Originally from sunny California, the Schulfer family is really digging in as Loveland newcomers. Brandon, Monique and their sons, Urijah (8) and Bentley (5) are engaging with Loveland through people, food, and the outdoors. We sat down with Brandon to learn about his family’s passions and what they’ve brought with them their new home in Loveland.
How did you pick Loveland?
We moved from Long Beach in August 2018, and really felt that God led us to Northern Colorado. I had an opportunity in a new position here with the company I’ve been with for 16 years – Ally Financial. Monique’s sisters live here – one in Fort Collins and one in Loveland, and we decided to try Loveland. Since then, we’ve had lots of opportunity to get out and explore through hiking, fishing, stand up paddle boarding.
How have you been getting connected with Loveland?
We are starting to build community with relationships through Rez Church, and just being out and meeting people. We picked Rez since the Rialto location was close to home. And we wanted to be active and involved in downtown community of Loveland. We love how active Rez is in making an impact with the homeless community.
We homeschool both boys, and that is an integral part of what we do. My wife does a great job of raising, educating and nurturing them and we’re looking forward to getting active in developing more resources in that [homeschool] space.
We hear that you are really passionate about local food…
We’ve been inspired and motivated to be health conscious by several things. Of course, optimal health, but also some health issues Monique has dealt with. To see where she’s at now through diet, fermented food, a probiotic path; it miraculous what can happen through diet.
Our family business makes sourdough bread, sauerkraut, and kombucha – we’re the Salty Soul Crew(@saltysoulcrew). We hope to do some classes and eventually sell our foods. For us, the whole family is involved. The boys fold bread and learn about active yeast – it is a labor of love, for sure.
Which Loveland food businesses have you discovered so far?
We just signed up for Plenty Heirloom FarmsCSA. Ran by Sarah & Jeremiah Sailer, who were recognized 2014 Homesteaders of the Yearby Mother Earth News, they grow food on 6 separate lots in Loveland’s Historic Downtown neighborhood. And, Sarah bakes and sells sourdough bread too, which is available at Loveland Aleworks(ed note: winter and spring only).
We also adore Dark Heart Coffee. Their coffee is amazing, and they source local foods made with great, clean ingredients.
What does Loveland need?
We’ve love to see a commercial kitchen. Under the Cottage Foods Act, we can bake our bread, but since sauerkraut and kombucha are perishable, we’d need access to a commercial kitchen to make and sell them.
The Live Loveland mission is to celebrate, engage and unify the community. Which do you think we need most and how can we manifest it?
Monique: I think engage is most important because if you don’t engage with people, there’s no growth. I started going downtown and introducing myself to businesses that I felt I could connect with. For example, Rooster Browns, Pilar, Vintage Willows, Dark Heart. My friends who have lived here for 15 years don’t always know what’s new, especially downtown – it has been fun to share our discoveries with them.
By Jessica Moskwa Hawkins
May 27, 2019
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