Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery Introduce
In a state like New Jersey, where quality and craft are highly valued, the search for truly exceptional baked goods often leads locals to small, dedicated establishments. Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery in Rutherford stands out not just as a Bakery, but as a testament to the art of traditional bread-making. This hidden gem has quickly become a pilgrimage site for those who understand and appreciate the superior texture, complex flavor, and wholesome quality of authentic sourdough made with premium ingredients.
Living Bread is more than just a place to buy a loaf; it is a commitment to quality, a philosophy centered on freshness, locality, and organic integrity. The bakery specializes entirely in artisan sourdough, a demanding craft that yields bread with a signature "Crunchy outside, fluffy and soft inside." This dedication to perfection in texture and taste is why customers proclaim it the "most amazing sourdough bread I’ve ever had."
What truly sets Living Bread apart in the New Jersey food scene is its unwavering commitment to the "farm to table" ethos. Reviewers consistently praise the bakery for using locally sourced wheat from a local farm, milled in-house. This process, using organic freshly milled local flour, ensures an unparalleled level of freshness and traceability that health-conscious and ingredient-aware consumers crave. The dedication of owner Yelena, who is described as "super kind and passionate about what she does," is the heart of this successful small business.
The bakery is a point of pride for the community, identifying as a Small business and one that is women-owned. This combination of high-quality, conscientious sourcing, and personal passion creates a product so superior that patrons enthusiastically "drive 25 minutes to get this bread and it’s so worth it." The simplicity of their offering—focused mainly on bread—allows them to achieve perfection in every loaf, making it the "testiest sourdough in the NJ area (and beyond)."
Living Bread is located at 19 Franklin Pl REAR, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA. Its address, specifically noted as being in the "REAR" of 19 Franklin Place, suggests an intimate, perhaps slightly tucked-away location, adding to its "hidden gem" appeal that loyal customers adore. Patrons should look for the address on Franklin Place and note the designation to ensure a smooth pickup experience.
The bakery’s service model is streamlined for efficiency and focused on the product itself. Given its specialization and small business nature, the service option is solely Takeout. This focused approach guarantees that every interaction is quick and centered on providing a freshly baked product directly to the customer.
While the provided information does not detail specific parking, its location in a mixed-use area of Rutherford suggests that customers should rely on local parking infrastructure, which may include street parking in the immediate vicinity or nearby public parking areas. Given that customers are willing to "drive 25 minutes" to visit, a short walk is a minor consideration for the quality received.
Due to the nature of a dedicated takeout bakery, it is assumed that customers will complete their transactions efficiently, often with cash or major digital payment methods, typical of local small businesses, though specific payment options are not listed in the available data.
The service model at Living Bread is intentionally streamlined to maintain the highest product quality and to handle demand efficiently.
- Takeout: The exclusive service option, ensuring fresh bread is handed directly to the customer for immediate enjoyment at home.
- Specialty Baking: Focuses on artisan sourdough, allowing for mastery of this complex bread-making process.
- Ingredient-Sourcing Transparency: A commitment to using organic freshly milled local flour and always fresh & organic herbs, olives, cherry tomatoes, appealing to customers who prioritize knowing where their food comes from.
The highlights of Living Bread are entirely centered on its exceptional ingredients, the specialized product, and the personal commitment of its owner.
- True Farm-to-Table Baking: Utilizes locally sourced wheat from a local farm, milled for unparalleled freshness and flavor.
- Superior Sourdough Quality: The bread is consistently praised for having a "Crunchy outside, fluffy and soft inside," making it perfect "plain, with butter, cheese, or all combined."
- Signature Loaves: Features customer absolute favorites, including the focaccia with tomatoes and olives and the sesame sourdough loaf.
- Women-Owned Small Business: Reflects a dedicated, personal operation led by Yelena, who is known to be "super kind and passionate."
- Organic Ingredients: Commitment to using organic freshly milled local flour and organic herbs, olives, cherry tomatoes demonstrates a focus on high-quality, health-conscious offerings.
- Product Focus: By specializing in sourdough and focaccia, the bakery delivers the "testiest sourdough in the NJ area."
