Sprout vegan bakery grows with commercial kitchen in Vancouver

Last month, Sprout celebrated its one-year anniversary.

The vegan bakery run by 26-year-old Vancouver resident Ashley McLean recently introduced a black forest cake to its dessert collection and is now looking to get into tiramisu.

But the biggest news, according to McLean, is that Sprout is setting up its own vegan commercial kitchen, after previously renting space in another kitchen. On top of that, she has hired her first employee.

“Up to this point, I’ve been doing everything myself,” McLean told the Straight by phone. “I’ve been getting an hour to three hours of sleep a night. I’ve done a few 40-hour shifts—just working crazy.”

McLean says her aim is to support “responsible consumption” by making “quality natural products that don’t compromise on the taste”.

Sprout products are currently sold at Bonchaz Bakery Café (426 West Hastings Street) in Vancouver and Karmavore Vegan Shop (610 Columbia Street) in New Westminster.

With its convection oven, Sprout’s new kitchen will allow for faster baking and hopefully enable McLean to provide cakes and cupcakes to more retailers, in addition to filling more orders.

McLean still eventually wants to open up her own storefront in town. Getting her own commercial kitchen is just another step toward that goal.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I want to continue growing over time,” McLean said. “So, it’s definitely something we will be working on in the future.”

If you’re looking to find Sprout in person this month, McLean will be setting up shop at the Granville Island Public Market, Oak Street Farmers’ Market, and Baker’s Market. Dates are available on the Sprout website.

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