New Sanders County market offers fresh produce

Residents of Sanders County and the Plains area now have a new destination for fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods and sweet treats.

A newly built bakery and farm market located on Upper Lynch Creek Road in Plains recently opened its doors to the public. The facility also houses Scenic Valley Windows and Doors, owned and operated by Orvin Bontrager and his family.

The Bontragers recently relocated from Indiana to be closer to family members in Montana.

“I was a baker in Indiana for 15 years,” Bontrager said. “We wanted to have a home farm market, and we wanted to have a few kitchen items to make things like a really good doughnut and dairy products.”

Bontrager believes quality food brings people together.

“I have a good doughnut,” he added with a smile. “Everybody needs food for the soul.”

The market offers a wide variety of products, including coffee- and maple-flavored milk, farm-fresh yogurt, homemade root beer and Moose Patties, a peanut butter and marshmallow confection. Fresh produce and other locally produced items are also available.

The grand opening was held July 11 and gave visitors the opportunity to sample a variety of products. As a special promotion, the first 50 customers received a certificate for a free half-dozen doughnuts each week for one year.

The Bontrager family's vision is to grow and produce high-quality food and flowers for customers who value and support sustainable family farming.

Their new business adds another locally owned option for fresh food and specialty products in Sanders County while bringing a taste of Indiana baking tradition to Plains.

    The Moose Pattie and root beer from the newly opened Scenic Valley Farm Market in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)