Sharon and her daughter Sue Shepard do not appear to have a lot in common when you first meet them. Sharon is extremely outgoing while Sue is a little more reserved and laid back. Once you get to know them you realize that the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree. They both share a passion for baking and helping people that has suited them quite well in establishing customer satisfaction and loyalty at “Shepard’s Pie on The Green.”

The baking part of it shouldn’t surprise anyone once you realize a little more about their family history. They are direct descendants of Charles and Henrietta Fleischmann. Yes, the Charles Fleischmann who revolutionized baking in the late 1860s by creating America’s first commercially produced yeast, which made it possible for mass production and consumption of bread.

Charles and his sons were able to convince James Gaff, a wealthy American businessman, to back them financially in order to get started. They opened a yeast plant in Cincinnati, Ohio and soon produced and patented a compressed yeast cake. In 1876 the Fleischmann brother introduced their new yeast at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and its 10 million in attendance. By week’s end the Fleischmanns had made their compressed yeast cake and their company a household name. Shortly after the convention, business began to flourish.

With their fame came tremendous fortune. The Fleischmann Yeast Co. quickly became the world’s leading producer of yeast and second leading producer of vinegar after being founded in 1868. They were also the first to commercially produce gin in America. At its peak the Fleischmann Company had 12 plants and 1,000 agencies with “yeast men” servicing over 30,000 bakers and 225,000 grocers.

Although the Fleischmann family attained enormous wealth, their history of generosity is just as impressive. For example, after taking care of his immediate family and close confidants, in his will Max Fleischmann (Sharon’s great uncle) donated over $192 million to the Santa Barbara and Max C. Fleischmann foundations after his wife Sarah passed away in 1960. The foundation was finally liquidated in 1980 with its main benefactor being the University of Nevada where Max had spent the latter part of his life.

Bette Fleischmann married Christian Holmes, her father’s doctor. He only added more fame to the family by inventing the tool that removes tonsils; appropriately named the “guillotine.” Dr. Christian Holmes was very generous, as well, helping to start hospitals in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

The Shepard family has continued the Fleischmann family legacy of generosity. Last year they hosted an egg dying day at Easter; Sue assisted a local Girl Scout troop in learning to frost and decorate cakes; and there have been countless times when people have been down on their luck through the years whom the Shepards have fed for what they could pay. Most recently, when one of their employees, Dyann Dundulis passed away tragically in a car accident, the Shepards hosted a memorial service in her honor, which was attended by 50–75 locals to celebrate her life. Refreshments and a home-cooked meal were offered to all in attendance. They also took care of her obituary in the local paper. Sue is a big supporter of the Humane Society, Quechee Library, and Mid-Vermont Christian School, as well.

“It is the most rewarding experience to have people crave the food that we have baked. We are not trained as bakers…so I lovingly say baking is in our blood,” says Sharon. “Unfortunately we do not have the immense wealth that my ancestors had…but we try to do our part to give back to the community as best we can.”

Perhaps there is a great lesson to be learned by their story. Is it possible that the modest contributions of many could somehow equal the great contributions of a few? I for one would like to think so.