Pie Bird Pies’ signature pride pies have raised more than $7,000 for local LGBTQ nonprofits.
Writer: Karla Walsh
Kristen Daily and Andrea Piekarczyk’s relationship began at work, bonding over a curry-spiced pastry Piekarczyk brought to the office. That led to cooking, baking and sharing meals together. And in 2019, they married. Today, that baking hobby is a business, Pie Bird Pies, which serves up seasonal pies made by hand at home.
Daily is the full-time baker, while Piekarczyk is the creative force behind their signature intricate crusts, like flower-adorned toppings or signature lattice pride pies. Inspired by the pride flag, “the rainbow pies were born of a desire to give back to organizations that are important to us, while creating something beautiful and delicious,” Piekarczyk says. They first baked up a batch during summer 2020 as a fundraiser for One Iowa’s gala and silent auction, and since then their pride pastries have raised more than $7,000 for local LGBTQ nonprofits.
“Pie is love, and pie is meant to be shared. Pride pies take that to a whole new level,” Daily says. “They are a clear way for us to be out and proud as queer business owners. We have met so many parents of LGBTQ kids who get pie to celebrate their kids and their identities. As a queer woman who grew up in a small town that wasn’t accepting of gay folks, I didn’t come out until my mid-20s. It makes me indescribably happy to see LGBTQ kids being celebrated and embraced by their families and community.”
As a result of all their advocacy and fundraising efforts, Piekarczyk and Daily were awarded with the inaugural Community Partnership Award at this month’s 12th annual One Iowa gala.
Since the variety of full-sized pies, slices, galettes, gluten-free mini pies and hand pies they bring to the Beaverdale Farmers Market every week are in such high demand, Pie Bird Pies is not currently accepting online orders. But after the market season wraps up on Sept. 14, they’re planning a few local pop-ups this fall, and you can keep up with all future events and ordering opportunities by following the brand on Instagram at @piebirdpies or on facebook.com/piebirdpies.
