A mysterious baker known as “The Sugar Bandit” is making waves in Great Falls, one batch of cookies at a time. The perpetrator of the so-called “sweetest crime in town” has residents buzzing as secret cookie deliveries appear across the city, turning an anonymous act of kindness into a fast-growing business with a playful twist.
Quentin Shores talked with The Sugar Bandit - watch the video:
What began as a fun way to share homemade treats with friends and neighbors has quickly captured the community’s attention.
The Sugar Bandit has become known for baking delicious cookies and leaving them in hidden spots for people to discover.
“The one that I have running right now started last Friday. It will end Friday at 10 a.m. I get to control when I start them, when they end, how many boxes I'm able to sell. That way the customers are satisfied,” the Sugar Bandit explained.
The current batch of cookies include:
- The OG Oreo Outlaw (Oreo)
- The Campfire Caper (S'more)
- The Chocolate Chip Heist (Basic CCC)
- The Butterscotch Break-In (PB Butterscotch)
- 2 Mystery Bandit Flavors
Cookie fans can place orders online by clicking here.
With the business growing, there are plans to introduce new menu items and more ways for people to connect and enjoy these sweet surprises. You can follow the Sugar Bandit on Facebook.
Enterprises such as this one operate as what are known as "cottage food" businesses in Montana. The Cottage Food Program is overseen by the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, and allows certain food items to be prepared in a home kitchen and sold to the general public.
Some key point from MT DPHHS:
1) Implement sanitary food preparation operations. Items need to be produced in a kitchen that is clean and has restrictions on eating, drinking, and using tobacco during packaging of cottage foods, and the access of household pets during production. Cottage food products must be sold directly to the consumer within the State of Montana.
2) Only market cottage foods on the approved food list. This includes:
a) Baked good products that may be cooked in an oven including:
- i) Loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, quick breads, and muffins
- ii) Cakes
- iii) Pastries or scones
- iv) Cookies or bars
- v) Crackers
- vi) Cereals, trail mixes or granola
b) Dried fruits
c) Standardized Jams, Jellies, Preserves and Fruit Butter
d) Dry Herbs, Seasonings, or Mixtures (dry soup, teas, spice seasonings)
e) Popcorn, popcorn balls, or cotton candy
f) Fudge, candies or confections that require a cook step and do not require refrigeration after cooking
g) Molded chocolate using commercial chocolate melts
3) Create compliant labels. Products must be labeled with basic information on the product including all ingredients and sub-ingredients, common allergens, and a statement to inform the public that it is produced in a home kitchen that does not fall under the regulations of a regular retail food facility.
4) Sell directly to consumers. A face-to-face transaction with the consumer is required. They may be delivered to the purchaser, sold at Farmers’ Markets, flea markets, craft bazaars, fairs, etc. Cottage food products cannot be sold to restaurants, distributors, wholesale or by e-mail or mail order.
