History
It all began back in the 1970s. Our founders, Pete and Laura Wakeman, were just a couple of college kids who baked amazing scratch-made whole grain bread to help pay their tuition at Cornell University. Newly married in 1975, the adventurous couple hiked the entire north-south length of Montana. They never left and they established the first Great Harvest Bakery in Great Falls. Word spread fast about their uniquely flavorful bread made with pure-and-simple ingredients and wheat purchased from local farmers. It didn't take long before neighbors asked about starting up their own Great Harvest. In 1978, the freedom franchise was born and the next bakery opened in Kalispell, Montana. Slowly and organically, Great Harvest began to grow into the nation's first family of independently owned and operated whole grain bread bakeries. Authenticity, a spirit of camaraderie and individuality remain the foundation of the organization.
Specialties
At Great Harvest Bread Co., five pure-and-simple ingredients are the hallmark of our legendary whole grain breads: Fresh-ground whole wheat flour Water Fresh yeast Salt Something sweet (usually a local honey) We believe bread is best when you keep it simple. It's even better when you use the highest quality ingredients you can find. You can taste it and your body benefits from it. Just like fresh-ground coffee beans make a better cup of coffee, fresh-ground grains of wheat make a better tasting -- and better for you -- loaf of bread. Thanks to our special scratch-made process, our classic breads still stay fresh for up to ten days (if you can keep your hands off it that long!).