POCATELLO — In a world filled with mass-produced grocery store products, Harper's Homemade has worked to stand out.

Founded in Pocatello in 2001 by Jeff Harper, the company set out with a straightforward goal — to create fresh, locally baked bread made with high-quality ingredients and without the heavy processing that many commercial brands rely on.

More than two decades later, the company has grown far beyond Southeast Idaho but still holds to the same values it was built on.

"Harper's Homemade was founded with a simple goal — to make bread that actually tastes homemade," said Zack Jamieson, general manager at Harper's Homemade. "We wanted bread made with quality ingredients, baked locally and rooted in the kind of taste people remember from their own kitchens."

One defining trait of Harper's Homemade bread is its focus on freshness. Unlike many grocery store breads made with preservatives that keep them on shelves for weeks, Harper's bread has a shelf life of about 10 days because of its simpler ingredients. "To us, 'homemade' means bread that's baked locally in Idaho, made with care and tastes like something you'd pull out of your own oven," Jamieson said. "It gives people that homemade taste without the time and effort it takes to make it themselves."

Harper's also prides itself on being owned and operated by local Idaho farmers, which keeps the company closely tied to the communities it serves. This local connection has become a major part of the company's identity as it continues to grow. Recently, Harper's expanded into the Boise and Treasure Valley areas and into the Salt Lake area through Sam's Club. Even with that growth, company leaders say they remain committed to their Pocatello roots. "We're really excited about the future of Harper's," Jamieson said. "As we continue to expand, we're committed to staying rooted in Pocatello and building on the support that has made our growth possible."

Harper's has also recently formed a notable partnership with Idaho State University Athletics. In March, ISU Athletics announced an expanded agreement with Harper's Homemade to provide Bengal student-athletes with nutritious food. Jamieson said ISU sports dietitian Natalie Christensen originally approached Harper's about helping fuel student-athletes with better food options, an idea that naturally aligned with the company's mission of supporting health through quality ingredients.

"Supporting local athletes and the Pocatello community is a big part of who we are," Jamieson said. "We love being able to contribute to their success while also showing that choosing local products can make a real difference."

Harper's Homemade, located at 1105 S. Second Ave. credits customer loyalty in Pocatello for helping the business grow over the years.

"We see our bread as a reflection of this community," Jamieson said, "and we're proud to share a piece of it with families beyond Southeast Idaho." As Harper's continues to grow, the company says its focus will remain on fresh bread, local values and supporting the communities that helped build it.