about the team

One of the most exciting elements of foma is that we’re a family business! Originally from the Northeast, the Gillans moved to Central Virginia in the late 90s to manage an organic farm and try out rural life. Growing up and falling in love with the area, the whole group decided to stay, set up roots, and support the Charlottesville community by making and baking food that celebrates homegrown ingredients and sustainable farming practices.

In 2013, The Gillans decided to take on their next adventure as a team: shortbread! The little things shortbread were born from a desire to provide snackable, shareable, and giftable treats with a sensible shelf life, excluding preservatives and additives, and never ever sacrificing flavor.

Expanding in 2016, the bakeshop moved to a new spot in belmont and opened its doors to the public to stop by to grab a cookie jar or two, pick up some tasty quiches or traybakes, or browse a carefully curated collection of small made goods and gifts.

While everyone gets roped in in some way or another, on the average day you’ll find Cindy, Elliott, Kelsey, and Taylor in the kitchen, behind the counter, or fulfilling orders to keep the wheels turning.

Always making conscious choices, anything that comes out of the kitchen includes regional herbs, berries, honey, and eggs whenever possible and other clean sourced ingredients such as organic butter, sugar, and flour to make up the rest. All recipes have been developed, produced, and packaged by the Gillan family.