Borrower Spotlight
Mel the Bakery
Hudson, New York
Mission & Business Overview
At the helm of Mel the Bakery is owner and founder Nora Allen, and at the heart of the bakery is a devotion to neighborhood, community, and craft. Mel offers a thoughtful selection of hearth-baked sourdough breads and seasonal pastries, sourcing grain from organic local and regional farms. Every loaf and pastry is handmade with deep respect for the timeless craft of baking. From wheat berry to loaf, fresh-milled grain is not only more nutritious — it also strengthens the regional agricultural economy. Mel mills all of their rye, einkorn, and whole wheat flour in-house to enhance nutrition, fermentation, and flavor in every dough. At Mel, the team fundamentally believes that good grain makes great bread and pastry. They prioritize working with local and regional makers and producers, and believe that quality ingredients make great products — and when experienced in an accessible, kind space, they are unforgettable. Supporting the local and regional food economy is central to the business. Building community through baking is at the heart of everything they do.
Loan Overview
Working line of credit, and a term loan which was used to purchase bakery equipment.
In Nora’s Words
"Walden’s people know what small business, local food entrepreneurs care about and need, and the fact that they want to be there to support those ideas and those visions is really special and unique.”
