OUr Story
A Very Fudgy Origin Story
The year was 1982. Ronald Reagan was beginning his second year in office. On TV, a new show called Cheers served up laughs in a bar where everyone knew your name. In the theatres, a little fellow named E.T. managed to phone home.
But back in the economically troubled neighborhoods of the Bronx and nearby Yonkers, NY, our founder Bernie Glassman, looked around and saw people struggling to put a roof over their children’s heads. People who desperately wanted to work and had a lot to offer, but had somehow been deemed unemployable by companies large and small alike.
The Zen of brownies
Bernie was a former aeronautical engineer who’d come to believe that all life is sacred, every person is equally valuable, and we are all connected. He became a Zen Buddhist and established a community of like-minded people to work and study together. Wanting to apply his Zen principles to social action, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to creating job opportunities for those who faced employment barriers in his community.
He and his students started a bakery in what had been known as the “Greyston” mansion in Riverdale, NY, giving us our name. It was a bold move because they had no baking experience. But Bernie had a vision, deep commitment, and a lot of faith. Even bolder, he developed our Open Hiring® policy, starting with invitations to homeless people and extending job offers without resumes, interviews, or background checks.
Initially, we sold gourmet cakes and tarts to upscale retailers in New York City. Soon we moved to an old pasta manufacturing facility in Yonkers, just around the corner from our current location.
A fateful meeting with a guy named Ben
A few years later, in 1987, Bernie met a guy named Ben Cohen at a summit of socially conscious businesses held in Colorado. Ben had recently co-founded an ice creamery in Vermont. You probably know him better as the “Ben” in Ben & Jerry’s®. The two men shared a vision of using business to improve the world and they agreed to create something special together.
And so, Ben & Jerry’s iconic Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream was born. Before long, Greyston bakery had shifted its focus from making high end cakes to baking the awesomely fudgy brownies we’re known for today.
B Corp certification
In 2008, we proudly became a B Corp, certified by the non-profit B Lab as an organization that significantly benefits people, communities, and the planet. Since 2013, we’ve been rated as “Best for the World,” an honor the B Lab bestows on only the top 5% of all B Corps.
Learn about our B Corp certification ->Eat brownies. Change lives
Bernie passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on in every delicious brownie, blondie, and cookie we bake. That’s true whether it’s destined for a pint of ice cream, sold in a grocery store, enjoyed at your favorite restaurant, or shipped direct from our bakery to you.
We’re proud of the quality and taste baked into every treat we create. But, as we like to say, “we don’t employ people to bake brownies; we bake brownies to employ people.” Each of us carries Bernie’s vision with us to this day.
So, when you eat a Greyston Brownie, you’re supporting a movement. You’re not just enjoying an awesomely delicious fudgy treat; you’re helping someone build a better life.
Greyston Bakery
Awesomely Good
Our Awesomely Good Brownies & Blondies
Our indulgent, scrumptious Greyston Bakery brownies & blondies are handcrafted with love and care using the finest ingredients with no preservatives. Our vegan varieties are made without eggs or butter, and all our varieties are kosher. Whether you love chocolate brownies, prefer blondies or a mix of both – we offer single flavor and variety bundles so you can get exactly what you want – whether it's a gift or for yourself!
Our world-class commercial bakery produces brownies and blondies for sale through our website (for everyday or corporate gifting), select retailers, and foodservice/restaurants. We also create baked inclusions for some of the best-loved ice cream brands. There are so many ways to enjoy Greyston Bakery products!
Our holiday and everyday gifts – delicious baked goods with personalized messages and festive packaging – send just the right message. With every gift you send, you are truly changing lives for the better.