For specific hours of operation, to inquire about availability of specialty loaves, or for general questions about the ingredients used in the baking process, please note the following contact information for the Rutherford location:
Address: 19 Franklin Pl REAR, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA
Phone: The provided data does not include a phone number. Customers should rely on visiting the physical location or checking the official website (not provided) for the most current information.
Mobile Phone: The provided data does not include a mobile phone number.
Note: Customers are advised to check the bakery’s dedicated online channels for updates on hours and availability, as the sole focus is on the in-person Takeout experience.
Choosing Living Bread is a decision to prioritize artisanal quality, ethical sourcing, and genuine passion over mere convenience. For New Jersey locals who understand the profound difference high-quality flour and a dedicated sourdough culture make, this bakery is truly worth the trip.
Unmatched Ingredient Quality:
The commitment to organic and local flour is a massive distinguishing factor. The term "farm to table" is often used lightly, but here it is literal: the wheat is locally sourced, freshly milled, and then transformed by Yelena's expertise. This careful sourcing translates directly into the bread's flavor profile, offering a rich, nuanced taste that cannot be replicated by commercial bakeries. If you "care about where the ingredients come from," Living Bread is unequivocally the best choice.
The Perfect Loaf:
The bread itself is the definitive reason for the visit. It is highly recommended to try the customer favorites:
- Sesame Sourdough Loaf: A classic sourdough base perfected by the bakery's artisan process.
- Focaccia with Tomatoes and Olives: A richer, flavorful delight utilizing fresh & organic herbs, olives, cherry tomatoes on a perfect bread base.
The quality is so high that patrons consider it the "testiest sourdough in the NJ area (and beyond)," proclaiming that it’s "perfect plain, with butter, cheese, or all combined." The resulting product is one that a New Jersey resident will willingly "drive 25 minutes" to obtain, recognizing that the effort is "so worth it." Living Bread is the premier small, women-owned business in Rutherford providing a rare, authentic, and delicious sourdough experience.
Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
- Small business
Service options
- Takeout
Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery Photos










Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery Location
Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery
19 Franklin Pl REAR, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA
Living Bread - artisan sourdough bakery Reviews
focacciaingredientssourdough cookieschocolateherbsolivesflour
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The most amazing sourdough bread I’ve ever had. My husband said the same thing. Locally sourced wheat from a local farm, milled. Literally farm to table. Yelena is also super kind and passionate about what she does. I highly recommend her bread. I drive 25minutes to get this bread and it’s so worth it.
June 28 · Grace HatfieldThe testiest sourdough in the NJ area (and beyond). Crunchy outside, fluffy and soft inside. Perfect plain, with butter, cheese, or all combined.And, if you, like me, care about where the ingredients come from, Living Bread is the best sourdough loaf you can ask for. They use organic freshly milled local flour and always fresh & organic herbs, olives, cherry tomatoes and more.My absolute favs are focaccia with tomatoes and olives, and sesame sourdough loaf.
March 25 · Tetiana BronitskaI may regret not gatekeeping this bakery, but I’d be remiss to not highlight something special happening in Rutherford. I frequent the top bakeries in NYC and the tri-state, and this is by far the highest quality sourdough (or overall bread) you will find in NJ. It’s clear they’re putting careful attention into each loaf, and Living Bread is getting better at their craft with every bake. The country sourdough, olives and herbed, and the rye is the best I have come across (plus guilt free because it’s so healthy) and I am impressed every week to pick up my loaf to find a tastier bake. They’re also finally on Shopify! Excited for what’s to come.
March 22 · Patrick DunneLiving Bread offers a variety of well-presented and delicious baked goods. The chocolate chunk sourdough cookies are a must, as is the herb focaccia. I recently tried the country sourdough, which hit the perfect balance between crusty and comforting. Be warned – I happily devoured half the loaf in one sitting. If you're in the mood for quality bread, this is it. You won’t be disappointed.
October 16 · WalidSimply the best! The dark chocolate/strawberry sourdough is my favorite. I can gobble the whole thing in one night if you let me.
July 28 · Erin Rodriguez
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