Our History: 35+ Years of Silver Hills Bakery Milestones
From Our First Sprouted Loaf to a Flourishing
Family-Owned, Family-Run Business
Good health is a journey. And so too is the founding and growth of our family-owned, BC-based business. From the first sprouted loaf baked from a family recipe in Lumby, to our bustling sprouted bakery in Abbotsford today, join us for a scroll through the history of Silver Hills Bakery.
Explore our milestones and memories. Learn where we came from and how we started. And see how Silver Hills Bakery sprouted from a slice of bread shared at a remote health and wellness retreat to the bright bags of whole grain goodness that now fuel families across Canada and the United States.
The History of Silver Hills Bakery
1987
First Loaves
After baking a few loaves of sprouted bread to share with visitors at the Silver Hills Guest House and Lifestyle Spa from his mom’s recipe, Brad Brousson is asked for more. Soon, he’s baking a steady supply for spa guests hungry for the goodness of sprouted whole grain bread.
1989
Silver Hills Bakery Founded
Unable to keep up and baking over 150 loaves every day in two home ovens, Brad partners with friends Stan and Kathy Smith and Silver Hills Bakery is born! Together, they open their first tiny bakery in the small town of Lumby in BC’s north Okanagan.
1991
Farm to Bakery Bread
Less than two years in and already out of space, Silver Hills builds a bigger bakery on fertile Lumby farmland. A combine, tractors, and farm-to-bakery fantasies leads to growing ingredients like peas, spelt, and ancient grains steps from the sprouting room.
1991
A Squirrelly Idea
In a leap of inspiration, Brad is convinced a serious seed-stuffed bread with a whimsical name will be a winner. Customers prove his insight right as Squirrelly becomes Silver Hills Bakery’s bestselling sprouted bread overnight—and is still a fan favourite over 30 years later!
1992
Early Champions:
Silver Hills First
Retail Partners
Building relationships that would go on to stand the test of time, Silver Hills Bakery earns a place in the hearts and on the shelves of our earliest BC-based retail partners.
1994
Distribution Grows
Working with our first distributor partner, Silver Hills Bakery finds a place in the pantries of families further afield. In a few short years, our sprouted breads—once available only in select BC stores—can be bought across Canada.
1999
Sprouted Bread Shipped Fresh in Western Canada
Fresh-from-the-oven sprouted bread ships directly from Silver Hills Bakery to retailers across Western Canada as a new distribution partner makes same- and next-day delivery possible.
2002
Big Move #1:
Lumby to Abbotsford
Fresh out of room to grow, Silver Hills Bakery moves from small town Lumby to west Abbotsford to better service our retailers. The 60,000 square foot facility feels enormous!
2008
US Retailers Welcome
Silver Hills Bakery
BC-born and Canadian-made, Silver Hills Bakery shares the love of sprouted bread across the border, shipping our first orders to US retail partners in the Pacific Northwest—and to every state beyond soon after!
2009
A New Look:
Colour, Character,
and Creativity
Quirky names like Little Big Bread and The Big 16 join ever-popular Squirrelly to welcome a wider audience to the world of sprouted grains. Whimsical characters and bright colours help bring a smile to store shelves with our wholesome personality.
2010
Canada’s First Non-GMO Project Verified Bakery
With Stan, Kathy, and Brad’s shared passion for organic, non-GMO food, Silver Hills Bakery becomes Canada’s first third-party verified non-GMO bakery. (And we put the new Non-GMO Project Verified logo on every product to prove it).
2014
Big Move #2:
Abbotsford, But Bigger
Silver Hills Bakery outgrows the Peardonville Road bakery and moves to a new 160,000 square foot facility in east Abbotsford on McClary Avenue. In a logistical feat, the move is complete—without missing a day of production—in under a week!
2017
Sprouted Power!
The goodness of sprouted is hard to miss on the front of Silver Hills Bakery’s new packaging. Spelled out in big, bold letters, Sprouted Power® invites shoppers to discover what makes our breads truly special.
2018
The Sprouted Oven
Doors Open
From humble factory outlet to elevated eatery, the Sprouted Oven—Silver Hills Bakery retail bakery and pantry store—soon becomes Abbotsford’s destination for all things plant-based. Sandwiches, sweet treats, and superfood smoothies are crafted in one of two on-site bakeries: one sprouted wheat and one dedicated gluten-free.
2019
30 Years of Sprouting—
and Counting!
In celebration of Silver Hills Bakery’s 30th birthday, co-founders Brad, Stan, and Kathy reflect on their three-decade adventure. From milestones to mishaps, big catches to big challenges, the story of Silver Hills is one of growth, family, friendship, and faith.
2023
Fresh Look.
Improved Recipes.
Same Sprouted Goodness Inside.
A fresh look and softer recipes invite first-time triers to fall in love at first bite—and long-time fans to fall for Silver Hills Bakery all over again! With features up front, and why sprouted is a better-for-you choice on the back, finding a first-name friend in our sprouted bread is easy!