Front Porch Baking Co.

Introduction / Overview

Nestled right in the heart of the community, Front Porch Baking Co. is much more than just a place to grab a loaf of bread—it is a true neighborhood bakery built on principles of quality, community, and transparency. Located in Millersville, PA, this unique establishment, owned by baker Kristen Richards, specializes in grain-forward baking. This means every bread and pastry is crafted with a focus on showcasing the complex flavors and nutritional benefits of whole grains, primarily using 100% organic, Pennsylvania-grown grain and flour.

The mission of Front Porch Baking Co. goes beyond delicious food; it’s about providing nourishing breads and pastries to Lancaster County while fostering lasting relationships with customers. The bakery's offerings reflect a deep personal history, with the owner drawing inspiration from the traditional European recipes taught by her German grandmother, resulting in a unique blend of heritage and modern craft. This dedication to craft is most evident in their signature breads, all of which are naturally leavened—a process that takes a minimum of three days and involves collecting wild, natural yeast, eliminating the need for commercial yeast, additives, or preservatives.

From crusty sourdough loaves, including the much-celebrated Valley Blonde batard, to small-batch pastries like cinnamon rolls and seasonal European-inspired treats, Front Porch Baking Co. has established itself as an essential stop for high-quality, conscientiously made baked goods. This commitment to superior product quality and a genuine human connection has earned the bakery significant recognition, including being named for having some of the Best Bread in Every State in 2022 by Food & Wine magazine.

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Location and Accessibility

Front Porch Baking Co. proudly operates a dedicated retail location in the Millersville area, making it a convenient stop for local residents and visitors to the southern Lancaster County region.

The main retail storefront is situated at 513 Leaman Avenue, Millersville, PA 17551, specifically located within the Millersville Center. The bakery is designed to be a welcoming and accessible space for all members of the community.

The current retail operating hours are typically focused on the busiest days for baking and community shopping:

• Wednesday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• The bakery is closed on Sundays and Mondays for rest and preparation.

Accessibility is prioritized, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible car park to ensure ease of entry for every customer. For those driving, a free parking lot is available, allowing for a stress-free and quick visit. Payment options are modern and convenient, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

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Services Offered

The bakery offers several key services focused on quality and convenience, ensuring customers can access their nourishing products easily:

• In-store Shopping: Customers are invited to browse the daily selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, and desserts, often available in an open-kitchen environment where they can see the baking process.
• Takeaway: All items are prepared and packaged for easy takeaway, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or bringing home artisanal goods.
• In-store Pick-up: The bakery encourages pre-ordering through its website for popular items like their daily sourdough loaves, ensuring customers can quickly pick up their reserved goods.
• Delivery: Front Porch Baking Co. utilizes delivery services and has historically offered local, personalized home delivery, reinforcing its 'front porch' name and community connection.
• Custom Orders and Special Items: The bakery accepts special orders for events or occasions and provides unique items like sourdough-based pizza dough, quiches, and a rotating soup of the week (often available Wednesday through Friday), expanding beyond traditional sweets to offer healthy lunch options.
• Wholesale and Community Partnerships: Front Porch Baking Co. partners with other local businesses and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) for distribution, including a bread and pastry share add-on for local CSA programs.
• Coffee Service: Fresh, hot coffee is available, providing the perfect pairing for their wide selection of pastries and morning buns.

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Features / Highlights

What sets Front Porch Baking Co. apart is its principled approach to baking and strong roots in the local community. These highlights demonstrate why the bakery has become a recognized institution in Lancaster County:

• Grain-Forward and Local Sourcing: The business bakes with 100% organic, PA-grown grain and flour, sourced from local millers like Small Valley Milling and Castle Valley Milling. This commitment helps support local regenerative agriculture and ensures that wealth stays within the Pennsylvania ecosystem.
• Naturally Leavened Breads: All breads are made using a natural wild yeast starter over a three-day process, which eliminates commercial yeast and additives, resulting in loaves with superior flavor complexity, digestibility, and texture.
• European-Inspired Baking: The menu features traditional European recipes, including German influences from the owner's grandmother, such as stollen and rye breads, blending Old World techniques with local ingredients.
• Award-Winning Quality: The bakery has been nationally recognized, including being listed by Food & Wine magazine for making some of the Best Bread in Every State.
• Community and Ethical Values: The business identifies as women-owned and actively promotes values such as Grainy Education and Community Connection, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment that is LGBTQ+ friendly. They also organize community events, like annual bake sales to support local non-profits.
• PA Preferred Status: The bakery is proud to use the PA Preferred label, signifying that their products are made entirely with Pennsylvania-sourced ingredients.

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Contact Information

For local customers in the Millersville and Lancaster County area, you can easily reach the bakery or visit the retail storefront:

Retail Location Address:

513 Leaman Avenue, Millersville, PA 17551

Phone Number:

717-746-8506 (Please note, the business often prefers email contact, but voicemails can be left at this number.)

Online Information:

Visit their official website for pre-ordering, current hours, and the weekly menu schedule.

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What is Worth Choosing

Choosing a single item at Front Porch Baking Co. can be a delightful challenge, but several products truly embody the bakery's grain-forward philosophy and commitment to flavor. For first-time visitors or dedicated bread lovers in the region, focusing on their specialty loaves and signature pastries is highly recommended.

The foundational bread of the business, the Valley Blonde loaf, is a must-try. This naturally leavened, rustic batard shape is made with 40% whole grain and is available every day the bakery is open. It’s the perfect representation of their philosophy, showcasing how local, high-quality grain translates into complex flavor.

Beyond the classic, their flavored sourdough loaves often sell out quickly. The savory Roasted Garlic Parmesan Rosemary sourdough is a popular weekly staple, blending fragrant herbs and rich cheese into their tangy, crusty dough. For a spicy-sweet combination, the Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough is a crowd-pleaser, particularly when paired with honey butter.

On the sweeter side, the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls offer a tangy twist on a breakfast classic. The slow fermentation of the sourdough adds a unique depth of flavor to the sweet cinnamon swirls, and customers can choose between a classic cream cheese or vanilla buttercream icing.

Don't overlook their small-batch desserts and pastries. The sourdough cookies, available in flavors like Chocolate Chip, S’mores, and White Chocolate Macadamia, are a consistent best-seller. Finally, for those seeking convenient, family-friendly options, grabbing a batch of their sourdough-based pizza dough ensures a perfect, flavorful crust for your next homemade pizza night, carrying the quality of Front Porch Baking Co. right into your kitchen.

Front Porch Baking Co.