At Global Plant-Based Certification, we have the privilege of certifying remarkable businesses that not only embody the essence of plant-based living but also contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming The Good Crust from Maine into our plant-based certified family, and their story is one that exemplifies the transformative power of plant-based certification and community support.
The Good Crust: More Than Just Pizza Dough
In the classic tale of the Little Red Hen, the titular hen goes from seed to wheat to flour to loaf quite famously by herself – nothing taken, nothing shared. At the end of the day, the Hen’s table is set only for one.
But when Heather Kerner decided to get into the dough business herself, she took a different approach — one that supports others as a key feature of the business model, grown with the support of her community and Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Kerner’s business, the Canaan-based Good Crust, is unique in that it combines a focus on food production with high-quality Maine ingredients with tailored workforce development goals.
A Unique Business with a Community Focus
The Good Crust was founded in September 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since been producing high-quality pizza dough made of authentic Maine ingredients for clients throughout the state and the country. However, what sets The Good Crust apart is not just its delicious pizza dough but its commitment to providing employment opportunities for individuals who may face unique challenges in the job market.
These individuals include those with cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, as well as those in addiction recovery. Kerner’s mission goes beyond crafting exceptional pizza dough; it extends to making a positive impact on her community by providing meaningful employment opportunities and fostering a sense of inclusivity.
Planting the Seed of The Good Crust
Heather Kerner’s journey to create The Good Crust was one built on experience, compassion, and a passion for creating something unique. With nearly 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Kerner supported individuals with various support needs, much like those she now employs. During her career, she used local grains, provided by her twin sister Amber Lambke’s company Maine Grains, to teach functional life skills to her students. It was through this work that she realized the potential to create a business that not only sourced ingredients locally but also acted as a platform for workforce development.
Kerner’s idea for The Good Crust was born out of her belief that she could achieve two vital goals: source a pizza dough made with 100% Maine grains and use her business to empower and employ individuals who often face barriers to traditional employment.
Navigating the Challenges: Support from Maine’s Ecosystem
Kerner’s idea was excellent, her connections to source ingredients were strong, and her decades of therapeutic experience were invaluable. However, she needed more experience in running a business and the funds to get started. This is where Maine’s robust entrepreneurial support system came into play, and it began with the Women’s Business Center at CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.).
Kerner attended an accelerator class offered by the Women’s Business Center called Propeller. Despite her product not having much to do with tech, she recognized that gaining entrepreneurial skills would be vital to bring her pizza dough to market. The course taught her to identify customers and how to communicate with them, positioning her to begin earning income and paying her team as soon as dough production began.
The Propeller program also introduced her to CEI, leading to connections with advisors at the Women’s Business Center and CEI’s lending team. CEI was willing to take a risk on an early-stage startup like The Good Crust when other local banks might have required a significant down payment on a commercial property. CEI provided the counseling and preparation needed for a commercial loan, securing the lending and helping Kerner avoid additional years of fundraising for an initial down payment on her manufacturing facility.
With the support of CEI, The Good Crust moved into a 1,200-square-foot manufacturing facility in Canaan, Maine, in mid-2022. It already had 11 part-time employees, having outgrown a shared kitchen in Skowhegan. The CEI loan also facilitated the purchase of much-needed equipment, including a large-capacity commercial mixer, 3-phase power, a dough-baller, and a walk-in freezer.
The Good Crust: A Plant-Based Commitment to Maine
The Good Crust is unique in more ways than one. Not only is it dedicated to sourcing 100% of its grains from Maine, but it’s also proud to purchase these grains from Maine Grains. The commitment extends to over 60 farmers supplying Maine Grains, all of whom pledge never to use chemical fertilizers or pesticides on their grain crops. This dedication to local, sustainable ingredients is a testament to The Good Crust’s mission and the values they hold dear.
The Good Crust’s exceptional pizza dough, created with Maine grains, is now available in stores across North America, and you can easily locate a store near you through their store locator.
Global Plant-Based Certification: A Seal of Trust
When The Good Crust decided to enter the plant-based market and sought a symbol of verification and trust for consumers, they turned to Global Plant-Based Certification. We were delighted to provide them with our seal of trust, ensuring that their plant-based products meet the highest standards of plant-based purity. The Good Crust’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and community support aligns perfectly with the values of our certification.
In conclusion, The Good Crust is not just a pizza dough company; it’s a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, community support, and plant-based living. With the support of organizations like CEI and the certification from Global Plant-Based Certification, The Good Crust is poised for a bright future, both as a plant-based brand and as a beacon of positive change in the community. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Global Plant-Based Certified family and look forward to witnessing their continued growth and impact.
