The Wrap: KUB update, fire inspections, Carberry intersection options, and a new Mennonite takeout joint

A year after Chip and Pepper Foster excitedly announced their purchase of Winnipeg’s iconic KUB bakery brand, one brother says they’re learning the industry isn’t all they expected it to be.

Pepper Foster called the bread industry “a struggle” he didn’t expect, and pointed to high costs of ingredients and manpower, along with difficulties finding a building for the bakery in Winnipeg and competing with larger brands.

But some sources have told the Free Press there is more behind the trouble, alleging that during the past year, the Fosters have left a trail of late or unnpaid bills.

A recent report is recommending the City of Winnipeg cut back on inspections of low- and medium-hazard industrial sites and move those inspectors to multi-occupancy residential buildings and homeless encampments.

The places where people live have a statistically higher fire risk than the industrial buildings, so making the switch would help reduce deaths and injuries, writes Kevin Rollason.

Meanwhile, over half of the city’s rooming houses failed their fire inspections in 2022.

An independent consultant’s report released yesterday on the Trans-Canada Highway intersection where a crash killed 17 seniors recommended three revamps to make the crossing safer.

Reporter Katrina Clarke spoke to three road safety experts about the recommendations. They agreed any of the suggested changes would improve safety — with caveats.

As a chef, Josh Penner’s goal is to serve quality comfort food that offers an introduction to Mennonite cooking — a cuisine that has been largely absent from Winnipeg’s restaurant scene despite Manitoba’s large Mennonite population.

Faspa is a new takeout and catering kitchen situated in a former florist shop on the northern edge of Wolseley.

“I don’t think Mennonite food gets enough props. It doesn’t have to be boiled pork bone and potatoes, which is maybe what a lot of people think it is,” says Penner.