Pride on the prairie
Capital Electric - December 1, 2011
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A Capital Electric member from the Regan area, Katy Kassian says doing business in rural North Dakota is no problem. She produces small orders overnight and larger orders within a week, and she guarantees all shipped baked goods arrive fresh and tasty. |
A steaming, fresh Cow Patty never smelled - or tasted - so good. A soft, moist cookie with chunks of cherry and chocolate, the Cow Patty is just one of many specialty cookies made and sold by the Buffalo Gals Bakery and Country Store. Katy Kassian, resident of the Regan area and member of Capital Electric Cooperative, owns and manages the business, which was started with Connie Ganje of Washburn.
Katy says food has always been an integral part of her life.
"My dad is French and my mother is Italian, and there was always an abundance of food - which is why we are all short and fluffy," she jokes.
Katy and her husband, Tom, own D' Eggos Diner in Underwood, which is where the Cow Patty, White Buffalo, Hog Heaven, Funky Monkey and other cookies are baked. Katy also makes and sells caramel rolls, sweet rolls, all-natural granola, pies, bars, kuchen, bread and biscotti.
Using 100-year-old recipes hand-written by her grandmother, Katy is especially proud of her biscotti.
"My grandma came from Italy. Growing up over there, the wealthy people had the fancy-style, dipped biscotti. The peasants had the granola biscotti or the Mediterranean-style full of the nuts and fruits, because it held next to forever and they could take it to the field with them," she explains. "It was a pocket food. They didn't need to cook it or do anything to it; they could just eat it."
Just as biscotti was a staple in her grandmother's diet, Katy says she grew up eating it, too.
"A lot of people equate biscotti with higher-end coffees. But we used to dip them in soups and gravies," she describes.
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Using recipes that have been in her family for 100 years, Katy is especially proud of her homemade biscotti. |
Having worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years, Katy started selling Buffalo Gals baked goods in Jamestown and Medora. Since she joined the Pride of Dakota program a couple years ago, Katy markets and sells gift baskets with her products across the United States.
A program of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Pride of Dakota helps North Dakota companies market their products. Sara Kelsch, marketing specialist for the Department of Agriculture, says Pride of Dakota holds holiday showcases and other events across the state for members to gather and sell their products. The program also hosts educational classes for members to learn the valuable business tools needed to help them succeed and grow in their business. Members pay a minimal annual fee to be a part of the program.
"It's the best $50 you're ever going to spend on yourself for advertising," recommends Katy. "Along with being listed on the Pride of Dakota's Web site, members can take free classes on marketing, pricing and structuring a business. It's fabulous."
Kelsch says Pride of Dakota products make thoughtful and affordable holiday gifts.
"We have a love for our state here, and customers like to share that. They like sending North Dakota gifts out of state to family members or friends who have moved," she speculates.
"We also have some really innovative members who make really unique products. That's attractive to customers," she says. "And so many customers really enjoying visiting with the members at our events and learning about the stories behind their products."
The story of Katy's grandmother passing down biscotti recipes is certainly interesting - as well as how Katy is using her heritage and skills to make a living in a very rural part of North Dakota. While she certainly sees a boost in sales around the holidays, Katy says baked goods make the perfect gift year-around.
"Everybody likes feel-good, comfort food. When in doubt, feed them food. Toss in a bag of coffee or a bottle of wine and you're good to go," she laughs.
To learn more about the Buffalo Gals Bakery and Country Store, visit www.buffalogalsbakery.com, e-mail sales@buffalogalsbakery.com or call (701) 333-8402. For more information on Pride of Dakota, visit www.prideofdakota.nd.gov/ or call (701) 328-2231 or (800) 242-7535. In the Bismarck area, shoppers can also visit Arrowhead Plaza Drug or Prairie Creek in Gateway Mall to see a variety of Pride of Dakota products.
FAST FACT: Tom and Katy support two charities through the baking business. Proceeds from their Old Glory sugar cookie are given to the Wounded Warrior Project, and proceeds from the Bucking Bull-Nana go to the Rider Relief Fund.