Waterford Bakery Owner Gives U.S. Troops A Taste Of Home

By Jayne Keedle

When Waterford resident Donna McNeill opened Great Harvest Bread Co. in Old Saybrook last fall, her goal was to serve fresh-baked bread to local folks. She never dreamed she'd be sending loaves to U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan. 

It happened quite by chance. One of her customers, Raymond Bechard, an author, journalist, and television producer, is working on a television series entitled “Honor Bound,” which focuses on telling the stories of U.S. soldiers overseas.   

“Donna was working on perfecting her recipe for Cinnamon Swirl bread and I tried a sample. I was leaving for Afghanistan the next day so I bought two loaves, froze them and packed them in my luggage along with all my video and recording equipment," he says. "The soldiers there have helped our project so much. I didn't want to show up empty handed and the bread was the perfect way to show our appreciation."   

The soldiers had butter in a refrigerator, and they devoured the bread commenting that it “reminded them of home,” Bechard says. 

After returning home, Bechard decided to send the troops two coffeemakers because theirs had broken. In the same shipment, he included as many frozen Great Harvest loaves as would fit in the box.     

“Having this wonderful bread allowed them to visit home for just a few minutes,” says Bechard. “And sometimes that's enough to get them through the day.”  

Through HonorBoundTV, McNeill’s bakery now regularly sends packages full of fresh bread and all kinds of baked goods on expedited journeys to Afghanistan to provide soldiers with a taste of home.  

McNeill says Bechard initially wanted to pay for the bread but she wouldn't think of charging him. A number of her employees liked the idea so much, they're also sending packages of frozen bread to friends and family members who are serving in the military.  

“Fresh baked bread is something everyone enjoys, and we think this is the least that we can do for the brave men and women supporting our country abroad," McNeill says. "We hope that this small token of our appreciation shows them that we care about them and hope for their swift and safe return.”             

About the Bakery

McNeill had always loved to cook from scratch but she's new to the bakery business and getting up before the crack of dawn every day to start baking took some getting used to. As a franchisee, however, she received extensive training from Great Harvest, learning everything from how to grind the wheat, which she does every day, to how to make the baked goods for which Great Harvest is famous.  

Great Harvest is known for handcrafted breads made with freshly ground whole wheat purchased from family-owned farms. Originally founded in 1976 in Great Falls, Mont. (by Pete and Laura Wakeman from Connecticut), Great Harvest has more than 200 bakeries located throughout the nation including Alaska and Hawaii. All bakeries are locally-owned and operated, and no two are alike. 

"Working together with my dad to get the bakery up and running has been a precious experience; truly a family labor of love,” McNeill says. "Great Harvest is all about making the best tasting products from scratch every day in a fun loving atmosphere. Our bakery is rooted in generosity and we thoroughly enjoy sharing our daily creations.”  

McNeill says tasting is believing. She encourages locals and visitors to stop in anytime for a free sample of breads and sweets hot-out-of-the oven.

The Old Saybrook Great Harvest bakery is located at 535 Boston Post Rd. and is open from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday; and 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit their website atwww.OldSaybrook.GreatHarvestBread.com.