Mom and daughter duo bring fresh baking to the roadside

By Haylee Winger

Just two kilometers southeast of Mayerthorpe, nestled off Highway 43 and Range Road 83, sits a
charming roadside stand offering homemade baking with a heartfelt touch. What began as a
small setup in Whitecourt has grown into a beloved local treasure, thanks to the hard work and
passion of Katrina Shorter and her young daughter, Madison.
“I’m a young mom who enjoys country living,” Katrina says. “Ever since I experienced my first
farm stand on a trip to B.C. years ago, I knew I wanted to have my own.”
Katrina started her first stand in Whitecourt, but after moving her family to Mayerthorpe, she
saw an opportunity to grow the idea into something bigger.
“Our stand started off small. When we moved from Whitecourt to Mayerthorpe, we decided to
make it bigger and better,” she explains. “We really love the joy it brings to our community and
surrounding areas.”
Now, Katrina and her eight-year-old daughter Madison work together to fill the stand with
freshly baked goods that reflect both their love of baking and their connection to the land.
“My daughter and I enjoy baking together and thought we’d love to share that with the
community,” she says.
Their offerings include homemade pies, cheesecakes, cookies, dessert cups, and candy or
caramel apples — and over time, some clear favorites have emerged.
“All of our pies and cheesecakes are our best sellers,” Katrina shares.
Many of the recipes come from years of experience and inspiration from friends and family,
while others are Katrina’s own creations, developed through trial, error, and a passion for trying
new things.
The stand operates entirely on the honour system, and Katrina bakes daily to keep the stock fresh
and rotating.
Customers can pay with cash or e-transfer, and the stand is open 24/7, making it easy for anyone
to stop by and enjoy a homemade treat.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve had nothing but amazing feedback and support from the community and even
surrounding communities,” Katrina says. “We’ve had people from all over visit the stand — and
without that, we wouldn’t be able to continue to run daily like we do.”

And for Katrina, the most meaningful part isn’t just the baking — it’s sharing the experience
with Madison and seeing the impact it has on others.
The stand also features seasonal treats and holiday-themed specials throughout the year.
“People can look forward to hot chocolate to-go cups, pies, cookies, and soup during the fall and
winter.”
She’s always open to new ideas and expanding the stand’s offerings.
“I’m always looking to try new things and finding new ways to expand.”
In addition to the ready-made goods, the stand also accepts custom orders and pre-orders.
Located 2 km southeast of Mayerthorpe, Alberta, off Highway 43 and Range Road 83, the stand
is clearly marked with signs and sits at the first driveway on the left-hand side.
Before wrapping up, Katrina adds a heartfelt thank-you to the many people who’ve helped her
dream flourish.
“We’d love to say a huge thank you to everyone for the love and support we get from you all,”
she says. “Without all of you amazing and honest people, our stand would not be able to run
daily.”