Pelican Joe’s Donuts
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About Us
The evolution of Pelican Joe’s Donuts!
Mini doughnuts made from soybeans have been a tasty and delicious choice of
Virginia State Fair visitors for more than three decades. For many years the
Virginia Soybean Association operated a single, small mini doughnut maker on
their display table located in the hall with the Virginia state agencies. Operation
of the machine was sporadic as it was limited to those volunteers who were
trained on its functionality and in the complexity of mixing the dough and
making the doughnuts.
Eventually, and as the popularity and demand for these tasty little morsels
increased, a private vendor assumed operation and distribution of the mini
donuts. The small operation of a single machine on top of a display table grew
over the years as this vendor expanded the business. They added a larger and
faster machine, more staff and greatly increased production and distribution of
the donuts.
In 2004, as the mini doughnut vendor had decided to cease operation, Pelican
Joe's Donuts was born. For years we had gone to the State Fair of Virginia and
the mini doughnuts were the one food that we looked forward to throughout
the year. When we found out that our annual soybean doughnut tradition was
coming to an end, there was no other option but to buy the company's assets
and continue the tradition ourselves. With the support and assistance of our
family and close friends, we learned the process of making these delicious
treats and began operating Pelican Joe's Doughnuts.
Each year more than thirty family members and close friends come from all
across the United States to continue the tradition of providing these tasty and
uniquely delicious soy and wheat flour mini donuts. Over the past 18 years,
Pelican Joe's has expanded the product offerings to include plain, powdered
sugar and brown sugar cinnamon donuts. Donuts are also available with a rich
chocolate dipping sauce, in the cost-effective Pelican Joe's Bucket, or served
with strawberry sauce and whipped cream (basically a Strawberry shortcake
made from Pelican Joe’s Donuts). We have added multiple plain and flavored
coffee offerings and have the most cost-effective drink offerings at the Fair.
This is not a job to us, and we do not have a storefront. Pelican Joe's Donuts
operates once per year and only at the Virginia State Fair. Everyone involved in
Pelican Joe's has full-time jobs in other business and industry. We do this for
love of family, friends and tradition. Please stop by just to say "Hello". Our
families have grown and changed together over the years. We really appreciate
your business, continued support and friendship and cannot thank you
enough.