Our Story
It all started in 1994 when I rented the 4-H kitchen at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds to bake my way to a better life. Inspired by my mom's healthy baking and armed with a KitchenAid mixer, I created a revolutionary new way to serve breakfast... The Original Breakfast Cookie was born!
For the last thirty years, oats and fruit have been the staple ingredients in my bakery, making us unique in our efforts to provide healthier food products. I take great pride in baking products with whole food ingredients that are sourced close to our bakery. While the "hands in the dough" touch is more time consuming, the gentle treatment of the raw ingredients results in a more premium product in terms of taste and texture, and also ensures my granola is full of whole, chunky clusters.
"I believe in a better way to eat, and I won't take 'no' for an answer."
My Breakfast Cookies, Breakfast Cookie Minis and Homestyle Granola are handcrafted and baked to order from our talented crew, promising homemade freshness and flavor!
Erin Baker, Owner and Founder
Meet the Team
Erin Baker - Owner & Founder
I am fortunate to have a very talented and smart mom who also happens to be a real foodie. I spent my childhood observing my mom doing it "old school," growing food of all kinds and then canning, drying and preserving for eating all yearlong. There was a constant bowl of whole wheat bread dough rising on the heater vent along with passionate conversation about the difference between whole food and refined processed food and why we don't eat "that margarine crap." I learned about the high value of whole foods and the absence of value in refined and processed foods.
I lived in San Francisco Bay Area in my early teens and 20's where I was inspired and educated by talents the likes of Alice Waters, Bradley Ogden and Emily Luchetti. They celebrated the importance of whole foods and demonstrated how to cook and bake with whole foods with wild success, this was in the 80's... they were onto something! Exposure to this genius left me determined to cultivate my own brand of success.
I believe in my products like we believe in our kids... with all of my heart. And... I am just getting started.
Rob McCormack - Chief Executive Officer
Family, community, getting outside, and quality eats are my priorities. Building brands that add value to people's day to day lives is a passion of mine. Providing nutritious food to "at risk" youth through our Help Feed 1 Million Kids Program is my cause. Snowboarding, paddling, fly fishing, wood working, smoking meats and growing food are my hobbies. I hoard our Homestyle Peanut Butter Granola and Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies in my cupboard. As much as I love all the above, I equally dislike bad acoustics, the word Binder, mackerel, traffic and artificial flavoring.
Sarah Klinedinst - Director of Operations
Scott Stephens - Controller
My family and I had been visiting Bellingham on a regular basis for over 15 years, when in 2020 we decided to visit permanently and moved from California. Being near relatives, the incredible scenery, and rain are a few of the things that drew us here. Playing golf, playing games with my 2 boys, and watching movies are a few things that I like to do with my free time.
My favorite Breakfast Cookie is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.
Jessie Lohrmeyer - Accounts Receivable Manager
I grew up here in Whatcom County and feel so fortunate to have found a company I love working for in the town I never want to move away from. When I'm not here at the bakery I'm usually spending time with my family and 2 adorable dogs, Lucy and Olive. Other things that help fill up my time is traveling, reading a LOT of books, and a never ending list of home improvement projects.
My favorite Breakfast Cookie is and always will be the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.
Hugh Macmillan - Maintenance & Production Manager
Carll Ann Strader - Accounting Dept
When I moved to Bellingham from Seattle for a job, more than 20 years ago, I thought I would be here for a couple of years and then move back to the city, as you can tell that never happened! I love living in Whatcom County. It’s just so beautiful here in all seasons! So many places to explore, whether it’s outside or inside.
When I get the chance, heading to the beach is always a favorite, whether, it’s Birch Bay or Waimea Bay, I like them all. Other things I enjoy… coffee, music and traveling as much as possible, not necessarily in that order.
My favorite Erin Baker's product right now is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookie. Although now that I have joined the fun team here at Erin Baker's, I have also become a big fan of the Double Chocolate Homestyle Granola, yummy!
Emmelyn Affeldt - Purchasing & Logistics Manager
In 2018, I visited a friend in Bellingham and fell in love with this town – its people, its places, its energy, and most of all… its landscape (you can’t beat having mountains and the ocean only an hour apart!). Fast forward one year later to the spring of 2019, and I abandoned my college roots in the Midwest and transferred to Western Washington University. Bellingham became home instantly but has continued to gift me with people and experiences that push me out of my comfort zone – just the way I like it.
I graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in operations management and international business in June 2021 and landed at Baker’s thereafter. Managing the bakery’s supply chain and logistics operations and working with such a badass team has been a tremendous opportunity and I’m grateful to come to work each day. Working at the bakery has ignited my passion for providing all consumers access to wholesome & minimally
processed foods that feature ingredients from all over the world.
My favorite Erin Baker’s product is Chocolate Coconut Crunch granola best served with creamy vanilla yogurt, or even better: vanilla bean ice cream.
Emma Clanton - Customer Experience Manager
I migrated from Seattle to Bellingham in 2016 to further my education and after 5 years and two degrees I am thrilled to be sticking around and keep growing as a part of this team! Outside of work I am an avid runner, leisurely book reader, and frequent podcast and music listener. Depending on the season you can find me adventuring in the outdoors (rain or shine) or curled up on the couch catching up on my shows. Although I don't have my own furry friend, I won't think twice about befriending my neighborhood cat, dog, lizard, and or squirrel - I love them all!
As a lover of cookies, getting to eat a breakfast cookie as my meal speaks to me on so many levels! Picking just one flavor is a bit too tough... but if I had to, I would say our seasonal Gingerbread Breakfast Cookie.
Kristi Harkness - Customer & Administrative Support
I am a Whatcom County native and am really excited to work
for a company with local roots that does such wonderful things for the community! During my spare time, I am an avid flower gardener and traveler and have an amazing husband and 6 wonderful grandchildren that keep me busy! I also enjoy hiking and just being outdoors in general. And I’m a big Seattle Mariners fan, through good times and bad!
My favorite Erin Baker’s product is the Fruit & Nut granola. I love to put it on my vanilla yogurt with some fresh fruit!