At Minnetonka High School we have nautically themed areas, Anchor Time, a generally advanced curriculum, and… a love for banana bread. High quality, packed with chocolate, and available before school and during lunch, many have a slice as a part of their daily routine. Even if you are not a frequent consumer, you are likely very aware of its presence around the school.

If you pay attention to its wrapping, you may notice the label “Breadsmith.” Breadsmith is a national chain, serving a variety of “artisan” breads. Their products are distributed across Minnesota via three dedicated locations. They started in Milwaukee as a small local bakery, but expanded nationally and often serve restaurants, catering companies, and now, a high school. The only product they cater to us is in fact their “Banana Chocolate Chip Dessert Bread.”

Darryl from The Dock says MHS puts in an order for banana bread from Breadsmith every day, receiving 40-50 loads consisting of about 50 loaves (or 400 slices) of banana bread every day. This bread goes to serve the quarter of the students who get banana bread each day. Easton Spehar, ‘26, described MHS’ pillars as “academics, excellence, and banana bread.” Logan Harrington, ‘27, says he sees banana bread at least twice a day, and while people “don’t talk about it,” the entire student population would all be “a little bit more hungry” without it.

Hopefully the next time you unwrap a piece of banana bread, you think about the journey it went on, from bakery, to loaf, to shipping, to slice, and to you, from the familiar faces of the cafeteria.