08/09/2026
Every once in a while, I hear some version of: “$12 for a loaf? I can get sourdough somewhere else for $10.” And you absolutely can. There are wonderful bakers out there, and everyone should buy the bread that works best for their family and their budget… But I thought it might be helpful to explain that price reflects much more than flour and water. I choose to use organic flours, and all organic ingredients whenever possible. I buy grass fed butter, organic milk, olive oil and herbs, raw organic honey, etc.. because those choices matter to me when I prepare my sourdough.
Then there is the part you don’t see:
The hours spent feeding and maintaining starter (mine is fed 2x per day and kept in my sourdough home, shout out to Brod & Taylor 🙌🏼) Then there’s the mixing, the stretch and folds, bulk fermentation (which is always tricky with weather conditions, even as an experienced sourdough baker), dividing, weighing, shaping, cold proofing, scoring, baking, and packaging.. oh boy the packaging! 😮💨 That’s a whole other conversation with creating labels, making sure I have the proper bags, etc.
Honorable mention to the constant:
Cleaning. Planning. Shopping. Equipment maintenance. Market and licensing fees. Packaging costs. Electricity (!!!!!)
And perhaps most importantly, there is the fact that I am one person doing all of it. i have no production team; there isn’t a warehouse, etc. This isn’t a commercial bakery running dozens of loaves at once and employees doing various tasks. It’s just me. 💁♀️ I make every loaf by hand, in small batches, with ingredients I genuinely believe in. Could I make bread for less? Absolutely. But it would require me to change some of the things that are important to me and that’s just not going to happen.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support small businesses, local farms, and my microbakery. Another “almost sellout” yesterday- my last cranberry walnut was gifted to one of my favorite vendor friends. Market season is my favorite, but your girl is tired and looking forward to a much needed week off. 🤍
