Bread Alone Unveils $4M Net-Zero Energy Facility, The First Commercial Bakery in the US to Operate on 100% Renewable Energy
In Response to the Urgent Call for Climate Action, Bread Alone’s Net-Zero Bakery Accelerates Companywide Vision to Source 100% of its Energy Through Renewable Sources.
BOICEVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2022 – Bread Alone Bakery, the family-owned, values-driven 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.
The bakery will be able to produce (net) all of the energy they utilize on-site thanks to a 366kW on-site solar array. The completely electrified building will be powered by this renewable energy, which will include Heuft electric ovens, induction stovetops, air-source heat pumps, and designed air movement. In addition to the Heuft ovens, the Boiceville bakery will use renewable scrap wood to fuel the original Andre Lefort wood-fired brick ovens.
“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.”
The net-zero bakery and cafe, which reopened in the heart of the Catskills, is Bread Alone’s largest move yet on their aggressive trajectory to emphasize stewardship of the world in every decision and activity. Following the installation of solar panels on its Kingston headquarters, the establishment of long-standing cooperation with 1 percent for the Planet and Climate Reality Project, and becoming Certified Climate Neutral, Bread Alone has completed the net-zero energy facility.
Bread Alone will continue to honor its history and the craft of traditional baking through its new bakery and cafe, while also supporting local organic agriculture. The Boiceville facility, which was formed with the goal of connecting to land and nature as well as the local Catskills community, will bake with grain grown and milled in the area and cook with ingredients from local farmers. Their Kingston facility will continue to make organic bread for wholesale distribution throughout the Northeast.
“Serving our guests healthy food was baked into our mission from the start,” said Sharon Burns-Leader, Chief Operating Officer of Bread Alone. “We began one loaf at a time, but as our skill 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.”
Located in Boiceville, New York, Bread Alone’s new bakery and cafe will be open for service Friday – Sunday, 7 am to 5 pm, and Monday – Thursday 7 am to 3 pm. To learn more about Bread Alone, the net-zero energy facility in Boiceville, and the bakery’s sustainability efforts, please visit BreadAlone.com.
Bread Alone is a family-owned, values-driven bakery that has been baking with organic grains since its first loaf in 1983, and continues to do so today. Bread Alone’s purpose is to serve honest food, create prosperity for its people, and minimize further harm to the planet. The bakery aspires to set an example, to reach more people with their actions than they can feed with their foods.
SOURCE Bread Alone