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 autism while delivering high-quality, nut-free baked goods to the community and area businesses. What began as a mother and son diagnosed with high-functioning autism baking together has evolved into a mission-driven venture. The name reflects both autism awareness (blue) and the great blue heron, a symbol of resilience and independence that embodies the values guiding the business. Bake Blue’s products include cookies, cakes and seasonal offerings. Plans are underway to open a storefront in early 2026 to expand both product offerings and the ability to employ and train individuals with disabilities. The bakery’s goal is to build a workplace where abilities are matched with meaningful roles and to provide a gathering place for families and individuals experiencing autism.