Bread Alone Unveils USD4m Facility that Operates on 100% Renewable Energy

Bread Alone Bakery, the family-owned bakery and pioneer of artisan bread baking, announces today the re-opening of its Boiceville Bakery & Cafe. A revitalization of Bread Alone’s original bakery that first opened its doors in Boiceville, New York in 1983, the location reopens as an 8,000 sq ft net-zero energy facility and the first commercial bakery in the U.S. to operate on 100% renewable energy, without fossil fuels. The facility, which will serve as both a commercial bakery and cafe, will supply Bread Alone’s four Hudson Valley cafes, as well as its New York City farmer’s markets.

A 366kW on-site solar array will allow the bakery to renewably produce (net) all energy on-site that they consume. This renewable energy will be used to power the fully electrified building: Heuft electric ovens, induction stovetops, air source heat pumps, and engineered air flow. In addition to the Heuft ovens, the Boiceville bakery will bake breads in the original Andre Lefort wood-fired brick ovens, fueled by renewable scrap wood.

“The planet is warming and the consequences are real, especially for the least fortunate among us,” said Nels Leader, Chief Executive Officer 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.”