MISSION & VISION 

Voyageurs Sourdough is naturally leavened, hand-crafted bread made with local Wisconsin grains.

Our sourdough is truly hand-crafted; meaning we do the majority of the work by hand. The rise in the loaf is created by the use of a wild yeast starter. There has never been any commercial or powdered yeast used in our products.

Flour, water, salt; It’s the simplicity that makes this type of bread so mysterious. When you pair that with high-quality ingredients, you get a truly impressive product that has a distinct difference you can taste. 

The grains are sourced from local farmers using organic farming practices. The personal relationships that have been built with the farmers means we know and truly trust the quality of the ingredients that go into our bread.

In a bite of Voyageurs Sourdough, you’re getting a taste of northeast Wisconsin heritage.Our mission is to bring the community together around the table through curiosity and creativity on the plate.

We believe food created with care and enjoyed with good company is just as essential to health as any specific nutrient, and that curiosity around the table is a key to growth and learning.

SETTING THE INTENTION

On Thursday, February 22nd, 2018, Ben wrote on a piece of paper: "I want to do something with my hands. I want to know my customers."

Ben Cadman and his wife Celeste Parins were in Malaysia enjoying the last few days of tropical air and sunshine before they embarked on their big move to the U.S.

As they routinely did, Celeste led them through an intention setting exercise. Part of that was to sit down and write out the things they wanted to do and feel on a daily basis in their next chapter of life.

It was a time of new beginnings. They were starting a family and a new life together in Green Bay. It was an opportunity to receive full clarity on their intentions and goals for the next chapter.

Celeste, a Green Bay native, had spent ten years living in various places around Asia and Australia. In the beginning of her journey, Celeste met Ben; a half Swiss, half English global citizen residing in Malaysia. After years of galavanting around Asia together, they had a baby on the way, and decided to make a big move to the U.S. and back to Celeste's home town.

Although they were both ready for something different, they weren't completely sure what it looked like. Ironically (or not so ironically) they both said they wanted to get to meet their customers face to face, and do something creative with a tangible product.

Four months later they were on the road to making the goal come true of "wanting to do something with my hands."

VOYAGEURS SOURDOUGH STARTS...

The first appearance of a loaf of Voyageurs Sourdough was at a Farmer's Market. With what seemed like a huge production at the time, we made 18 loaves of bread, and they sold out in 30 minutes. 

After having the same success the next few markets, the home delivery service launched to bring hand-crafted sourdough to homes around the Greater Green Bay area.

After a research trip to the local museum, the name Voyageurs had been chosen. The Voyageurs were early French-Canadian traders who transported furs and other materials over long distances, and frequently through the Green Bay area.

Since our sourdough is mainly a French style sourdough, this name was well suited because it reflected the French influence on food and culture in Wisconsin. This name represents the history of Green Bay while reflecting a feeling of kindred spirits as the Voyageurs were adventurous, curious, and explorers.

You'll often hear us talk about the Voyageurs Journey. We feel a bit of kindred spirit with the early explorers, as we continue to explore bread and other baked goods, and share the experience with you all as we go.

With a decided business name, Voyageurs Sourdough was created in August of 2018.

Exploring food is an adventure and there are many things to learn and discover by tasting, making, and sharing food. Sourdough is specifically unique in it's dynamic fermented nature, providing endless opportunities to discover and explore.

After growing the home delivery baking business for one year, the business reached a pivotal growth point. It was time to take it to the next level.

So together with his wife Celeste, Ben decided it was time to open a Bakehouse in downtown Green Bay.

OPENING THE BAKEHOUSE 

With the doors opening on Tuesday, March 10th of 2020, Voyageurs Bakehouse has seen an incredible journey of growth, unprecedented challenges, and lots of success and laughs along the way.

The Voyageurs Bakehouse is the retail space that customers have been asking for, and another mini-chapter of Downtown Green Bay as it brings the heartbeat of a bread bakery back into its' city center.

It is with a strong mission and vision that Voyageurs Sourdough intends to be a welcoming city-center common place for people of all ages to share good bread and good company.

To read more about the our bakehouse, you can view the full concept here. 

THE VOYAGEURS CREW: 

Ben Cadman

Co-Founder & Fermentation Fanatic

Ben is a global citizen, who has now found himself here in Green Bay Wisconsin baking bread for the local community. Born in Amsterdam, raised in Singapore & Malaysia, Ben is actually half English, half Swiss. Being the son of a professional chef, Ben’s passion for food started at a very young age. His career has had many chapters including hotel management (Malaysia), owning a wine shop (Malaysia), CEO of e-commerce startup (Malaysia), head of procurement for an e-commerce (Hong Kong), and CEO of a health & wellness TV channel (Australia). Now taking on the entrepreneurial challenge himself, Ben is passionate about bringing sourdough to the Green Bay community and beyond.

At the absolute core of me loving sourdough bread is in its simplicity. Using natural yeast and bacteria to unlock the power inside tiny grains which goes on to create a bread that is visually beautiful, delicious and nourishing at the same time.

Celeste Parins

Creative Marketer & Mother of Mini-bread-connoisseur

LA born, Green Bay bred, Celeste is a global traveler and spent 10 years hopping around Asia and Australia as a digital marketing manager and strategist. Her passion and experience has been in natural integrative health, wellness, and personal growth, and has worked for some top brands in this space. Returning back to Green Bay in March 2018 with her husband Ben, and baby on the way, her career opened a new chapter into motherhood and entrepreneurship. Passionate to bring concepts, ideas, and cultural diversity to Green Bay, she’s hoping Voyageurs is just the starting point for creative concepts she'll bring to Green Bay.

Why do you love bread?

It brings people together around a table and perfectly compliments a beautiful table of food. It's rustic, yet refined; It's simple, yet complex. It’s a beautiful representation of the juxtaposition of life.