 1989 by Pablo Hernandez, (Alfredo Avila bought it in 1998) the DeLand Bakery Group offers fresh, natural and organic produce grown by local farmers, as well as fresh-baked products and natural supplements.
“Our affiliation with GrowFL is helped us in many ways with our growth and the future opening of our exclusive in-store natural spa and bistro,” Avila said.
Created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature, the GrowFL program is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses to participate, members of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute look for companies that have growth potential, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“The DeLand Bakery Group was a good candidate for the program as it already has 40 employees and the potential for continued growth and expansion,” said Dr. O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
O’Neal said GrowFL supported the DeLand Bakery Group through a number of services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.
Avila said his company’s new, 42,000-square foot, high-tech facility is helping him maintain his quest for excellence, creativity and innovation, as well his company’s mission of honesty to its customers.
“We believe our customers have a fundamental right to know exactly what is contained in the products they are buying and, therefore, we give full ingredient disclosure on all of our baked goods,” Avila said.
The DeLand Bakery Group supports healthy families by promoting an organic lifestyle and providing high-quality, gluten-free and natural health products, he said.
“With the assistance from GrowFL we’re able to expand our line of certified organic and natural products and supplements.”
About DeLand Bakery: Founded in 1989 by,(Pablo Hernandez) Alfredo Avila bought it 1998 the DeLand Bakery Group maintains a quest for excellence, creativity and innovation. The family-run company prides itself in educating its employees about the fresh, natural and organic produce sold there, as well as the certified organic and natural products and supplements offered. For more information about the DeLand Bakery Group, visit www.delandbakery.com.
About The Florida Economic Gardening Institute / GrowFL:
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida was established in 2009. Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Institute has provided services via the State of Florida’s Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, known as GrowFL. With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com
Source: GrowFL
