Two Businesses Partner for a Walk-In Location
The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting celebration on August 20, 2021 to welcome a new business, Hoosier Creek Farms, located at 360 North Main Street in Bluffton at the Dutch Mill Plaza. David and Cara Teeple with Hoosier Creek Farms partnered with Zach and Hillary Helsema with The Bread Guy to offer their products in one location. The Bread Guy currently has a location in Markle.
David Teeple with Hoosier Creek Farms saw a huge need during the pandemic with a beef shortage. “Our society relies on the big box stores so much and it’s important to use the local producers to help fill those gaps. There is a huge quality difference from locally raised versus what is purchased in a store.” Due to the need, Hoosier Creek Farms officially opened for business in February 2020.
David and Cara Teeple own Hoosier Creek Farms with Wayne Reinhard raising approximately 50 head of grass-fed cattle. “Every head is born and raised here in Wells County and processed locally. Wayne has been raising cattle for 20 years and understands the high standards and quality for beef,” said Teeple. “Higher quality is about the soil and the grass the cattle eat. Everything planted in the pasture is intentional. The pasture in which they are raised are broken up in sections, so the cattle are moved around to eat the best quality grass and they are not overgrazed.”
In addition to offering grass-fed beef, the Teeple’s partnered with Vic Reinhard who raises the grain-fed beef and pork. Hoosier Creek Farms also partners with Miller’s Poultry in Orland to sell chicken. “Since we can ship the product out of Indiana, we have Fishers Meats in Portland process and vacuum seal the meat because we need the round USDA stamp, which they can provide. Online marketing has helped to increase the business as we have shipped to Michigan, Ohio, and all over the state of Indiana.”
Zach Helsema, owner of The Bread Guy was trying to find a location to offer higher-end bread products. “We currently offer bread to 14 different restaurants and work at three different Farmers Market such as Bluffton’s Parlor City Market, Barr Street, and Roanoke,” stated Helsema. Teeple and Helsema met at the Parlor City Market last summer and built a relationship and decided to partner together.
“David and I started talking and decided to open a space at the Dutch Mill Plaza,” said Halsema. “Our goal is to get the awareness built up about our products, increase sales, and then we can open up the space more frequently. Once we can expand, I would like to offer more products such as cold and hot sandwiches, dips, charcuterie boards, and our signature pocket sandwiches filled with meat and cheeses. We are really excited to get this up and running, learn what the needs are, and expand.”
“The fun part of working at the Farmers Markets is getting to know people, talking about our products, building relationships, and creating trust,” said Teeple. “I really enjoy educating people and offering a product they have never had before.”
The Dutch Mill location will be open for walk-in hours on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 4pm to 7pm. Online orders for Hoosier Creek Farms can be picked up during those times at Dutch Mill and on Saturday mornings. An additional location at Life Church in Huntington is also available on Saturday’s to pick up Hoosier Creek Farms online orders.
Hoosier Creek Farms meat selections and online ordering can be found at hoosiercreekfarmsllc.com and The Bread Guy at thebreadguyllc.com for all bread selections.
Pictured in the photo left to right:
Kevin Pritchard, Ruoff Home Mortgage, Chamber Ambassador
Jessica Beste, American Mortgage, Chamber Ambassador
Alyssa Sponseller, Archbold & Lewis, Chamber Ambassador
Wayne Reinhard, Hoosier Creek Farms
Gina Hon, First Merchants Bank, Chamber Special Events
Cara Teeple, Hoosier Creek Farms
Rob Lyons, Bluffton Regional, Chamber Board
David Teeple, Hoosier Creek Farms
Ayden Teeple, Hoosier Creek Farms
Liam Teeple, Hoosier Creek Farms
Zach Helsema, The Bread Guy
Stephanie Hiday, Magical Vacation Planner, Chamber Ambassador
Keith Muhlenkamp, First Merchants Bank, Chamber Ambassador
Heather Morgan, National Oil, Chamber Ambassador
Erin Prible, Executive Director, Wells County Chamber of Commerce