Bread Alone becomes first US commercial bakery to operate on 100% renewable energy

BACK TO ALL NEWS

Bread Alone becomes first US commercial bakery to operate on 100% renewable energy

16 Feb 2022

Liz Goodwin

Liz Goodwin is a Texas-born journalist and photographer. Although a Southerner at heart, she fell in love with the Midwest at the University of Missouri where she earned her bachelor's of journalism. When she’s not writing or behind a camera, she loves to cook, find new restaurants, and spend time outside. Her favorite baked goods include croissants and crackers, especially when topped with fig jam and brie.

BOICEVILLE, NY — Bread Alone Bakery, a family-owned bakery with an emphasis on values-based artisan bread baking, has announced the re-opening of its new commercial bakery and café that’s achieving a first: It operates on 100% renewable energy.

The 8,000 sq.-ft. facility is a net-zero energy operation that uses no fossil fuels. It’s a revitalization of their original bakery that first opened in 1983, bringing a rich history into the modern age while keeping the planet in mind. The bakery’s commercial operation supplies products its four Hudson Valley cafes, in addition to direct-to-consumer sales at area farmer’s markets.

The facility is solar powered and uses a 366kW on-site solar array to renewably produce the energy consumed on site. The bakery uses the power to operate a fully electric building including Heuft electric ovens, induction stovetops, air source heat pumps and engineered airflow. In addition to its electric ovens, the bakery still uses its original Andre Lefort wood-fired brick ovens, which are now fueled by renewable scrap wood.

“The planet is warming, and the consequences are real, especially for the least fortunate among us,” said Nels Leader, CEO and founding family member of Bread Alone. “This net-zero, carbon-neutral project is a response to the call for action, and we hope it is an inspiration to others to take actions of their own. Bread Alone has committed to the simple but ambitious purpose of creating equity for our people and minimizing harm to the planet. This project is an exciting milestone in pursuit of our purpose.”

The reopening of this location with its new green features follows the bakery’s installation of solar panels on its Kingston headquarters, which produces organic breads for wholesale distribution across the Northeast. The Boiceville bakery will continue baking with grain that is grown and milled in the region and cook with ingredients from regional producers.

“Serving our guests healthy food was baked into our mission from the start,” said Sharon Burns-Leader, COO of Bread Alone. “We began one loaf at a time, but as our skills and determination grew, so did our ambition. Boiceville was once our proving ground and is now our North Star — we are thrilled to serve the world a slice of what we believe to be our collective future and we invite everyone to join us.”

Advertisement

BACK TO ALL NEWS