Bill Text: VA SJR264 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending The Difference Baker.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ264ER) [SJR264 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR264-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, The Difference Baker, founded by Alyssa Sobecki in Ashburn, supports the community by providing a wide range of safe, delicious meals for people with many types of food allergies; and
WHEREAS, for much of her life, Alyssa Sobecki dealt with severe allergic reactions to multiple foods, and after the birth of her first child, she made it her personal passion to create the healthiest possible diet for her family by serving only homemade food; and
WHEREAS, surprised to learn that Loudoun County did not have an establishment that met her dietary needs, Alyssa Sobecki changed careers and opened The Difference Baker as a gluten-free, peanut-free café and bakery; and
WHEREAS, responding to requests from fellow community members, The Difference Baker offers dairy-free items and has also adapted its menu to be free of tree nuts, soy, seafood and shellfish products, corn, and food dyes; and
WHEREAS, The Difference Baker primarily operates as a takeout restaurant, focusing on sandwiches, wraps, and baked goods, but also offers frozen meals for patrons to enjoy at home; and
WHEREAS, Alyssa Sobecki hired Lauren Katz, the 2015 champion of the nationally televised Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition, as head pastry chef and Van Trainor, who has developed many innovative recipes for bread and pretzel doughs, as head baker; and
WHEREAS, The Difference Baker partnered with Roots to Rise, a locally owned juice company, making the location the first certified gluten-free shared kitchen in the country; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Difference Baker, an outstanding small business in Ashburn, on the occasion of its opening in 2019; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Alyssa Sobecki, founder of The Difference Baker, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the restaurant's contributions to supporting healthy lifestyles in Loudoun County.
