As we wrap up January, we're excited to introduce Sarah Pyle, our Bakery Manager, and the person helping guide so much of the care, craft, and collaboration that happens in the Co-op Bakery each day.

Sarah has been with the Co-op for two years, and what she loves most about her role isn't just baking — it's the process of creating alongside her team.

"My favorite part of my job is when the team collaborates in bringing a new recipe to life," she says. "The way we bounce ideas off each other — everyone is so passionate about the craft of baking."

That collaborative spirit shows up across the bakery, where recipes often go through many iterations before they feel just right. It’s hands-on, thoughtful work, done by a team of skilled bakers who take pride in what they make — and enjoy doing it together.

One of Sarah’s favorite projects is creating seasonal hand pies. From Blackberry Apple to Cranberry Pear, each one reflects what’s fresh and available, with Roasted Strawberry holding a special place as her personal favorite. A new seasonal hand pie is always just around the corner.

Where Her Love of Baking Began

Sarah’s connection to baking began at home, where food was central to everyday life. She grew up surrounded by a large garden, fruit trees, and blackberry bushes, and when the fruit reached peak ripeness, the entire family took part — harvesting, juicing, canning, and baking together.

“Preparing foods and enjoying meals together were really the foundation of my upbringing,” she shares.

Her mother, an excellent baker, taught her simply by example. That early exposure stayed with Sarah and later expanded when she traveled abroad to study French in Paris. There, a pastry-chef roommate introduced her to the world of patisseries, walking her through the fine details behind what Sarah describes as “exquisite works of art.”

Those experiences helped shape how Sarah approaches food today. She finds joy in the simplicity of domestic life — planning meals, sourcing the best ingredients, cooking for family and friends, and sitting down together at the table. Baking, for her, isn’t just a profession; it’s a continuation of a lifelong pursuit she’s been drawn to since childhood.

Her favorite ingredient to work with is Flathead cherries, which she calls “a labor of love.” At home, she bakes with Cherrycello, a Montana-made cherry liqueur, and makes a braided loaf filled with Cherrycello-soaked cherries each Christmas — a tradition rooted in patience and care.

Why the Co-op Feels Like Home

Working at the Co-op connects closely to Sarah’s values. She grew up visiting her grandmother’s local food co-op and feels that same sense of warmth and purpose here in Bozeman. Those early experiences stayed with her, and they’re part of why working in a food co-op feels especially meaningful today.

“Knowing we are helping local economies and nourishing people at the same time is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I’m surrounded by friendly, healthy, vibrant people all day long.”

Outside of work, Sarah’s life continues to revolve around food, family, and community. She’s married to a professional chef, has a 9-year-old son who’s learning his way around the kitchen, and two grown daughters who return home for holidays filled with shared meals, game nights, and skiing together. She loves reading, visiting farmers’ markets in the summer, and skiing in the winter and summer!

Before we wrap up, Sarah shares one simple baking truth she lives by:

“Good food comes from good ingredients — so shop at the Co-op!”

We’re grateful for Sarah’s leadership, her care for the craft, and the way she helps make the Co-op bakery a place where good food and good people come together every day. Thank you Sarah for making the Co-op a better place!