No Monkey Business

"I love feeding people." - Laurie Lynch, Lollipop Tree

In 1981, Lollipop Tree was born on Laurie Lynch’s kitchen stove.  With the help of her mother and grandmother, Laurie prepared a family recipe of pepper jelly using locally grown vegetables.  Soon her homemade pepper jelly was being sold in farm stands and specialty stores throughout New England. Since that time, Laurie and her husband, Bob, have grown the company from their kitchen stove and garage into an enterprise that includes a retail store, test kitchen, production facility and several warehouses.

Lollipop Tree in Portsmouth, NH

Located in Portsmouth, N.H., Lollipop Tree has become a gourmet food industry leader, setting the standard for, as they say, "good, simple food." Insisting on all-natural and locally produced (when available) ingredients, the Lynches’ values and commitment to their customers have remained consistent throughout the history of the company.  Now, beyond that commitment to their customers, is a newer commitment to help stamp out hunger locally and globally…

In 2004, Lollipop Tree launched a line of Monkey Bread mix, earmarking a portion of the proceeds to support an endowment at Heifer Foundation. Established by the Lynches to honor local legend Les Barden (see sidebar), funds from the Les Barden Endowment will be used to continue Heifer’s work with new farmers in the northeastern United States and abroad.

Laurie and Bob Lynch

"If we don’t preserve the knowledge and skills of people like Les for the next generation, there won’t be any small sustainable farmers in the future," says Bob Lynch. "We have to reach out to the next generation in order to encourage people to return to small farms. It’s important to know where your food is produced. It’s also important to pass on the skills and values that small farmers have."

A batch of Monkeybread

The bread mix has proven extremely popular and the Heifer connection has resonated with customers, say the Lynches. Many have found it makes a unique gift that gives in multiple ways.

Laurie Lynch loves feeding people. Now, through Heifer Foundation, she’s helping to feed people around the world.           

Bob Lynch with friend, Les Barden

For more information, or to order your own Monkey Bread, go to www.lollipoptree.com.

BACK