Free Bread Inc. gluten-free bread for everyone

We paid an interesting visit to Free Bread Inc. this morning. The company, which bakes and sells gluten-free bread, is run by Karen Freer. In 2008 Karen was diagnosed with celiac disease, meaning she could no longer eat anything containing gluten. During her new diet, she realized that New York missed good, crusty gluten-free bread. At home, she started baking her own. A friend told her to start selling it and gave Karen the first fifty dollars to set up her new business.  Karen was driven to realize her company and heard about the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. Within three days, she launched her campaign without any preparation to raise $10,500.

The campaign started in 2011 and lasted 100 days. Karen posted a video almost everyday promoting Free Bread Inc. and provided regular updates on Facebook. During the campaign, she developed a business plan and worked on recipes. In Karen’s case, most of the donations she received came from friends and family. She told us that all of the 95 funders received a handwritten thank-you-letter. So next to baking, Karen spent a significant amount of time writing. Other rewards included free hugs (apparently the biggest, goofiest and most ridiculous hug possible), babysit service and a garage clean. The latter was never performed, because who in New York owns a garage? She managed to reach her goal with a final amount of $10,771.

The money raised was sufficient to acquire all the necessary equipment, ingredients, and the rent for a workplace. Free Bread Inc. is now located in the Organic Food Incubator. This facility rents out spaces for startups that aim to sell organic food and drinks. Karen’s gluten-free bread is produced here, together with other products such as organic juices and ice-cream. These different entrepreneurs often work together by providing each other with (parts of) their products.

The atmosphere was great. After a tour of the Organic Food Incubator, we had the chance to try Karen’s amazing Moxy rolls and she was so kind to send us home with an entire loaf of bread! Three years after the campaign, Free Bread Inc. is still up and running and even growing. To see the delicious breads they sell, visit www.freebreadinc.com!