When Giovanna Cimino opened Cosa Duci bakery in 2007, she wanted to accomplish two things: bring authentic Italian baked goods to Boca Raton and help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
That's a pretty large goal for a small bakery, but Cimino had a strong motive -- her son, Giuseppe had the disease and she wanted to do everything she could to help him and others afflicted with MS. Hence, Cimino pledged to donate a portion of all profits from Cosa Duci to foundations that seek out a cure and provide support to people with MS.
On Monday, June 17, Cimino's daughter Silvia Fausto, who operates the family-run bakery, will accept a check for $75,000 at Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton as part of the company's Local Producer Loan Program.
The program provides low-interest loans to local companies seeking to expand their businesses. The loans range from $1,000 to $100,000 and the companies must meet Whole Foods Markets' quality standards and provide a solid business plan. Cosa Duci, which currently supplies cookies, biscotti, and specialty cakes to Whole Foods locations throughout Florida, will use the loan to purchase equipment that will allow the bakery to ramp up their product line. The five-year loan has a fixed interest rate of five percent.
Cosa Duci's Fausto said that the loan "will allow us to grow further and make our relationship [with Whole Foods] even stronger. We are committed to producing top quality products and great customer service."
To find out more about the Local Producer Loan program, or apply for a loan, click here.
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