HUDS Teams Up with Petsie Pies, Swiss Bakers

Students no longer need to venture off campus to satisfy cravings for some of their favorite baked goods.

Harvard University Dining Services has partnered with Cambridge staple Petsi Pies and recent Allston arrival Swiss Bakers to offer products from these local bakeries in all their retail locations, including the Greenhouse Café.

“Petsi and Swissbakers are independent businesses and they sell to us—as they do to other retailers –at a set wholesale price,” HUDS spokesperson Crista Martin wrote in an e-mail to The Crimson.

HUDS submits orders to the bakeries in advance, and the items are delivered fresh each morning.

According to Martin, the response to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, as customers continue to enjoy the new options and recognize the high quality of the bakeries.

These partnerships are part of the larger HUDS green initiative.

“As part of our overall sustainability program, we routinely partner with local companies such as these to share their popular products with our customers,” she wrote.

Martin added that an integral facet of the HUDS mission involves featuring local products.

“Whenever possible, we buy locally, which is both an investment in the New England economy and an effort to reduce the environmental impact of transportation of goods,” she wrote.

Thomas Stohr, co-owner of Swiss Bakers, said he was excited at the opportunity to partner with HUDS, which was extended through a request from John M. Aiken, Procurement Manager for HUDS and an active proponent of the sustainability program and of local farmers and businesses.

“We have great supporters in the Harvard community,” Stohr said. “We share the same values of healthy, fresh food.”

Harvard similarly approached Petsi Pies with an interest in selling their products, according to Petsi Pies business administrator Talbot Penniman, who credited Petsi’s local reputation with attracting the attention of HUDS.

The University began selling Petsi Pies products this past fall and added Swiss Baker items this month.

“Petsi and Swissbakers are local and well respected bakers who also do this kind of wholesale business to expand their market,” wrote Martin. “We're lucky to feature their great - and yummy - work!”

—Staff writer Nikki D. Erlick can be reached at nikkierlick@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @nikkierlick.

—Staff writer Melody Y. Guan can be reached at yguan@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MelodyGuan.