Bake & Take
Bake n Take is a small-scale enterprise operated by four women—Anila, Reshma, Sandhya, and Haritha—on the outskirts of Mananthavadi town in Wayanad district, Kerala. All four women hail from Kollangodu village, where their current production unit is based. While their present operations are rooted in the village, the women aspire to expand into a storefront and production facility located closer to the highway that runs through the town, allowing for better access and visibility. Bake n Take was established through a collaborative initiative between the Keystone Foundation, which provided livelihood grants, and Kudumbashree, a well-known network of women’s self-help groups in Kerala. The project received vital support from Keystone’s Enterprise Hub, which offered infrastructure and continued guidance. This assistance played a crucial role in enabling the women to build a sustainable source of income.
Products and Daily Operations
The enterprise specializes in traditional snacks made from deep-fried rice and gram flour, catering to the local palate. Anila, Reshma, Sandhya, and Haritha are self-taught bakers who enjoy experimenting with recipes and expanding their range of offerings. They work long hours every day to meet the growing market demand. Recently, they have also ventured into the catering business, which has significantly supplemented their income and broadened their customer base.
Scale of Production and Market Challenges
Currently, Bake n Take produces nine different types of fried snacks. Their weekly production ranges from five to ten kilograms per snack type, with quantities tailored precisely to match the needs of their retail partners. Over time, the women have built strong working relationships with twenty shops in the area and have become adept at predicting the specific stock requirements of each retailer.
Despite their efficiency, Bake n Take faces stiff competition from other producers who are capable of manufacturing ten times the quantity at lower prices. However, the women remain committed to ensuring that all their products are fresh and free from artificial additives or food coloring. This commitment to quality often puts them at a disadvantage when competing against visually attractive, mass-produced alternatives, especially in larger markets like Mananthavadi town.
Community Integration and Local Benefit Sharing
Bake n Take is deeply rooted in the community of Kollangodu, and this integration plays a vital role in the enterprise’s resilience and sustainability. The women operate with the steady support of their neighbors and families, drawing strength and encouragement from these close ties. Even though profits have been minimal during their first year of operation, they remain committed to the business and to each other.
The enterprise follows a community-centered model that ensures mutual benefit. Raw materials such as jackfruit, banana, and tapioca are sourced locally whenever possible. By prioritizing purchases from their neighbors, the women help circulate economic benefits within the village. They only turn to the larger market in the nearby bazaar when local supplies are exhausted.
Bake n Take also maintains a deliberate agreement with local shopkeepers not to sell directly to individual households. This strategy ensures that they do not compete with or undercut their retail partners, allowing for a stable and cooperative relationship with nearby businesses. Additionally, they consciously choose to make products that differ from what households typically prepare, ensuring that their offerings fill a unique space in the market without competing with home-cooked alternatives.
The goodwill they have built within the community has proven invaluable, especially as they expand into catering and manage the logistical challenges of a small-scale rural enterprise. This reciprocal relationship between the women and their community is a cornerstone of Bake n Take’s success and sustainability.
Expansion and Catering Services
With ongoing support from their families, the local community, and financial aid from the Chapple Foundation through revolving grants, the women have gradually expanded their operations. The enterprise now regularly receives catering orders for community events and celebrations. Even with friends temporarily hired to help, the team is able to cater for groups of 100 to 150 people at a time. These orders frequently result in repeat business, a testament to the consistent quality and reliability of their work. Often, the hourly bus that passes through Kollangodu village serves as their only means of transporting baked goods and custom orders to their customers.
Project Benefits and Network Collaborations
Support from Keystone and its partners has resulted in several tangible benefits for the women of Bake n Take. The provision of machinery has significantly reduced the physical strain of daily operations, improving both efficiency and health outcomes. Participation in regional exhibitions has also brought visibility to their products and introduced new opportunities. The women have gained a foothold in the local retail space through outlets like Bee Corner, which also showcases products from Aadhimalai and Thalir.
As part of this growing network, Bake n Take has begun resource-sharing efforts with other small enterprises. Notably, they have developed a partnership with Thalir to source spice mixes, adding consistency and flavor to their offerings. Interventions in branding, such as label redesign and product presentation, have helped differentiate their goods in a saturated market. These branding efforts have allowed the women to create a modest but steady livelihood through local sales.
Challenges and Needs
Bake n Take is steadily consolidating its position in the local market. With support for branding, retail engagement, and product refinement, the enterprise is navigating its early challenges effectively. However, the team continues to face structural limitations, including high local competition, limited transportation infrastructure, and the constraints of small-scale production. Continued support—financial, infrastructural, and strategic—will be essential to enable the women of Bake n Take to grow beyond their current limits and fulfill their vision of a more accessible and expanded operation.