Bakery manufacturer and ingredient supplier Dawn Foods has announced the winners of its annual Sweetest Bakery in America and Sweetest Bakery in Canada contests. Nearly 900 bakeries in the U.S. and 300 in Canada participated in the competition.

“Dawn Foods is inspired by all the dedicated, hardworking bakeries that took part in our second annual Sweetest Bakery competition and we congratulate the outstanding bakeries that won this year’s national, state and regional titles,” said Angie Goldberg, chief marketing officer for Dawn Foods. “As part of our longstanding commitment to helping our customers grow their business, the goal of this friendly competition is to help boost sales, drive traffic in-store and make our customers’ bakeries top of mind in their local communities.”  

In the second year of the competition, Dawn Foods invited communities across the U.S. and Canada to cast their vote (from March 1 through July 31 in the U.S. and April 1 through July 31 in Canada) and help their favorite bakery win the title of Sweetest Bakery in America and Canada. Dawn received more than 2.1 million votes in-store and online throughout the contest, three times more than last year. Participating customers also saw double-digit increases in sales growth throughout the contest.

2018 Sweetest Bakery in America Winner: Lochel’s Bakery

For the second year in a row, Lochel’s Bakery earned the title of Sweetest Bakery in America. The Hatboro, Pa., bakery is a third generation, family-owned bakery. Originally opened in south Philadelphia in 1942, Lochel’s has been serving Pennsylvania residents for over 75 years.

“As a small business, the outpouring of support and recognition we’ve received from our customers has been overwhelming – we’re absolutely speechless,” said Kathleen Lochel, owner of Lochel’s. “This contest has had a tremendous impact on our business and we’re incredibly appreciative to all those who came out to support us.”

Clayton Bakery of Clayton, N.C., was the second-place winner, while Sweet Crunch Bakery of Hyde Park, Vt., claimed third place.

2018 Sweetest Bakery in Canada Winner: Dooher’s Bakery

Dooher’s Bakery of Campbellford, Ontario, received the top spot as the 2018 Sweetest Bakery in Canada. Focused on creating and refining family recipes, the bakery has served the southern Ontario community for almost 70 years.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be named the Sweetest Bakery in Canada,” said Cory Dooher, owner of Dooher’s Bakery. “As a third-generation owner, I know my grandparents—who started Dooher’s in 1949—have been watching over us. We’re completely lost for words and can’t say enough to the community that supported us throughout this contest and to our amazing staff. We couldn’t have done this without them.”

Pontiac Home Bakery of Shawville, Quebec, took top honors in eastern Canada, and The Rolling Pin Bakery of Hope, B.C., was the top in western Canada.