More than a year ago the curtain fell for the Antoon & Frans care bakery in Megen. The less than two thousand inhabitants of the historic fortified town of Megen found that very bad. So bad that a group of people, including Wim Vollenberg, decided to take over the bakery itself. “It’s more a hobby project,” says the driven entrepreneur. They do not get rich in Megen from baking bread. Because a small town like Megen is actually too small to keep a bakery running.
In the bakery, which is located in a stately historic building in the heart of Megen, nine people with intellectual disabilities work. The store has a nostalgic look. You imagine yourself back in time.
Because the bakery receives compensation for the people who work there, it is just profitable, Wim explains. “Eventually it has to be interesting. At the moment it is not yet, but the turnover is getting better and better. We also have to look more businesslike. Yes, the bakery, the energy and everything, that is very expensive.”
Wim has sometimes had sleepless nights of keeping the bakery: “Very often. But nevertheless it is my hobby. Every time I get to the store, then it is a party for me. I enjoy the clients and all the activities here. They are really happy with everything, I am very happy.”
Fortunately, the bakery has received a very large customer. Wim approached Boskalis contractor company, which will be busy with the dyke reinforcement around Megen in the coming years. That yields more than a hundred extra customers per working day.
In the bakery behind the store, clients are busy baking bread under supervision. Renske guides the people: “It’s just a lot of fun to do. The people who work here do need some guidance, but I like that: to make things together.”
Sabur is one of the people with disabilities. He thinks it’s great to work in the bakery: “I like to stand in the store and help the customers.” When asked what is the tastiest, he answers: “Everything is tasty!”
He proudly shows the delicacies of the bakery. Brabant sausage rolls should of course not be missing. He also enthusiastically shows the fresh chocolate cookies. “All fresh and made by hand.”
Furthermore, the currant balls and sugar bread sell well. Sarath from Megen is another staff member with a disability who works in the bakery. In the beginning he found it quite difficult, but in the meantime he has mastered the profession.
“I am an auxiliary baker,” he says, experiencing the bread to knead. His favorite is the fresh Waldkorn bread. He likes working in the bakery better than sitting at home all day. And so the bakery in Megen turns thanks to the use of people with disabilities. “And those people can always use the bakery something extra,” says Wim.
