As the annual celebration of all things Irish, St. Patrick’s Day plays host to a global flurry of emerald-hued festivities. But few combine tradition and celebration with purposeful intent better than the GreenIsland Bakery in Washington, DC. Pioneered by founder Caroline Johnston, who staunchly believed that “baking is a therapeutic, multisensory activity that mitigates anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder,” this bakery is indeed far from ordinary.
For this upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, Greenland Bakery promises a feast of authentic Irish indulgences. From Classic Shortbread to Chocolate Shortbread, Salted Caramel Shortbread, Strawberry Shortbread, and Millionaires Shortbread, all freshly baked with meticulously sourced luxury and imported ingredients, patrons can look forward to inhaling a distinct slice of Ireland. This elite range, following their enormous success on the recent National Shortbread Day, comes carefully packed in an array of bespoke Gift Boxes specially curated for this occasion.
Established in 2020, GreenIsland Bakery echoes the vision of its founder, who “always wanted to create a social enterprise” for women recovering from trauma. Fostering sustainable cooperation with local workforce development organizations, it lends itself to a unique operational style, referred to as the employment social enterprise (ESE) model. By converging a social mission with a bona fide business venture, ESEs holistically nurture overlooked workers, facilitate workforce coaching, and engineer operational strategies that uplift and support its employees.
Awareness and meaningful action stand at the bedrock of Greenland Bakery’s principles, with the bakery staunchly supporting causes such as January’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated event advocating public education about human trafficking and the role of communal prevention and intervention.
Baking delightful European and Irish goods is not just a monetary venture for GreenIsland Bakery; it springs from Johnston’s childhood memories of baking alongside her mother. It is also inexorably intertwined with her upbringing in Belfast during the infamous Northern Ireland conflict, the Troubles. This tumultuous experience sheds light on the bakery’s emphasis on baking as an expressive therapy and its mission to provide recovery training for women grappling with trauma.
Today, Greenland Bakery is a thriving enterprise, supplying its delectable treats to more than 50 stores in the region. Comprising a diverse workforce of five women and one man, leading roles range from a pastry chef, baker, events manager, and packaging specialist to an intern. These members represent an embodiment of the bakery’s commitment to enhancing racial and economic equities in workforce development, particularly for individuals recovering from traumatic experiences.
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, GreenIsland Bakery stands ready, cloaked in the spirit of the Irish celebration and buoyed by its unique founding principles. On offer are specially customized St. Patrick’s Day cookies, packed next to other traditional favorites in the widely anticipated festive gift boxes.
Undoubtedly, the bakery’s focus hints at much more than just the sale of bakery products. It’s a heartfelt endeavor promoting resilience, healing, and inclusivity, one decadent crumb at a time. By choosing Greenland Bakery’s St. Patrick’s Day gift boxes, customers partake in a rich Irish tradition and contribute to a unique social enterprise, thereby creating an impact beyond the festivities.
For further information on Greenland Bakery’s delightful range and pioneering social initiatives, visit their website at www.greenislandbakery.com. Witness how the art of baking transforms into a magical therapeutic exercise, crafted in the aroma of fresh bread and generously sprinkled with the powder of social change. This St. Patrick’s Day, it’s truly time to go green!
Published by: Martin De Juan
