We’re so pleased to feature Wild Oats Bakery & Café , the winner of MCA’s Business Award at the 2025 Champions for Children Giraffe Awards Luncheon.
✨ Wild Oats will be recognized at the 2025 Giraffe Awards Luncheon. Join us for a morning of celebration, community, and joy!
📅 Tuesday, November 18 | 11:00 AM
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Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center, Hallowell
🎟 Tickets and sponsorships are available now—tap the link below to snag 'em!
2025 Champions for Children- Sponsorship & Ticket Sales by Maine Children's Alliance
" Wild Oats is a locally-owned, from-scratch bakery, deli and cafe just minutes from downtown Brunswick. We have a brand-new, airy and spacious building (with tons of parking!) at 166 Admiral Fitch Avenue. All of our food is made by hand and from-scratch by a group of 20-plus devoted chefs and support staff and we promise that we always look for the most all-natural and fresh ingredients possible, that customer service and high-quality products are our top priorities, and that social and environmental responsibility are at the very center of everything we do."
Becky and Marshall Shepherd are the heart behind all the Wild Oats magic.Wild Oats began its journey as a pillar of community in 1991. Originally a small retail store in downtown Brunswick, Becky gradually transformed the space into a full-fledged bakery—and the rest is history. Today, Wild Oats operates from a bustling complex near the Brunswick Airport and employs ninety-five full-time staff.
Becky and Marshall lead with generosity and kindness—to their employees, their community, and the state of Maine. They make a point to hire New Mainers and invest deeply in their long-term success. Through a partnership with Midcoast Literacy, volunteers teach English to staff members for two hours each week—and staff are paid to attend class, a change Becky and Marshall implemented when they realized how little time their hardworking team had to spare improving their English at home.
The Shepherd’s also go above and beyond to ensure Wild Oats is an extraordinary place to work. Employees receive health benefits, a 401(k) plan, two complimentary shift meals per day, and a $100 monthly gift card to treat family and friends at the bakery. When they notice a need, Becky and Marshall don’t hesitate to act. For example, when transportation became a barrier for staff, they worked with town officials to establish a bus stop outside the bakery, purchased bikes, and even helped employees practice for their driver’s tests. They also provided Brunswick library cards for staff who live in neighboring towns.
The culture at Wild Oats is one of joy and belonging. Staff participate in a book club, a dodgeball league, and tie-dye t-shirts together during Pride Month.
Wild Oats is also deeply invested in the next generation. The bakery partners with local schools, the Midcoast Youth Center, and the Chamber of Commerce to host field trips and paid internships. Students gain hands-on experience in the bakery’s two kitchens—learning to make sandwiches, frost cupcakes, and explore the logistics of running a business. Becky & Marshall also speak in high school classrooms and conduct mock interviews, helping students learn about starting and running a small business, as well as discussing rewarding career paths.
Wild Oats welcomes nonprofits to use their space free of charge and invites local artists, small businesses, and community groups to set up tables outside to connect with customers. Every year, they give gift certificates to teachers and first responders in Brunswick, Harpswell, Topsham, and Bath as a token of appreciation.
For Becky and Marshall, community and family are at the heart of everything they do. When they’re not at the bakery, they can be found outdoors or spending time with their loved ones.
Thank you, Becky, Marshall, and the entire Wild Oats team, for your unwavering generosity and your commitment to Maine’s kids and communities.
