When you choose Alvarado Street Bakery, you’re choosing organic sprouted whole wheat bread baked with purpose, by the people who own it, for the communities they serve, and with deep respect for the planet.

Our bakery is in Petaluma, CA - in the heart of Sonoma County. Born in Northern California in 1977, we are rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area’s “Food for People, Not for Profit” movement. While our bread is enjoyed nationwide, our heart, and our bakery remain in California.

Alvarado Street Bakery stands apart for our commitment to organic sprouted whole wheat bread, simple ingredients, and people-first values. We sprout our organic whole wheat berries on-site, bake using traditional methods, and operate as a 100% employee-owned cooperative. Every loaf is thoughtfully made to nourish both people and planet.

Sprouted whole wheat bread is made from whole wheat berries that have been soaked in our bakery and allowed to germinate. This natural process “wakes up” the grain, helping unlock nutrients, improve digestibility, and enhance flavor. We then use the sprouted grains to create a mash used in our products - different from some other brands that use refined flour as their first ingredient!

Sprouted whole wheat berries are the first ingredient in all of our products, because it transforms them in ways your body can appreciate:

• Easier to digest, as sprouting begins breaking down complex starches
• Lower glycemic impact, supporting more balanced blood sugar response with a slow release carb
• Enhanced nutrient availability, unlocking naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in each grain of whole wheat
• Increased dietary fiber, as sprouting raises the level of soluble fiber to help make grains more gut-friendly

Yes, in the best way!  Sprouted whole wheat brings out the wheat’s natural sweetness and nutty flavor, allowing us to bake bread with rich taste and depth. It also creates a soft, tender crumb with satisfying structure.

Yes. All Alvarado Street Bakery breads and bagels are USDA Certified Organic and made with non-GMO ingredients.

Yes. Our breads are vegan-friendly, made without animal-derived ingredients.

No. We bake without artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or unnecessary additives, just simple, honest ingredients and time-honored baking methods.

Allergens that are NEVER used in our bakery facility include: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs & Dairy.

Yes, we are freezer friendly by nature!  Sprouted whole wheat retains more moisture than conventional flour, which helps our breads and bagels stay soft and delicious even after freezing and thawing.

When we were thinking on a name to call the bakery we ran a "name the bakery" contest in the local community. But as we sat there pondering a choice someone said, "Hey, why not Alvarado Street Bakery just like the sign sitting on top of the ingredient bags?" (an Alvarado Street sign from Los Angeles had found its way into the bakery from a slight fender bender done by a co-worker). The name resonated and we knew that this was the name for us. The original Alvarado Street sign still remains in our bakery as a talisman of our good fortune.

That cat’s name was Greta and in our early founding days, she lived in and around the bakery.  She could be found sleeping by the Alvarado street sign, hence our original logo design.  These days, on our new packaging – we woke her back up with a little smile and a wink to say hello to you!

Being an employee-owned cooperative means the people who bake, package, and deliver our bread also own the business. This shared ownership empowers us to prioritize quality, sustainability, and long-term values over shortcuts or short-term profits.

Sustainability has been part of our ethos since day one. We:

• Have partially operated on solar power since 2010, generating over 4.3 million kWh of renewable energy
• Donate surplus bread to reduce food waste and support local communities
• Divert additional surplus to animal feed programs
• In 2025 alone, we donated over 31,000 pounds of food to our local food banks.

Yes. We are proud to be a Certified California Green Business, meeting rigorous environmental standards for energy use, waste reduction, and sustainable operations.

Our certifications reflect our long-standing commitment to responsible baking:

• USDA Certified Organic
• Certified California Green Business
• Non-GMO Ingredients
• Vegan-Friendly Breads
• Kosher Pareve
• Employee-Owned Cooperative