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(Lander, WY) – Lander resident Jake Perkinson serves up freshly baked sourdough goods through his business, Lander Bread Share, and can often be spotted at the local farmer’s markets.
In addition to grabbing a loaf of bread or a pastry (or maybe both) at the farmer’s market, he offers online ordering for one-off orders or you can sign-up for a month of weekly deliveries to anywhere in the 82520.
Sourdough loaf options include a regular country and a whole wheat version. He also offers a few different pastries including croissants.
Earlier this year, he moved this small bakery operation from his home to a space located at 135 N. 2nd Street. While this location does not operate as a storefront, you can pick up your orders there at the designated times.
Jake’s journey to bread baking began by helping his mom when he was little, he shared. And over the past 10 years, he has regularly baked sourdough bread at home. This is also about how long he worked for Lander-based NOLS before founding the Lander Bread Share in 2020.
“It’s a really fun job, but it’s a lot of traveling and I wanted to be in town more,” he shared about being an international NOLS field instructor.
He calculated about six months out of the year he was on the road as an instructor and hoped to find something that allowed him to travel less yet still find enjoyment – the Lander Bread Share fit the bill. It also leaves some flexibility for him to afternoon rock climb since he’s usually at the bakery in the early morning hours.
The bread is baked fresh on the mornings of the pick-up/delivery days – Tuesdays and Fridays – however, the process begins two evenings earlier.
For Tuesday, he starts mixing on Sunday night, Monday is long and slow fermentation, and that evening he cold-proofs. Finally into the oven bright and early Tuesday before the goods head out into the world.
Opening Lander Bread Share has also allowed Jake the opportunity to know more members of the Lander community.
“I think my favorite part has been getting to see everyone at the farmer’s market and those who pick it up in person and getting to know those people,” he said.
He hopes to continue to grow the Lander Bread Share over time by growing his fleet of equipment and selling the goods at more places.
“I think what I don’t have in the really nice equipment I just make up for with a little bit more labor and planning, a little bit earlier mornings,” he explained.
In the meantime, he said the classic sourdough loaf is his favorite and enjoys cutting is up into little pieces and putting it out with oil and vinegar and spices as an appetizer or making sandwiches or toast for breakfast with it.
“Give it a try, and see if you like it,” he noted.
You can do just that by visiting his website landerbread.com. You can also check the delicious-looking baked goods on the Lander Bread Share Instagram page.
