Media release: VCC’s new Downtown bakeshop receives one-million-dollar donation

Vancouver Community College (VCC) officially opened the doors to the VCC Seiffert Market + Bakeshop on June 13, 2023, made possible by a generous donation by the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises.

The new downtown bakeshop, located at the VCC Downtown campus on the corner of Dunsmuir and Hamilton St., is now open to the public and offers a variety of freshly baked goods, local coffee, prepared food, and market items.

The VCC Seiffert Market + Bakeshop has been a community institution serving student-made pastries and baked goods for decades. The Seiffert family's donation has enabled the college to modernize the bakeshop with state-of-the-art equipment and relocate to a street level location, accessible to office workers and community members. The VCC Seiffert Market + Bakeshop will offer a mix of commercial items as well as items created in VCC’s Baking & Pastry Arts, and Culinary Arts programs.

Quote from Ken Cretney, Chair of the VCC Foundation

The Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises have been long and valued supporters of the VCC Foundation. For over 32 years they have provided financial support to VCC students through scholarships, donations for kitchen renovations, and equipment and supplies to enhance the student’s learning environment.

This gift is the largest donation received by the Foundation in its history and has allowed the College to build and open the VCC Seiffert Market + Bakeshop. We are truly grateful for our longstanding partnership and for this landmark gift that has enabled us to serve our community, while supporting our students’ learning experience.

Quote from Seiffert Family and Snow Cap Enterprises

“On behalf of the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises, we firmly believe that investing in education is an investment in future generations. As a family-owned, B.C.-based business, we are committed to successful partnerships. Our collaboration with Vancouver Community College exemplifies this value and we are proud to work with the college to establish the new VCC Seiffert Market and Bakeshop.”

Quote from Ajay Patel, VCC President & CEO

“Seiffert’s Bakeshop is a place where community members can indulge in the finest baked goods and pastry items at an affordable price. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Seiffert family and Snow Cap Enterprises for their generous donation, which has helped make our vision for creating a neighbourhood bakeshop to showcase student and alumni talent, a reality.”

The bakeshop opening was celebrated with a blessing from Elder John, a plaque presentation and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Seiffert family, VCC Foundation Board Chair Ken Cretney and members Barb Steele, and Alister Matheison, VCC President and CEO Ajay Patel, and VCC Baking and Pastry Arts instructors and students.

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the VCC Seiffert Market + Bakeshop is a new addition to the city's vibrant food scene. For more information on the bakeshop and its products, please visit vcc.ca/bakeshop.

For media inquiries:
Danielle Libonati
Manager, Marketing and Brand, VCC
dlibonati@vcc.ca 604.871.7531

Visit VCC's Flickr for photos of the event here.