When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life across New Jersey in 2020, &grain owner John Ropelski found a way for a bakery to do what bakeries have done for generations: feed people.
What began with donating leftover bread to help local families grew into a free bread program for people facing layoffs, financial uncertainty and other hardships during an extraordinarily difficult period.
Fresh Bread for Neighbors Who Needed It
As the pandemic intensified, &grain began offering bread to members of the community who needed help. There was no requirement for people to prove hardship.
John and the &grain team continued baking at our Garwood bakery, preparing bread for the people requesting it while simultaneously navigating the enormous challenges the pandemic created for a small restaurant business.
The idea was simple. &grain knew how to bake bread, and people in the community needed food.
The initiative eventually attracted the attention of New Jersey Monthly, which told the story of John’s efforts and the community that rallied around the program.
Read the full story from New Jersey Monthly.
Bread Is Still at the Heart of &grain
The circumstances that created the free bread initiative were extraordinary, but bread remains fundamental to who we are.
Today, customers can explore our bread and pastry selection or stop by for breakfast and lunch made with the breads coming out of our bakery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the &grain free bread program?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, &grain provided free bread to people in the community experiencing hardship, with no proof of need required.
Who started the free bread program?
The initiative was launched by &grain owner John Ropelski and supported by the bakery and its surrounding community.
Where is &grain located?
&grain is an artisan bakery and cafe located at 700 North Avenue in Garwood, New Jersey.
Does &grain bake its own bread?
Yes. Bread is baked at &grain and remains central to the bakery and cafe menu.
Where can I read the original story about the program?
New Jersey Monthly published an in-depth story about &grain’s free bread initiative in April 2020. The original article is linked above.