Great Mission. Even Better Food.
The Pioneer Bakery Cafe was built around inclusion: great food, meaningful training, and real-world opportunities for adults with disabilities through our partnership with Lafayette Industries and the StepUP program.
Real-world training in a real restaurant.
StepUP participants learn in an active café environment—building workplace skills, confidence, independence and experience that can help prepare them for competitive employment.
Our customers are part of that mission. Every breakfast, lunch meeting and hash bowl gives participants another opportunity to learn in a welcoming, real-world setting.
Our mission has been shared locally and nationally.
TODAY with Hoda & Jenna
Pioneer was featured nationally for its inclusive employment and workforce-training mission.
Watch the TODAY FeatureNine PBS — Living St. Louis
An inside look at Pioneer and StepUP, including how the café provides real-world training and experience.
Watch the PBS FeatureLafayette Industries & StepUP
StepUP is an employment-training program of Lafayette Industries. Pioneer serves as a hands-on restaurant training environment where participants can practice workplace skills with staff and guests.
Why it matters
For Pioneer, inclusion isn't a side program. It is part of the operating model and the guest experience. The goal is simple: create meaningful opportunities while serving food people genuinely want to come back for.