October 27, 2025
Lagniappe BUSINESS
Mother/son team build bakery business to help adults with disabilities BY TAMMY LEYTHAM
Reed (left) and Debra Pennington
What began as a mother and son baking together has evolved into a mission-driven venture.
Bake Blue, founded by Debra and Reed Pennington, who is diagnosed with high-functioning autism, of Spanish Fort, is a new bakery concept with a mission to provide meaningful employment opportunities for adults with autism while delivering high-quality, nut-free baked goods.
The name Bake Blue reflects both autism awareness — blue is the color associated with the cause — and the great blue heron, a symbol of resilience and independence.
“Our vision goes far beyond the kitchen,” Debra said. “This is about showing what is possible when you give people a chance to use their gifts. Adults with disabilities have so much talent to offer, and we want to build a place where they can grow, contribute and belong.”
Bake Blue now sells its homemade, nut-free baked goods online but plans to open its first storefront in 2026.
According to the Autism Society and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- More than 5.4 million adults in the U.S. live with autism.
- Adults with autism face employment barriers, with estimates of 40 to 85 percent unemployment or underemployment.
- Among adults with autism in their early 20s, about 58 percent have held a paying job after high school.
- Those employed are more likely to work part time in low-wage roles with average earnings around $9 per hour.
October 24, 2025
FOX10 News
https://www.fox10tv.com › bake-blue…
Bake Blue Bakery creating opportunity for adults with disabilities
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Bay Business News
https://baybusinessnews.com › retail-grocery › bakery…
Bakery Launches With Mission To Employ Adults With Autism
Bake Blue, founded by Debra and Reed Pennington, is a new Spanish Fort bakery concept with a purpose of providing meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities…