A Simple Toast To Start The New Year

2025 wrapped year number 43 for us at Bread Alone, and it was a rewarding one. A year marked by the simple, deep impact of doing our work well over time.

We served so many of you through our Hudson Valley cafés and NYC farmers markets. We served millions more with organic sourdough bread through our grocery partners. And here at home in the Hudson Valley, we are now providing bread to area schools—made with 100% locally grown and milled whole wheat.

Behind every loaf baked, every delivery made, and every partnership launched is an extraordinary and deeply committed Bread Alone team. A team that, as always, showed up and made challenging work look easy. A team now more than 300 strong!

It can be a complicated world outside our little bakery, but we work hard to keep complexity in check by staying focused on a humble goal: feeding people simple, honest food.

Our work is a reminder that good things need not be complex things. That in a complicated world, focus may be the best salve. There are many ways to enjoy good bread, but simple toast with butter may just be the best.   

Looking ahead to 2026, our path remains clear. We’ll continue building momentum both at home and beyond. We’ll stay rooted locally while taking on the challenge of feeding people well outside the Catskills. We’ll meet the complexity of the work with continued focus on the simplicity of the goal.

Thank you to everyone who was part of our work in 2025. We’re just getting started.  

Break Bread, Make Peace!
Nels Leader

CEO, Bread Alone