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Standard Baking Co.75 Commercial St, Portland

Bread

Naturally leavened bread, baked daily in Portland, Maine

Standard Baking Co. bakes slow fermented, naturally leavened bread every morning at 75 Commercial Street in Portland, Maine.

The Standard Baking Co. bread lineup runs from a $4.50 hand shaped baguette to the $8.50 marinated olive loaf, with the naturally leavened boule at $7.00 as its signature round loaf. Breads use Maine-grown heritage grains where possible and are also supplied wholesale to local restaurants.

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Order ahead onlineCall 207-773-2112

Where can I buy fresh artisan bread in Portland, Maine?

Buy it at Standard Baking Co. on Commercial Street, open 7:30am to 5pm every day. Its bakers focus on slow, natural fermentation, the technique founder Alison Pray learned during a Boston bakery apprenticeship before the bakery opened in 1995.

Slow fermentation gives bread more flavor, a crackling crust and an open crumb. It takes longer, which is why the bakery starts early so loaves are ready when the doors open.

Standard Baking Co. breads and rolls compared
BreadPriceStyleBest for
Boule$7.00Naturally leavened round loaf, also as a pan loafTearing at the table, toast, bread pudding
Baguette$4.50Slow fermented, hand shaped French baguetteCheese boards, dinner, sandwiches
Normandy$6.75Buttery white pan loaf, firm crumb, soft crustSandwiches and French toast
Marinated olive loaf$8.50Black and green olives in a ciabatta style doughAntipasti and soups
Italian roll$2.00Crusty roll with an open crumbIndividual sandwiches
Asiago fougasse$3.50French flatbread with asiago and black pepperSnacking
Marinated olive roll$3.00Northern Italian style dough with house olivesA savory side
Brioche roll$2.75Egg and butter rich, Fridays and Saturdays onlyBurgers and breakfast

Prices as listed on the Standard Baking Co. online shop, as of October 2026. The sesame spelt loaf and 100% organic miche are also baked; check the shop for current prices.

Definition

What does naturally leavened mean at Standard Baking Co.?

Naturally leavened bread rises with a living culture of wild yeast and bacteria rather than relying only on packaged yeast. At Standard Baking Co., the boule is made with nothing more than unbleached white flour, local sifted and whole wheat flour, water and sea salt. The long, slow fermentation develops a deeper flavor, a thicker crust and better keeping quality, and leftovers make excellent toast, stuffing or bread pudding. Other breads, like the baguette, use a little yeast but still get a slow ferment and are shaped by hand.

How to

How to keep a crusty loaf fresh

  1. Store crusty loaves cut side down on a board, or in a paper bag, for the first day.
  2. Avoid the refrigerator, which stales bread faster.
  3. To freeze, slice first and wrap tightly. Toast slices straight from the freezer.
  4. Refresh a whole loaf in a hot oven for a few minutes to crisp the crust.
  5. Turn the last pieces into croutons or bread pudding.

Bread questions

See all questions in the FAQ

What is naturally leavened bread?

Naturally leavened bread rises with a living culture of wild yeast and bacteria, often called a sourdough starter, instead of relying only on packaged yeast. The slow fermentation builds flavor, a crisp crust and an open crumb. Standard Baking Co. bakes naturally leavened loaves such as its boule every day in Portland, Maine.

What breads does Standard Baking Co. bake?

Standard Baking Co. bakes the boule, a hand shaped baguette, the Normandy pan loaf, a marinated olive loaf, a sesame spelt loaf and a 100% organic miche. Rolls include the Italian roll, asiago fougasse, marinated olive roll and brioche roll. Breads are slow fermented and made with local grains where possible.

How much is a baguette at Standard Baking Co.?

A baguette at Standard Baking Co. costs $4.50. It is a slow fermented, hand shaped version of the classic French baguette, with a thin, crisp crust and a creamy, open crumb. The ingredients are simply wheat flour, water, salt and yeast.

Where can I get sourdough bread in Portland, Maine?

For sourdough style bread in Portland, Maine, try the boule at Standard Baking Co., 75 Commercial Street. It is a crusty, naturally leavened round loaf made with unbleached white flour, local sifted and whole wheat flour, water and sea salt, $7.00. It also comes in a pan loaf shape.

When are brioche rolls available?

Standard Baking Co. makes brioche rolls only on Fridays and Saturdays. They cost $2.75 each and are made with unbleached wheat flour, unsalted butter, local whole eggs, cane sugar, yeast and salt. If you order online, choose a Friday or Saturday pickup date to include them.

Which bread is best for sandwiches?

For sandwiches, the Normandy loaf is a strong pick at Standard Baking Co. It is a buttery white pan loaf with a firm crumb and soft crust, $6.75, and also makes excellent French toast. For individual sandwiches, the crusty Italian roll at $2.00 has an open crumb built for fillings.

Back to the guide to the best bakery in Portland, Maine

Reserve a loaf for tomorrow

Order online for pickup at 75 Commercial Street, or call the bakery.

Order ahead onlineCall 207-773-2112Get directions